LFC.tv - On This Day...

CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 18, 2008

On This Day - Despair In Japan

Liverpool were left to rue the cost of some poor decisions as Rafael Benitez's side lost 1-0 to Sao Paulo in the final of the FIFA Club World Championship in Japan on this day in 2005.

The Reds hit the bar twice, had three goals disallowed and saw a strong penalty appeal waved away as they lost the most one-sided final we can remember.

This was Liverpool's third defeat in Japan having lost to South American opponents in 1981 and 1984.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 20, 2008

On This Day - Boy Wonder Sinks City

Michael Owen was the hero as Liverpool edged past Coventry City at Anfield back in 1997.

The teen sensation took just 14 minutes to open the scoring when he was on hand to stab home a fine run and pass from Steve McManaman.

However, the expected avalanche of goals did not materialise and the Reds were left to hang on for a 1-0 win.

It was a much-needed three points for Roy Evans' men, who had gone into the game looking to avoid three home league games on the bounce for the first time in 34 years.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 21, 2008

McMahon Bids A Fond Farewell

Steve McMahon played his last game for Liverpool against his future employers on this day in 1991.

The tough-tackling midfielder featured for 58 minutes of the 2-2 home draw with Manchester City before being replaced by Mark Walters.

It brought the curtain down on a superb six-year spell at Anfield, in which time he made 277 appearances and scored 50 goals.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 22, 2008

Terrific Torres Torments Pompey

Liverpool made the perfect start to their festive programme with a well deserved 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at Anfield on this day last year.

The game was all but over as a contest inside the first quarter of an hour as the Reds raced into a two goal lead thanks to a Yossi Benayoun volley and an own goal from Sylvain Distin, and although Pompey reduced the deficit shortly after the break, top scorer Fernando Torres struck a brilliant double to end hopes of an unlikely comeback to seal the points with his thirteenth and fourteenth goals of the campaign.

The victory saw Rafa and co return to winning ways after two straight defeats in the league and brought to an end Pompey's six match winning streak on the road.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 24, 2008

God's Triple Delight

Robbie Fowler hit a hat-trick against Arsenal at Anfield for the second season in succession as Liverpool beat the Gunners 3-1, on this day in 1995.

The London outfit simply couldn't cope with the Fowler and Stan Collymore strike partnership as Roy Evans men produced a superb display.

The victory completed a superb home double for the Reds after beating Manchester United 2-0 a week earlier, thanks to two goals from who else but Fowler.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 24, 2008

Reds Too Strong For Chelsea

Geoff Strong scored the winning goal as Liverpool enjoyed a great start to their Christmas period with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, on this day in 1966.

Strong was a popular player with a knack of scoring vital goals at crucial times.

An own goal from Chelsea's Marvin Hinton gave the Reds the lead before Strong made it 2-0, and although the Londoners pulled a goal back Liverpool deserved the win.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 25, 2008

Liddell Goes Goal Crazy

Billy Liddell scored four goals as Liverpool made it a Christmas Day to remember as we beat Ipswich Town 6-2 at Anfield, on this day in 1954.

One of the great Scot's goals was a penalty and Louis Bimpson and John Evans also found the net.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 27, 2008

Reds Notch Another Record

Liverpool equalled a club record of eight straight league wins with a convincing 2-0 defeat of Newcastle United on this day in 2006.

First half goals from Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch did the damage as Rafael Benitez's men ensured Michael Owen's first match at Anfield as an ex-Red ended in disappointment.

It also saw us notch up our 250th win in the Premier League and an eighth consecutive clean sheet - our best run of shut-outs since 1922-23.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 27, 2008

King Kenny's Treble Joy

Kenny Dalglish grabbed a magnificent hat-trick to inspire us to a crushing win over Manchester City on this day in 1982.

The legendary Scot opened the scoring after 18 minutes and added a second six minutes later, with a Phil Neal effort sandwiched in between.

It gave Liverpool a commanding lead at the interval and, with victory all-but in the bag, Rush added a fourth before Dalglish hit his hat-trick goal four minutes from time to put the seal on a 5-2 home win.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 29, 2008

Reds Make Manchester Bow

Liverpool played their first ever game at the City of Manchester Stadium on this day in 2005.

Goals from Vladimir Smicer - our 250th against Manchester City - and Didi Hamann had looked like making it a winning start too, after Nicolas Anelka had put the home side in front.

