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Edging towards the title 1947 - We moved to within touching distance of our fifth League title as our 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers took us one point clear of both Wolves and Manchester United, in our final game of the season. Jack Balmer and Albert Stubbins bagged our goals before the break while Wolves legend Stan Cullis, who had guested for the reds during the war, played his final ever game for the club. Jimmy Dunn scored the first of his four goals past us in the second half. However, we had to wait a further two weeks to know for sure if the title was ours, as fellow championship challengers Stoke City had one final game, which they lost at Sheffield United. First and last caps 2000 - Steven Gerrard made his England debut as Kevin Keegan’s side beat the Ukraine 1-0 in a friendly at Wembley thanks to a goal from Robbie Fowler. Emile Heskey won his first cap as a reds player in this game, with future red Nick Barmby and ex-red Steve McManaman also featuring. 1989 - Future red Stig Inge Bjørnebye won his first cap for Norway as they beat Austria 4-1 in a friendly in Oslo. On the same day, Ian Rush, future reds player Dean Saunders and Assistant Manager Colin Pascoe faced future red Karl-Heinz Riedle in a goalless World Cup qualifier between Wales and West Germany in Cardiff. On the same day, Glenn Hysén won his last cap as a Fiorentina player as Sweden beat Algeria 2-0 in a friendly. 1994 - Dominic Matteo made his England Under-21’s debut as a substitute in their 3-0 defeat by France in the Toulon Tournament in Aubagne. Fellow reds Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp both also played. 1977 - Kevin Keegan won his final cap as a reds player, skippering England in their 1-0 defeat to Wales in the British International Championships at Wembley. Fellow reds Emlyn Hughes, Joey Jones, Ray Kennedy and Phil Neal all also featured. 1994 - Ronnie Rosenthal won his last cap as a reds player, and 37th in total, as Israel lost 3-0 to Argentina in a friendly in Tel-Aviv. 2008 – Future red Andy Carroll won his sixth and final cap for England Under-19’s as they held Belarus to a goalless draw in Minsk, so qualifying for the European Championships Finals. 2014 – Young defender Ryan McLaughlin made his senior debut for Northern Ireland in their 1-0 friendly defeat in Uruguay. Sebastián Coates, future red Lazar Marković and ex-reds Alberto Aquilani, Carl Medjani and Gabriel Paletta all also represented their countries that day. Walker’s first steps 1874 - Inside-right John Walker was born in Coatbridge. He joined the reds from Heart Of Midlothian for £175 in March 1898, playing 120 times and scoring 31 goals, including the decisive final goal of the season to hand us our first League title in 1901. The following year he returned to his native Scotland, moving to Rangers. Goals galore in the US We have twice racked up hefty scores in US tour games on this day. 1953 - We trounced Toledo All Stars 10-3 with Kevin Baron, Jimmy Payne and Billy Liddell all bagging braces, and Alan A’Court, Bob Paisley and Jack Smith all also on target. 1946 - We thumped St. Louis All Stars 5-1 in the Walsh Stadium, with Willie Fagan netting twice this time around, and Bob Priday, Jack Balmer and Cyril Done also netting. A new trophy 1919 – We claimed the Lancashire Senior Cup, under its temporary tile of the Lancashire Section Subsidiary Competition, as we beat Oldham Athletic 3-0 in the Final at Old Trafford. Harold Wadsworth and John Miller netted either side of a Harry Lewis penalty. Derby stalemate 1941 - We drew 2-2 with Everton in a Wartime League game at Anfield with Billy Liddell and Cyril Done on target. Sal on target 2003 - Salif Diao netted in Senegal’s 2-1 friendly defeat of Cape Verde in Dakar, with clubmate El-Hadji Diouf also featuring. 