Search the Community

Winning the cup 1992 - We beat Second Division Sunderland 2-0 to win our fifth FA Cup. Ian Rush scored his fifth FA Cup Final goal, to break Stan Mortensen’s record, after Michael Thomas had opened the scoring, with Dean Saunders also hitting the bar. Graeme Souness led the team out just 48 hours after leaving hospital. However, the wrong medals were presented to each team, and so the two sides had to swap them afterwards! Ray Houghton was playing his 202nd and final reds game. Youngest ever 2010 - Left-back Jack Robinson became the reds’ youngest ever player, aged sixteen years and 250 days as we were held to a goalless draw at Hull City. This was Rafael Benítez’s last game in charge, and Dirk Kuyt’s 200th game for the club, while Nabil El Zhar made his 32nd and final reds appearance. 1995 – Steven Gerrard represented the reds for the first time ever, aged fourteen, as the ‘B’ team lost 2-1 at Manchester United, with the team including many winners of the FA Youth Cup a year later. Maxi’s treble 2011 - We secured our biggest every victory at Fulham, winning 5-2 after a sparkling performance. Maxi Rodríguez scored a hat-trick, netting in his third consecutive game while Dirk Kuyt struck in his fifth appearance in a row, with Luis Suárez also on target. Skipper Jamie Carragher played his 666th reds game, to move into second place on the all-time list, only behind Ian Callaghan. A quiet day Our only other two first-class games on this day in history both ended in stalemate. 1987 - We drew 3-3 at Chelsea, with Ian Rush, Steve McMahon and John Aldridge on target in our final game of the season, as we ended nine points behind Everton in second place. Gary Gillespie made his hundredth reds appearance in this game. Future red David Speedie was amongst the scorers, with Gordon Durie netting the first of his six goals past us and John Bumstead also on target. 1988 - John Aldridge struck a spectacular overhead kick as we were held 1-1 at Anfield by Luton Town to reach ninety points in our final League game of the campaign. We had already clinched our seventeenth League title two weeks earlier. Nigel Spackman lined up alongside Gary Gillespie in central defence as Kenny Dalglish rested Alan Hansen ahead of the FA Cup Final, with Jan Mølby away on international duty. Unfortunately, Gillespie and Spackman collided when going for the same ball, resulting in them both taking to the Wembley turf in head bandages the following week! Before the game, the PFA’s Fair Play Trophy and a cheque for £2,000 was presented to Alan Hansen by PFA Secretary Gordon Taylor. The game was watched by 30,376 giving us an average home crowd of 39,682, the best in the division. 1973 - We were also due to play a game, but our UEFA Cup Final first leg meeting with Borussia Mönchengladbach at Anfield was postponed after only 27 minutes, due to a sodden pitch. Happy birthdays 1993 – Defender Andre Wisdom was born in Leeds. He joined the reds from Bradford City in January 2008, making 22 first-team appearances, netting on his debut at BSC Young Boys in September 2013. He left for Derby County for an initial £2m in July 2017. 1996 – Midfielder Cameron Brannagan was born in Salford. He was with the club since the age of eight, making nine senior appearances before joining Oxford United in January 2018. 1989 – Former reserves forward Michael Nardiello was born. 1968 - Neil Ruddock was born in Tooting, London. He played 152 games for the reds after being signed from Tottenham Hotspur for £2.5 million, bagging twelve goals and helping us to the Coca-Cola Cup in 1995 before moving on to West Ham United for £100,000 in July 1998. 1971 - Don Hutchison was born in Gateshead. He made only sixty first-team appearances following his £175,000 capture from Hartlepool United in November 1990, netting ten times, before leaving for Upton Park for £1.5m in August 1994. 1933 – Forward Arthur Rowley was born in Fazakerley in Liverpool. He joined the reds in May 1951, failing to score in eleven outings, moving on to Wrexham in November 1954. Reds trebles 1961 - Ian St. John bagged a hat-trick on his reds debut as we lost 4-3 to Everton in the Liverpool County F.A. Senior Cup Final at Goodison Park. 1942 - Cyril Done netted a treble as we beat Chester 3-0 in a Lancashire Cup First Round second leg match to progress 6-1 on aggregate. Unfortunately, Blackburn Rovers knocked us out at Anfield at the next hurdle. Beating the Hammers 2009 - We won 3-0 at West Ham United thanks to a Steven Gerrard brace and a goal from Ryan Babel. The skipper’s second goal came when keeper Robert Green saved his penalty, although he followed in to net the rebound. His first was his hundredth reds goal from open play. The comedy moment of the game came when David Di Michele performed a laughable dive that led to a booking. In comes Ken 1911 – Scottish international keeper Ken Campbell signed from Cambuslang Rovers for £10. He played 142 reds games before joining Partick Thistle in April 1920. Sir Roger in Italy 1964 - Roger Hunt played for a Football League representative side as they lost 1-0 to an Italian League team at the San Siro in Milan. Keegan for England 1999 - Kevin Keegan resigned as Manager of Fulham, soon signing up as the England team boss. He had guided the Cottagers to the Second Division title, with an impressive 101 points, in his one season in charge. Testimonial defeat 1967 - We took part in a testimonial match for George Curtis and Mick Kearns, losing 2-1 to Coventry City at Highfield Road, with Roger Hunt on target. Dads again 2006 - Steven Gerrard became the father of his second daughter, Lexie. On the same day, Robbie Fowler became a dad for the fourth time, with his first son, named Jacob. For and against England 1942 - Reds keeper George Poland played for England as they lost 1-0 to Wales at Ninian Park in a Wartime international. 