However, with only seconds remaining on the clock ex-red Robbie Fowler popped up to snatch a 2-2 draw for the hosts.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 29, 2008

Barnes Punishes Beasant

A brilliant goal from John Barnes took the Reds to the top of the table after a 1-0 win against Southampton at The Dell, on this day in 1996.

The goal came after a mistake from Saints goalkeeper Dave Beasant. In trying to prevent a corner his clearance went straight to Barnes who cooly found the net.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 30, 2008

Colussus Leaves Anfield

Ron Yeats bade a fond farewell to Anfield when he took a ferry across the Mersey to sign for Tranmere Rovers on this day in 1971.

The Colossus - one of the most astute signings ever by Bill Shankly - was a great servant to the Reds and played 454 games for the club.

He captained us to our first ever FA Cup success in 1965 and is a true Anfield hero.

He later returned to the club when he was apppointed chief scout by Kenny Dalglish.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 31, 2008

Crouchie's Red Hot Streak

Peter Crouch netted his third goal of the week to steer the Reds to a 1-0 win over West Brom on this day in 2005.

The towering forward struck the only goal of the game on 51 minutes to follow up efforts against Everton and Newcastle United.

It secured our 10th straight league victory and further enhanced his growing reputation as a striker to be reckoned with.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 1, 2009

The Best Strike Duo Ever?

The Ian Rush-Kenny Dalglish combination once again did the damage as Liverpool put Notts County to the sword on this day in 1983.

The Welsh wizard left Anfield with another match ball for his collection while King Kenny added a brace to help clinch a 5-1 victory.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 3, 2009

Reds Burst Hammers Bubble

Liverpool knocked holders West Ham United out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win in the third round clash at Upton Park, on this day in 1976.

Deadly duo Kevin Keegan and John Toshack scored the vital goals for Bob Paisley's side.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 11, 2009

Rafa Captures Skrtel

Rafael Benitez swooped to sign Slovakian international centre-half Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg on this day in 2008.

The powerful defender proved to be a big hit with the Kop and his recent return from a knee ligament injury has given Rafael Benitez a massive boost for the rest of the campaign.

The Reds number 37 has made 30 first-team appearances so far.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 14, 2009

Well I missed a couple of days...

Souey's Reds Bow

Graeme Souness enjoyed a winning start to his Liverpool career as the Reds earned a narrow victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns on this day in 1978.

The legendary midfielder, who had signed from Middlesbrough four days earlier, played the full 90 minutes as Bob Paisley's side got back to winning ways following their 4-2 defeat against Chelsea.

David Johnson proved to be the matchwinner as he fired home the only goal of the game on 10 minutes.

It was the first of 359 appearances for Souness, who would go on to captain the Reds to European Cup glory in 1984 before seeking a fresh challenge abroad with Italian side Sampdoria.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 15, 2009

Carragher 500, Not Out

Jamie Carragher made a landmark 500th appearance for the club as Liverpool thumped Luton Town 5-0 in an FA Cup third round replay on this day last year.

The defensive stalwart was applauded onto the pitch by a guard of honour as he skippered the Reds to a convincing victory over the Hatters.

A Steven Gerrard hat-trick and other goals from Ryan Babel and Sami Hyypia completed the rout on an all-round good night for Rafael Benitez's men.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 16, 2009

Reds In 7th Heaven Against Saints

Robbie Fowler smashed home a hat-trick as Liverpool put Southampton to the sword on this day in 1999.

The man the fans loved to call 'God' opened the scoring on 22 minutes before Dominic Matteo extended the home side's advantage just after the half-hour mark.

Fowler then added his second and third of the game either side of half-time to complete his treble with further goals from Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and David Thompson sealing a 7-1 rout.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 17, 2009

Thommo Unveils His Perm

Kenny Dalglish struck a hat-trick to fire Liverpool into the semi-finals of the League Cup - but it was Phil Thompson who was the talk of the Travelling Kop on this day in 1978.

The homegrown defender chose the clash at the Racecourse ground to become the first player to imitate former Red Kevin Keegan - then at Hamburg - by unveiling his new-look perm to the watching world.

It inspired a whole host of catcalls from the crowd but despite the mocking chants from the stands, it would go on to become something of a fashion statement at the time.

The likes of Terry McDermott and Phil Neal followed suit as the Liverpool players went about altering the rest of the country's image of scousers forever.