2002 - They both also featured as Senegal beat France 1-0 in the opening game of the World Cup Finals, with future red Djibril Cissé appearing from the bench. Happy birthday Alan 1981 - Ex-reserves defender Alan Navarro was born in Liverpool. He never made a first-team appearance for us and moved to Tranmere Rovers for £225,000 in January 2002. Venison to Turkey 1995 - Barry Venison joined Galatasaray from Newcastle United for £750,000. He was signed by ex-reds boss Graeme Souness, but only remained in Turkey for five months, playing eight League games. Mighty Mouse on target 1976 - Kevin Keegan bagged a brace as England beat Team America 3-1 in the US Bicentennial Tournament in Philadelphia. Ray Clemence and Phil Thompson both also played for England, while ex-red Tommy Smith appeared for the Americans. On Song again and again Rigobert Song has played for Cameroon three times on this day in history. 2008 – He netted as skipper in their 2-0 defeat of Cape Verde Islands in a World Cup qualifier in Yaoundé. Xabi Alonso, Nabil El Zhar, Fernando Torres and ex-reds Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf also represented their countries that day. 2001 - He was booked in their 2-0 defeat by Brazil in the Confederations Cup in Japan. 1998 - They won a friendly 2-0 in Luxembourg. Internationals on target 2013 – Alberto Aquilani bagged his first strike as a Fiorentina player as Italy beat San Marino 4-0 in a friendly in Bologna, with future red Mario Balotelli also in action, while future red Tiago Ilori played as Portugal Under-20’s beat Belgium Under-21’s 2-0 in a friendly in France. 2005 - Djibril Cissé struck in France’s 2-1 friendly defeat of Hungary in Metz. 2004 - He also featured for his country in a 2-0 friendly defeat of Denmark in Lens, with Christian Poulsen winning his final cap as a Schalke 04 player, and future red Philipp Degen also in international action that day. 2005 - Ex-red Michael Owen bagged a treble to become England’s all-time fourth top goalscorer as he struck his final goals as a Real Madrid player. England beat Colombia 3-2 in New Jersey, with Peter Crouch making his senior bow, winning his only cap as a Southampton player. Ex-red David James and future reds Joe Cole and Glen Johnson also played. On the same day, future red Besian Idrizaj played for Austria Under-19’s as they lost 3-2 to Scotland in a European Championships qualifier in Vöcklamarkt. Management moves 2005 - Mark Wright was appointed Manager of Peterborough United. He was only in charge until the following January, winning twelve of his 35 games in charge. 2018 – Former First Team Coach Paco Herrera was appointed Manager of Greek side Aris Thessaloniki, remaining in charge for six months. Conal on the move 2006 - Former reserves forward Conal Platt signed for Bournemouth having been released by the reds at the end of the season. He only made one senior appearance for the Cherries and is now playing for Stalybridge Celtic in the Conference North. On the same day, future red Nuri Şahin played as Turkey beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in a friendly in Germany. 2015 - Ex-reserves defender Gareth Roberts signed for Conference North side Stockport County, having been released by Chester. John a Rover again 2007 – Future reds goalkeeping coach John Achterberg signed a new two-year playing/coaching contract with Tranmere Rovers. He went on to play 312 times in total for Rovers. Youngsters in action 2011 – Five reds featured for England Under-19’s as they beat Montenegro 1-0 in a European Championships qualifier in Switzerland. Andre Wisdom skippered a side that also included Conor Coady, Tom Ince, Michael Ngoo and Jack Robinson, with future red Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain making his debut at this level. 2017 – Future red Dominic Solanke played as England Under-20’s beat Costa Rica 2-1 in the World Cup Finals in South Korea.