2009 – Christopher Buchtmann was booked as Germany Under-17’s thumped England 4-0 in the European Championships Finals in Jena, with future red Jonjo Shelvey on the losing side while winning his seventh and final cap at this level. 2011 – Brad Smith netted for England Under-17’s in their 3-0 win in a European Championships Finals game in Serbia, with Adam Morgan also featuring. On the same day, future reds forward Samed Yeşil scored the only goal of Germany’s meeting with Romania in the same competition. On their way out 1936 – Ex-reds reserves outside-left Jimmy Kelly played for the Irish Free State for the last of four times, grabbing his only two goals for them in their 5-1 friendly win in Luxembourg. 2012 – Ex-reds centre-forward Neil Mellor announced his retirement from playing, aged 29, following a serious knee injury. Avi the Olympian 1979 - Future red Avi Cohen played in Israel’s 1-1 Olympics qualifying draw against Spain in Murcia. Red tonkings 1994 - Ian Rush bagged a brace, with John Barnes, Don Hutchison and Jamie Redknapp also scoring in a 5-0 SDS Challenge Series victory over Shelbourne at Tolka Park in Dublin. 1945 - We thumped Preston North End 5-1 in a Wartime League game at Anfield, with Phil Taylor and Les Shannon both netting twice, and George Kaye bagging a penalty. On the move 2005 - Former reserves forward Ian Armstrong was released by Port Vale after seventeen goals in 101 outings. 2011 – Future reds loanee Nuri Şahin joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for €10m. However, he only made ten senior appearances while in Spain, netting once, before returning to Dortmund.

Clinching the title 1979 - A 3-0 defeat of Aston Villa at Anfield handed us our eleventh League title, thanks to goals from Alan Kennedy, Kenny Dalglish and Terry McDermott. We ended the season with a record 68 points and record goal difference of +69, having only conceded sixteen League goals during the entire campaign. This game was originally postponed from New Year’s Day. The arrival of an Anfield legend 1939 - Left-half Bob Paisley signed from Bishop Auckland for a £10 signing-on fee, and £5 per week. He served the club well in his 277 games, notching twelve times, before joining the training staff. He eventually succeeded Bill Shankly in 1974, becoming the most successful manager in English football history. 1894 - A rather less notable Anfield servant arrived in L4. Defender James Cameron signed from Rangers, going on to make only four first-team appearances. Cup final disappointment 1971 - Arsenal completed the double, beating us 2-1 at Wembley in the FA Cup Final. Steve Heighway opened the scoring in extra time before Eddie Kelly equalised for the Gunners. Charlie George grabbed the winner with the first of his five goals past us - cue one very famous flat-out celebration. Future red Ray Kennedy appeared for the Gunners. 1972 - We also faced Arsenal, holding them to a goalless draw at Highbury. 2005 - Our third meeting with the North London outfit on this day in history ended in a 3-1 defeat at Highbury that ensured we would finish behind Everton in fifth place, although the glory of Istanbul was just around the corner. Steven Gerrard bagged our goal while playing his 200th League game, while Robert Pires netted the last of his four goals past us, with José Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fábregas also scoring. 2012 - Three days after losing out to the Blues in the FA Cup Final at Wembley, we saw off Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield in May 2012 with the reds wearing special ‘Seeing Is Believing’ sponsored kits. Michael Essien’s own goal following fine work from Luis Suárez opened the scoring, with Jordan Henderson doubling our lead after one of many errors forced on John Terry. Daniel Agger headed in from a corner before Fernando Torres and Stewart Downing each hit the woodwork, with Downing then placing a spot-kick onto the post, a club record seventh penalty miss of the season, excluding shoot-outs. Ramires pulled a goal back for the visitors before Jonjo Shelvey completed the scoring. 2001 – We were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Chelsea. Michael Owen bagged a brace, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink twice drawing the visitors level, two of his seven goals against the reds. Heading towards second 2002 - We beat Blackburn Rovers 4-3 at home, having lost the lead three times before Emile Heskey finally won the game late on, to keep us on course to finish second in the League. Danny Murphy, Nicolas Anelka and Sami Hyypiä were the other scorers, with Andrew Cole netting one of his eleven goals past us, and Damien Duff and Matt Jansen also on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that we were holding talks with French club Sedan over the possible transfer of Salif Diao. Final acts 2016 – Joe Allen struck his seventh and last goal for the club as we beat Watford 2-0 at Anfield, with Roberto Firmino also on target. 