Thommo revealed how his new look went down in his autobiography 'Stand up Pinocchio.'

He said: "I'd had it done between the Saturday and playing Wrexham in the fifth round of the League Cup at the Racecourse Ground. You can imagine the stick I got from the players.

"That was bad enough, but how would the fans react at the Racecourse? I believe they call it the 'big reveal' in the makeover business.

"I ran out with this bubble cut and immediately people were screaming: "Look, Liverpool have signed Shirley Temple."

As it turned out Liverpool won the match 3-1 and went on to reach the final, where they would lose 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in a replay after the first match finished goalless.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 19, 2009

Rush Sinks Canaries

Ian Rush scored twice as Liverpool beat Norwich City 4-0 at Anfield, on this day in 1985.

John Wark and Kenny Dalglish were the other marksmen for Joe Fagan's team.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 21, 2009

Rush Gives Everton The Blues

Ian Rush was the scourge of Everton again as he scored the only goal of the game to send Liverpool through to the semi-finals of the League Cup after a 1-0 win at Goodison Park, on this day in 1987.

However, it was a sad night for Jim Beglin who made his final appearance in a red shirt when he broke his ankle after a tackle from Everton right back Gary Stevens.

A crowd of 53,323 witnessed a pulsating derby and Scottish winger Alan Irvine made an impressive cameo appearance off the bench for the Reds.

Kenny Dalglish's side reached the final of the Littlewoods Cup that season, only to lose 2-1 to Arsenal in the final at Wembley. It was also the first time that Liverpool had lost when Rush had scored.

We also say many happy returns to Anfield hero Phil Thompson who celebrates his 55th birthday today.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 22, 2009

Reds Snap Up Thommo

The Reds snapped up 17-year-old Phil Thompson from Kirkby Schools, a youngster who would go on to have a huge bearing on the club's success over the next few decades - both as a player and a coach.

'Thommo' played 477 times for the Reds between 1972 and 1983 and weighed in with his fair share of goals too, hitting the back of the net 13 times.

He went on to skipper both Liverpool and England during his time in L4, with his best moment coming in 1981 when he became the first local-born Red to lift the European Cup.

Of course, that wasn't his only honour and when he did finally leave Liverpool as a player in 1985, he had won two European Cups, seven League titles, the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, two League Cups and five FA Charity Shields.

He later had two separate spells on the backroom staff, under Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 23, 2009

A Legend Is Born

The most successful manager in Liverpool history came into the world on this day 90 years ago.

Robert Paisley was born in Hetton-le-Hole in County Durham and would go on to have a huge say in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

At first he joined the Reds as a player and made 277 appearances, helping us to the league title in 1947 before joining the coaching staff in 1954.

Bill Shankly would lay the foundations that would turn the Reds into one of the biggest clubs in the world before Bob took the hot-seat himself.

He went on to lead us to three European Cups, six league titles, the UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, four League Cups and five FA Charity Shields.

Sadly, he passed away on February 14, 1996 at the age of 77, but will never be forgotten for his achievements with the club.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 24, 2009

Bruno Brilliance Floors Magpies

Bruno Cheyrou was the unlikely hero as he hit a superb double to book Liverpool's place in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Newcastle United on this day five years ago.

The Frenchman's brace took his tally to four goals in five appearances as he enjoyed what proved to be the best spell of his Reds career.

Previous encounters with the Magpies had seen a series of epic matches including two 4-3 victories for the Reds.

And so, when Liverpool took the lead after just 73 seconds, another classic looked to be on the cards.

Emile Heskey burst into the box and while Shay Given could only stop the ball at his feet, Bruno Cheyrou followed up with a low, side-footed shot into the back of net.

It was a dream start, but it wasn't long before the visitors hit back when they were awarded a free-kick 35 yards from goal.

It would have to take some strike to beat Jerzy Dudek from that distance and Laurent Robert duly obliged with a ferocious drive that the Polish keeper could only parry into the net.

The match was only 168 seconds old and yet the scoreline stood at 1-1.

From then on both sides went for the jugular and the only surprise was that it took until 64 minutes for Liverpool to restore their lead.

Steven Gerrard powered down the left and when he produced a sublime cross to the far post Cheyrou rose to power in what proved to be the winner.

"It was a great night and a good win," said the two-goal hero afterwards.

"I thought we'd done the most difficult thing by getting the first goal but they equalised soon after and we had to keep going. We played better in the second half and deserved to win."
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