Justice for the 96 1989 - The Hillsborough Disaster occurred that tragically took the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters. R.I.P. and justice for the 96, now that the truth has finally been revealed to the wider world. Happy birthdays 1947 – Recent Chairman Martin Broughton was born in London. He was appointed in April 2010 to locate a buyer for the club from George Gillett and Tom Hicks, which he succeeded in finding in New England Sports Ventures in October 2010, following a series of legal battles. He left his role in the following month and was knighted for his services to business in December 2010. 1982 – Albert Riera was born in Manacor in Mallorca. He signed from R.C.D. Espanyol for an initial £5.5m on transfer deadline day in September 2008, notching five times in 56 reds games before moving to Olympiacos for an initial £3.3m fee in July 2010. Harry’s treble 1922 - We beat Cardiff City 5-1 at Anfield, our first ever meeting with the Bluebirds. Forward Harry ‘Smiler’ Chambers scored a hat-trick, with Jock McNab bagging his first reds goal and Tom Bromilow also on target. Ex-Toffee Joe Clennell bagged one of his seven goals against the reds. 1927 - We again thumped five past City, this time without reply, our record defeat of the Welsh side. Tom Reid bagged a brace, with Gordon Hodgson and Dick Edmed also on the scoresheet to add to a Tommy Lucas penalty. A thumping defeat 1963 - Jimmy Greaves scored the first four of his twelve goals against us, including a penalty, for Tottenham Hotspur in their 7-2 First Division win at White Hart Lane. Roger Hunt bagged both our consolation goals as Cliff Jones netted two of his five goals past us, with Frank Saul also on target for the home side. A McEnglish debut 1893 - Keeper Billy McOwen made his reds bow as we drew 1-1 at Southport Central in our final ever Lancashire League fixture, with John Miller on target. McOwen was the only Englishman to feature regularly in our ‘team of the Macs’, making 27 appearances in total. Most recently 1978 – We drew 1-1 at Bristol City in our most recent full game on this day, with Steve Heighway on target. Bob Paisley said afterwards, “City must have thought it was Christmas all over again. We presented them with a point.” Ex-red Peter Cormack struck for the home side, as well as missing a penalty. 1905 - We also visited Ashton Gate when Jack Cox struck the only goal to hand us victory in our Second Division encounter. This was our thirteenth away League win of the season, a club record since equalled in May 2009. Twice at Roker Park 1970 - Chris Lawler netted the only goal of the game late on to beat the Wearsiders. 1933 - We left Sunderland with a goalless draw in another top-flight meeting. Derby joy We have twice entertained Everton on this day in history. 1944 - Michael Hulligan bagged a brace with Cyril Done also on the scoresheet as we won a Liverpool Cup First Round second leg 3-0, with a further 45 minutes not adding to the score as the tie ended level. The game also counted for Wartime League. 1895 - Jimmy Ross was on target as we drew 1-1 in a friendly. Arrow sheathed 1968 - Alf Arrowsmith played his 56th and final reds game in our 1-1 Easter Monday First Division draw at Sheffield United. Geoff Strong struck our goal from the spot, with Tony Currie on target for the home side. 1931 – Outside-left Fred Hopkin made his 360th and last appearance for the reds as we were held to a goalless draw at Anfield by Birmingham City. Sami the best 2002 - Sami Hyypiä and future red Steve Finnan were both named in the PFA Team of the Year, while Steven Gerrard finished third in the vote for the Young Player of the Year, which was won by future red Craig Bellamy. First and last 1914 – Right-back Frank Grayer played his only reds game, with Jimmy Dawson netting his third and final goal in his fourteenth and last game for the club as we lost 2-1 at home to Manchester United, with George Wall bagging one of his ten goals against us and George Travers also netting. Grayer was so badly wounded during the First World War that he was unable to play football again. Red Scots in action 1950 - Billy Liddell played as Scotland lost a World Cup qualifier 1-0 to England at Hampden Park. 1961 - Future red Ian St. John was in the Scotland side that trounced England 9-3 in a British International Championships game at Wembley Stadium. 1939 - Bill Shankly represented his country in another home international at Hampden, with England winning 2-1. On the move 2015 - Future reds boss Jürgen Klopp announced his departure from Ballspielverein Borussia 09 e.V. Dortmund at the end of that season, after seven campaigns in charge, having led them to two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and two DFL-Supercups.

