Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games

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Number 7

Fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Date: 20 Jan 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Aurelio, Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant, Crouch (Bellamy 86), Kuyt (Gonzalez 90).

Subs: Dudek, Fowler, Hyypia.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number seven and a superb win over Chelsea from 2007.

Fantastic goals from Dirk Kuyt and Jermaine Pennant was the highlight of this 2-0 victory over Jose Mourinho's outfit.

Liverpool were fired up from the start and produced a tremendous display of attacking football.

Kuyt netted the opening goal after just four minutes with a brilliant finish and the second goal from Pennant was even better.

Essien's clearance fell to Pennant on the right edge of the penalty area, and the Reds number 16 chested the ball down before smashing an unstoppable right footed volley into the roof of the net.

John Arne Riise almost broke the crossbar with a ferocious second half effort from 35-yards out and Liverpool ended the game totally in control.

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Kuyt Goal

Pennant Goal

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Number 6

Fixture: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Date: 28 Nov 2004
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Kirkland, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Hamann, Gerrard, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle (Nunez 70).

Subs not used: Biscan, Diao, Dudek, Warnock.

We continue our countdown of ’Rafa’s 100 Greatest Premier League Games’ with number six and a ’Roy of the Rovers’ moment for Neil Mellor.

Liverpool beat the Gunners in the most dramatic way possible thanks to a last-gasp winner at the Kop end from Mellor.

The young striker, who had been scoring goals for fun in the reserve team, realised the sort of thing dreams are made of with the winning goal against the reigning Champions.

Liverpool were quite simply brilliant on the day and opened the scoring with a magnificent strike from Xabi Alonso. Mellor's good run took the defence away and Gerrard's superb pass found Alonso and the Spaniard fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Arsenal equalised 12 minutes into the second half with a goal of sublime quality. Patrick Vieira scored after an exchange of passes with Robert Pires.

However, Mellor's magic moment came deep into stoppage time when he smashed an unstoppable drive into the net to send Anfield wild with delight.

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Mellor Goal!!!

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Number 5

Fixture: Newcastle United 1-5 Liverpool
Date: 28 Dec 2008
Venue: St James' Park

Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Babel, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun (Alonso 60), Gerrard (Ngog 70), Kuyt (Skrtel 79).

Subs: Cavalieri, El Zhar, Keane, Riera.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number five and a great way to end 2008 at St James' Park.

Steven Gerrard and co were on fire in the North-East and it was only the heroics of Shay Given that prevented Liverpool rattling up a cricket score.

The Republic of Ireland stopper gave an awesome display of goalkeeping at its very best and at times it was Given v Liverpool.

He was finally beaten after 31 minutes when Gerrard smashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net after great work from Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun.

Sami Hyypia headed home to make it 2-0 before David Edgar pulled a goal back for the Toon Army just before the break.

However, the Reds continued to terrorise the Geordies defence in the second half and more goals were inevitable.

Ryan Babel made it 3-1 then Gerrard added a sublime fourth goal after a fantastic pass from Lucas.

Xabi Alonso came off the bench to net a penalty and seal a brilliant victory.

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Highlights

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Number 4

Fixture: Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
Date: 26 Oct 2008
Venue: Stamford Bridge

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa, Riera (Hyypia 89), Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Lucas 87), Gerrard, Keane (Babel 60).

Subs: Benayoun, Cavalieri, Dossena, Pennant.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number four and Xabi Alonso's winner at Chelsea.

Liverpool signalled their title credentials for 2008-09 with a brilliant victory at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso's 10th minute strike was enough to maintain the Reds' unbeaten start to the season and brought an end to the Blues' proud home run that had stretched to 86 matches undefeated.

It was also Liverpool's 600th top-flight victory on the road and halted a Chelsea hoodoo that had seen them win only once at the Bridge - in January 2004 - since the inauguration of the Premier League.

The Reds played so well on the day and thoroughly deserved the victory. Every player gave their all and Albert Riera gave Jose Bosingwa a tough time with some rampaging runs down the left flank.

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Highlights

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Number 3

Fixture: Liverpool 2-1 Man United
Date: 13 Sep 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera (Babel 71), Alonso, Mascherano (Hyypia 85), Benayoun (Gerrard 68), Keane, Kuyt.

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Ngog, Torres.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number three and a Ryan Babel inspired win over Manchester United.

This was a truly special victory over United, especially when you consider Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were only fit enough to make the bench after returning from injury.

The Reds were inspired and thoroughly deserved the win, and showed fantastic character after going a goal down.

Debutant Dimitar Berbatov set up Carlos Tevez to give the away side the lead, but Rafa's men roared back to level after an error from Edwin Van der Sar.

Xabi Alonso's 25-yard cross-cum-shot deflected off one United defender before a spill from van der Sar sent the ball into the net off Wes Brown's shin.

Javier Mascherano then played a major part in the winner, 12 minutes from time. His pressure down the right flank enabled Dirk Kuyt to roll the ball across the face of goal, where his countryman Babel put away to send Anfield wild with delight.

There was more late drama as the final whistle loomed when Nemanja Vidic was sent-off for elbowing Alonso.