2004 - Emile Heskey bagged his sixtieth and final reds goal as we won 3-0 at his next club Birmingham City. Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard also struck, while the Blues had Kenny Cunningham sent off. 1982 - We also won at St. Andrews, with Ian Rush netting the only goal of the game. The Anfield Iron is forged 1963 - Tommy Smith made his reds bow in our 5-1 League defeat of Birmingham City at Anfield. This was the first official game we ever played on this day in history. Roger Hunt bagged a brace, with Gordon Wallace scoring his first reds goal and Ian St. John and Ian Callaghan also netting. Shanks for the last time 1974 - Bill Shankly took charge of his last official reds game as we drew 1-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in a game postponed from two months earlier, to end the season in second place, five points behind champions Leeds United. Centre-back Max Thompson made his reds bow, becoming our youngest League debutant to date, aged seventeen years and 129 days, just fifteen days younger than Michael Owen was on his debut 23 years later. Steve Heighway was on the scoresheet, while Ian Callaghan was making his 500th League appearance. 1993 - We also faced Spurs, winning 6-2 at Anfield in our final game of the season as we finished sixth, with many fans expecting this to be Graeme Souness’s last game in charge, although he was actually watching Coventry City entertain Leeds United at the time. Ian Rush and John Barnes grabbed a brace each, with Rushie’s first being his 300th reds goal. Mark Walters also netted with the reds also benefitting from a Stuart Nethercott own goal that was initially credited as Steve Harkness’s first reds strike. Bruce Grobbelaar saved a Teddy Sheringham penalty, our first spot-kick save at Anfield in the Premier League. Sheringham got on the scoresheet anyway with one of his seven goals against the reds, as did Steve Sedgley for the visitors. Bobby’s first strike 1964 - Forward Bobby Graham scored his first reds goal as we trounced Boston Metros 8-1 in the first friendly on our US tour. Alf Arrowsmith and Ian St. John both bagged braces, with Phil Chisnall, Chris Lawler and Tommy Smith also on target. Ferri off 1999 – Midfielder Jean-Michel Ferri made his second and final reds appearance as we lost 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday thanks to a late Richard Cresswell header. Ferri came on as a late substitute for Jamie Redknapp. Managerial comings and goings 2012 - Nick Barmby was sacked as Manager of Hull City, after making disparaging comments about the owners and transfer funds. He had led them to thirteen victories in 33 games in charge. 2001 - Mark Wright was appointed Manager of basement side Oxford United. He only won four of the 22 games in which he was in charge, resigning after just six months at the Kassam Stadium, following accusations of racism. 1992 - Phil Neal was sacked as Bolton Wanderers boss, after nearly seven seasons in charge. He led them to the Freight Rover Trophy Final in his first campaign, before the Trotters were relegated to the basement division the next year, but immediately bounced back into the Third Division. He could not lead them any higher, despite twice making the play-offs. He also helped them to claim the Sherpa Van Trophy in 1989. Future reds starting out 1980 - Nigel Spackman signed for Bournemouth from Andover on a free transfer. He played 131 times for his first professional club, bagging ten goals as they were promoted to the Third Division in his second season. 1994 - Sami Hyypiä scored his first goal in the Finnish Premier League as Myllykosken Pallo-47 drew 1-1 with HJK Helsinki. 1863 - One-time reds trainer William Connell was born in Stockport. International debutants 1963 - Midfielder Gordon Milne made his full international debut as England drew 1-1 with Brazil in a friendly at Wembley. 1932 – Ex-red reserves outside-left Jimmy Kelly played for the Irish Free State for the first of four times in their 2-0 friendly defeat of the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Kenny on target 1976 - Future red Kenny Dalglish netted in Scotland’s 3-0 British International Championships defeat of Northern Ireland at Hampden Park. Meanwhile, Ray Clemence, Kevin Keegan, Ray Kennedy and Phil Thompson faced John Toshack as England won 1-0 in Cardiff. European joy and despair 1968 - Roger Hunt appeared for England as they beat Spain 2-1 in Madrid to reach the Semi-final of the European Championships 3-1 on aggregate. 2006 - Future red Krisztián Németh appeared for Hungary Under-17’s as they lost 2-0 to Spain in the European Championships Finals in Luxembourg. Beating the Blues 1962 – Ronnie Moran scored the only goal of our Liverpool Senior Cup Semi-final encounter with Everton at Goodison Park. Alex off 2008 – Former First Team Coach Alex Miller quit the club to take over as Manager of JEF United Ichihara Chiba in Japan. However, his contract was terminated in July 2009. Other reds milestones Two ex-reds defenders have been released by other clubs on this day in history. 2003 - David Burrows left Sheffield Wednesday after 23 games in his one year at Hillsborough as they struggled in the First Division. 2008 – Stephen Wright was on his way from Sunderland, having made 105 appearances and netted twice. He is now on the coaching staff at Wrexham. Knife junior 2009 – Danish centre-half Daniel Agger became a father to a son, Jamie.