Happy birthday Jerzy 1973 - Jerzy Dudek was born in Rybnik. The big Pole in our goal made 186 reds appearances after signing from Feyenoord for £4.85m in August 2001, helping us to glory in Istanbul, as well as the Worthington Cup in 2003. He left to join Real Madrid in July 2007, although he barely featured for their first team. A new boss 1951 – Don Welsh took charge of his first reds game as Jack Haigh nabbed the only goal of our top-flight meeting with Charlton Athletic at Anfield. He had been officially appointed eighteen days earlier. Away goals galore 1985 - John Wark netted an eighteen-minute hat-trick in our 5-0 win at West Bromwich Albion, with Steve Nicol and Kenny Dalglish also on target, while Bruce Grobbelaar saved a Derek Statham penalty. Wark therefore became the only red to score trebles in three different competitions in the same season, after Anfield hat-tricks against Lech Poznan in the European Cup and York City in the FA Cup. 1991 - We routed Derby County 7-1 at the Baseball Ground under Ronnie Moran’s temporary control, thanks to a Jan Mølby penalty, braces from John Barnes and Steve Nicol, and goals from Ian Rush and Ray Houghton. Future red Dean Saunders scored the first of his four goals past us, although the only one before he moved to Anfield. 1903 - We also beat Derby in the First Division, winning 3-1 at Anfield, with left-half Bill Goldie netting his sixth and final reds goal and Sam Raybould and Jack Cox also on target. Masch off 2008 - We were beaten 3-0 at Manchester United, with Javier Mascherano sent off under a short-lived clampdown on players questioning officials. Wes Brown, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani netted for the home side. 1912 - We held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford when Jack Parkinson netted our goal in this top-flight encounter. Jay off 2010 – Reserves midfielder Jay Spearing joined Leicester City on loan. He struck once in eleven outings as they reached the Championship Play-off Semi-finals. Bradley off the mark 1907 - Left-half Jim Bradley scored his first reds goal of eight as we thumped Newcastle United 4-1 at Anfield. Arthur Goddard, Jack Cox and Joe Hewitt were also on the scoresheet. A half century over Leeds 2003 - We earned our fiftieth League win over Leeds United in the 98th meeting. Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and Steven Gerrard all netted in a 3-1 win, with Mark Viduka bagging one of his six goals past us. Other births and death 1983 - Former reserves right-back Jon Otsemobor was born in Liverpool. He played just six first-team games for us, before joining Rotherham United in July 2005. 1914 - Centre-half Norman Low was born in Aberdeen. He signed from Newcastle United in October 1933 but only played thirteen times while at Anfield, deputising for Tom Bradshaw, before moving on to Newport County in November 1936. 1908 – John Charlton was born in Leadgate, County Durham. He signed from Bradford City in October 1929, but only played three senior games before moving on to Derry City in 1932. 2011 – Ex-reds midfielder Trevor Storton died. He struck eight times in 118 League games for Tranmere Rovers before switching to Anfield for £25,000 in July 1972. He only played twelve times in two years before joining Chester, for whom he turned out more than 400 times. Double Irish 1994 - Future reds Phil Babb and Jason McAteer both won their first full international caps for the Republic of Ireland in their goalless friendly meeting with Russia at Lansdowne Road. Ronnie Whelan skippered the Irish that day, while future red Gary McAllister captained Scotland on the same day, as they lost a friendly 1-0 to the Netherlands at Hampden Park. Stig on the way out 2000 - Stig Inge Bjørnebye was loaned out to Brøndby IF. He netted twice in thirteen League games for the Danish side and was sold to Blackburn Rovers within a month of his return to Anfield. 1999 - Reserves midfielder Danny Williams joined Wrexham on a free, bagging four goals in 48 games. He was then signed by Jan Mølby for Kidderminster Harriers. Alf’s last strike 1968 - Centre-forward Alf Arrowsmith struck his final reds goal as we won 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday. His 24 goals came in 56 games. 1901 - We also faced The Wednesday, being held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield in another top-flight encounter, with Sam Raybould grabbing our goal and Fred Spiksley scoring one of his four against the reds. Anfield first 1893 – The first testimonial to be played by the reds at Anfield saw Bootle Boys Brigade beaten 1-0 in a match staged in aid of Liverpool Caledonians’ David Kirkwood. John Miller scored the goal. A semi-final thriller 1899 - We drew an FA Cup Semi-final replay 4-4 with Sheffield United at Burnden Park. Our goals came from John Walker, George Allan, Jack Cox and a Peter Boyle own goal. Walter Bennett struck one of his five goals past us, with Fred Priest bagging a brace and Billy Beer also on target. Unfortunately, we lost a second replay 1-0 at Baseball Ground a week later. 