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Highlights

[Red Bird]

Number 3

Fixture: Liverpool 2-1 Man United
Date: 13 Sep 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera (Babel 71), Alonso, Mascherano (Hyypia 85), Benayoun (Gerrard 68), Keane, Kuyt.

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Ngog, Torres.

So number 3, eh? Wonder #2 is? I think I know what number #1 is but I could well be surprised by Benitez. And Webb almost didn't send off Vidic!

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So number 3, eh? Wonder #2 is? I think I know what number #1 is but I could well be surprise by Benitez.

Number 1 has to be the demolishing of United at OT.

I have no idea which match will be Number 2.

[Red Bird]

Number 1 has to be the demolishing of United at OT.

I have no idea which match will be Number 2.... and thanks for the highlights, by the way. Have been enjoying them.

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... and thanks for the highlights, by the way. Have been enjoying them.

No problem. I have enjoyed putting this together. I hope other posters are finding it, because there is a good selection of highlights, pictures, and information.

Gives me some good memories (especially Mellor's goal!).

[Red Bird]

No problem. I have enjoyed putting this together. I hope other posters are finding it, because there is a good selection of highlights, pictures, and information.

Gives me some good memories (especially Mellor's goal!).

Yes, Mellor's goal was something, wasn't it? I also enjoyed Alonso's opener in that match; it's amazing how time flies.

[Suss]

Could number 2 be our win against Chelsea at Anfield last season? We kicked the crap out of them for 89 minutes before Torres finally scored to put us ahead. Then Torres added another to make it 2-0. Lampard was sent off in that game as well.

I'm surprised the 4-4 game against Arsenal was so high on the list. That could have easily been one of Rafa's 100 Worst Premier League Games.

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Could number 2 be our win against Chelsea at Anfield last season? We kicked the crap out of them for 89 minutes before Torres finally scored to put us ahead. Then Torres added another to make it 2-0. Lampard was sent off in that game as well.

I'm surprised the 4-4 game against Arsenal was so high on the list. That could have easily been one of Rafa's 100 Worst Premier League Games.

The Torres-Chelsea one was already on the list...I think.

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NUMBER 2

Fixture: Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal
Date: 31 Mar 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa, Gonzalez (Zenden 69), Alonso, Mascherano (Riise 83), Pennant, Crouch, Gerrard (Kuyt 56).

Subs: Dudek, Fowler.

The Gunners simply couldn't cope with Crouch as the big man hit a fantastic hat-trick.

It was sweet revenge after Arsenal had knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup and Carling Cup at Anfield two months earlier.

With George Gillett and Tom Hicks taking in their first game since officially taking charge of the club, Liverpool produced a brilliant display.

Crouch scored two first half goals, the second a fantastic header from a pinpoint Fabio Aurelio Cross.

The hat-trick came at the Kop end after he produced some great skill before finishing quite superbly.

Daniel Agger also got in on the scoring while William Gallas scored a consolation for the Gunners, but the day belonged to Crouch.

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Goals

[Red Bird]

NUMBER 2

Fixture: Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal
Date: 31 Mar 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa, Gonzalez (Zenden 69), Alonso, Mascherano (Riise 83), Pennant, Crouch, Gerrard (Kuyt 56).

Subs: Dudek, Fowler.



Aha! Had almost forgotten that one. Cheers for the highlights.

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Aha! Had almost forgotten that one. Cheers for the highlights.

It was a great match for us.

Crouch's hat trick was fantastic. Right foot, header, left foot.

As much stick as he got from almost everyone (LFC and non-LFC supporters alike) he had a couple of performances in the blood red that were absolutely class.

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Number 1

Fixture: Man United 1-4 Liverpool
Date: 14 Mar 2009
Venue: Old Trafford

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio (Dossena 67), Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Riera, Leiva, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (El Zhar 90), Torres (Babel 81).

Subs: Cavalieri,Insua, Ngog.

We conclude our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with the game you voted as number one - the fantastic 4-1 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford last season.

Liverpool came from a goal down to outclass Alex Ferguson's Manchester United and give Rafa Benitez his 100th league win in charge of the Reds.

Liverpool's pre-match preparations were not helped by Alvaro Arbeloa picking up an injury during the warm-up but Kop legend Sami Hyypia stepped in and rolled back the years with a fantastic display.

Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot and many feared it would be a long afternoon for the Reds, but what happened next will live forever in the memory.

It was quite simply a joy to watch as Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Fabio Aurelio turned on the style.

El Nino equalised with a sublime finish after leaving Vidic on the floor, and Gerrard made it 2-1 from the penalty spot after he was brought down.

Aurelio then produced the type of free-kick any Brazilian would have been proud of to make it 3-1 and Andrea Dossena came off the bench to net a sublime fourth goal.

It was the perfect end to a fantastic week after the midweek 4-0 thumping of Real Madrid.

"We want five," sang the cluster of Liverpool fans as Old Trafford was quickly emptied out once Dossena's goal found the net.

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Highlights

Fanzone

[Red Bird]

I like it;- whether by accident or design, the highlights page is advertising accident reconstruction software :D

But the fanzone is absolute tops.

[el-capitano]

Thanks for that Dakota- good work! :)