1929 – The fifth and most recent FA Cup Semi-final to be staged at Anfield took place, with eventual winners Bolton Wanderers beating Huddersfield Town 3-1. Harkness starts out 1989 - Steve Harkness signed as a professional for Carlisle United. He played thirteen times before being signed by Kenny Dalglish four months later. Underneath the floodlights 1960 - We lost a match played to commemorate new floodlights at Dens Park. Dundee won 1-0, with brothers Bill and Bob Shankly in opposing dug-outs. Other international firsts 2013 – Ex-reds keeper Charles Itandje made his debut for Cameroon in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat of Togo in Yaoundé, with Joe Gomez and future red Xherdan Shaqiri also in international action that day. 1991 - Sami Hyypiä won his first cap at any level, playing for Finland Under-18’s as they were held to a goalless draw by Yugoslavia in a friendly in Italy. 1878 - Ex-red Robert Neill captained Scotland for the first time, while winning his fourth cap, as they trounced Wales 9-0 in a friendly at Hampden Park. 2019 – Ex-red Toni Silva won his first cap as an Al Ittihad Alexandria Club player as Guinea-Bissau drew 2-2 with Mozambique in an African Cup of Nations qualifier. Roberto Firmino, Ki-Jana Hoever, ex-red Philippe Coutinho and future red Sepp van den Berg also played for their countries that day. 2016 – Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for England Under-18’s in their 3-2 friendly win in Austria, with Herbie Kane also featuring. 2017 – Ex-red Sebastián Coates won his first cap as a Sporting Clube de Portugal player while facing Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and future red Alisson Becker as Brazil thumped Uruguay 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo. Sadio Mané featured for Senegal in a 1-1 friendly draw with Nigeria in Barnet on the same day, while future red Dominic Solanke converted a spot-kick as England Under-20’s drew 2-2 with Portugal in a tournament in France, the fourth consecutive game at his level he had scored in. Keeper Caoimhin Kelleher also played for his country that day. 2015 – Future red Kelleher played for the Irish Under-17’s as they beat Belarus 3-1 in a European Championships qualifier in Poland. 2018 – Coutinho won his first cap as a Barcelona player, scoring from the spot in Brazil’s 3-0 friendly win in Moscow, with Roberto Firmino and future red Alisson Becker also in action. On the same day, Virgil van Dijk played for the Netherlands for the first time as a red, with Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gini Wijnaldum and ex-reds Ryan Babel and Raheem Sterling all also featuring as England won 1-0 in Amsterdam. Ex-reds Luis Suárez and Victor Moses both scored from the spot, with Mohamed Salah also on target as Marko Grujić and Andrew Robertson also played for their countries. Tosh the boss again 1995 - John Toshack was appointed Manager of Deportivo La Coruña, although he did not take over for another three months. He lasted a year and a half before he resigned, during which time they beat Real Madrid to win the Supercopa, the Spanish equivalent of the Charity Shield. Kenny and Jimmy for their countries 1982 - Kenny Dalglish netted in Scotland’s 2-1 friendly defeat of the Netherlands at Hampden Park. Future red John Wark also played. 1976 - Jimmy Case struck on his Under-23’s debut as England played their last ever fixture at this level, beating Hungary 3-1 in a European Championships qualifier at Old Trafford, although they went out on aggregate. Future red Alan Kennedy also played. Future reds on target 2001 - Milan Baroš scored for the Czech Republic Under-21’s as they won 2-0 in a European Championships qualifier in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Christian Poulsen won his first cap for Denmark at the same level in their goalless European Championships qualifying draw with Malta in Corradino. 1988 - Dean Saunders won his first cap as an Oxford United player, scoring as Wales lost 2-1 to Yugoslavia in a friendly in Swansea. Juve’s Ian Rush also played. On the same day, John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and future red Mark Wright all played as the Netherlands held England 2-2 in a friendly at Wembley. Also that day, future red Ronnie Rosenthal netted in Israel’s 9-0 trouncing of Taiwan in Wellington, New Zealand in an Olympics qualifier. Ex-red Avi Cohen also played, while Everton’s Kevin Sheedy appeared in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-0 friendly defeat of Romania at Lansdowne Road. Ex-reds on the move 1994 - Jimmy Carter joined Oxford United on loan from Arsenal. He made five appearances, returning for a second spell later that year. 1995 - Ray Houghton signed for Crystal Palace from Aston Villa for £300,000, bagging eight goals in 87 games for the Eagles. 2006 - Jon Newby joined Kidderminster Harriers on loan from Bury, failing to score in seven outings. 2012 – Former reserves forward Nikola Sarić signed for HB Køge in his native Denmark. Jim the Saint 1994 - Former reds reserves midfielder Jim Magilton won his first Northern Ireland cap as a Southampton player as they beat Romania 2-0 in a friendly at Windsor Park.