Search the Community

Happy birthday Mr Kennedy 1951 - Ray Kennedy was born in Seaton Delavel. After five successful years as a forward with Arsenal, Bob Paisley converted him into a left-sided midfielder following his club record £180,000 arrival as Bill Shankly’s last signing in July 1974. He won six League titles, three European Cups, the UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, League Cup and three FA Charity Shields before joining John Toshack’s Swansea City in January 1982, striking 72 times in 393 reds games. Robbie arrives 2008 - Robbie Keane signed from Tottenham Hotspur for £19.3m. He struck seven times in 28 reds outings before returning to north London for an initial £15m fee the following February. He grabbed fifteen goals in 52 games in his second spell with Spurs before moving on to LA Galaxy for £3.5m in August 2011, while also being loaned out to Celtic and West Ham United. On the same day, ex-red El-Hadji Diouf joined Sunderland from Bolton Wanderers for £2.5m, after a total of 24 goals in 136 games for the Trotters. Razor sheathed 1992 - Ray Houghton was sold to Aston Villa for £900,000 as Graeme Souness tried to reduce the number of non-Englishmen in the squad, to comply with UEFA regulations for European competition. He had netted 38 times in 202 reds games, helping us to claim two League titles, two FA Cups and the FA Charity Shield. In comes Harvey 2019 – Winger Harvey Elliott signed from Fulham for a fee eventually set at an initial £1.2m, having become the youngest ever to play in both the Premier League and League Cup while with the Cottagers. He made his senior bow on the same day as we lost 3-0 to SSC Napoli at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. He netted ten times in 119 senior appearances across his first five years with the reds, helping us to claim two League Cups and the FA Community Shield. 2020 – Northern Irish youngster Conor Bradley signed for the reds as a professional. He has so far struck once in 28 senior reds appearances, already helping us to claim the League Cup. 1992 - England international Paul Stewart signed from Tottenham Hotspur for £2.3m. That same day he made his reds bow in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Rosenborg BK in Vålerenga. His time at Anfield was a failure, as he scored just three times in 42 appearances in nearly four seasons. He left for Sunderland on a free transfer in March 1996. 1972 – Midfielder Trevor Storton signed from Tranmere Rovers for £25,000, having struck eight times in 118 League games. He only played twelve times in two years before joining Chester in June 1974, for whom he turned out more than 400 times. Shaq off the mark 2018 – Xherdan Shaqiri scored in his first reds game as we thumped Manchester United 4-1 in an International Champions Cup game in Michigan, with Sadio Mané and Sheyi Ojo both scoring from the spot and Daniel Sturridge also on target. Four for Fagan 1945 - Willie Fagan scored four times, including two penalties, as we thumped an RAF XI 7-0 in Germany shortly after the end of hostilities. Legendary forward Billy Liddell bagged a brace, with Jack Balmer completing the scoring. Fernando the champion 2002 - Future red Fernando Torres bagged the only goal of the Final of the European Championships for Spain Under-19’s as they beat their German counterparts in Oslo. This was the third consecutive Under-19’s game in which he had scored. Reds firsts 2012 – Fabio Borini played his first reds game in a dour goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur in Baltimore on our North American tour. 2014 – Herbie Kane skippered England Under-17’s while making his debut at this level as they thumped Iceland 5-1 in a Nordic Tournament group game in Denmark, with Trent Alexander-Arnold also featuring. On the same day, future red Marko Grujić played for Serbia Under-19’s in their goalless draw with Portugal in their European Championships Semi-final, with Portugal going through to the Final after a penalty shoot-out. New boys off the mark 1997 - New signing Øyvind Leonhardsen and young winger Mark Kennedy both scored their first reds goals in a 6-0 rout of Shelbourne in Dublin, each netting twice. Danny Murphy also struck his first reds goal, with Steve McManaman adding the other. Red Scots deaths 1967 – Scottish centre-half David Pratt died. He played 84 times for the reds after signing from Bradford City in January 1923, scoring just once and being known for his long throw-ins. He left Anfield to sign for Bury in November 1927. 1960 – Scottish inside-right Jimmy Stewart died. He arrived from Motherwell in April 1909, bagging 26 goals in 63 outings before joining Hamilton Academical in January 1914. 1943 – Scottish outside-right Tom Wyllie died. He bagged fifteen goals in 25 senior games after signing from Everton in 1982, as well as scoring the only goal of the first ever derby meeting with his former club, in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final in 1893. He moved on to Bury later that year. Starting out 1996 - We were held to a goalless draw at Goodison Park in the third-place play-off of a friendly tournament also featuring Borussia Mönchengladbach and Porto, to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Sir John Moores CBE. Jamie Carragher made his first reds appearance, playing at right wing-back in place of the injured Jason McAteer. 2016 – Winger Harry Wilson signed a new contract. He made his reds bow in January 2017 in our FA Cup Third Round replay win at Plymouth Argyle, but only made one further first-team appearance. He was sold to Fulham for a reported £12m in July 2021 after a successful loan spell. Scandinavian reds 1987 - Steve Nicol was on target as we drew 1-1 with Danish side Brønshøj at the Ringsted Stadion. Play was stopped briefly during the second half when a rabbit ran onto the pitch! 1991 - We were held to a goalless draw at Sirius in Sweden. Cleaned out by Ajax 2001 - We lost our closing fixture in the pre-season Amsterdam Tournament, going down 3-1 to Ajax. Jari Litmanen featured against his old side, while Robbie Fowler was on the scoresheet. Other pre-season games 1971 - Chris Lawler netted from long range as we beat Wrexham 1-0 in a testimonial game for Arfon Griffiths at the Racecourse Ground. 1993 - Ian Rush scored as we drew 1-1 at Birmingham City in the T.N.T. Inter-City Challenge Cup. We lost the resulting penalty shoot-out 4-3. 2007 - A Liverpool XI was held to a 1-1 friendly draw at Colchester United, with Miki Roqué volleying our goal. 2011 – We lost 3-0 at Galatasaray. 2013 – We beat the Thailand national side 3-0 in Bangkok, with Philippe Coutinho, Iago Aspas and Steven Gerrard on target. South coast moves 2009 - Peter Crouch joined Tottenham Hotspur from Portsmouth. He had struck sixteen times in 49 outings in this second spell with Pompey. 2006 - David Thompson moved to Fratton Park, having been released by Wigan Athletic at the end of the previous season. He featured just fifteen times for Pompey before moving to Bolton Wanderers the following January. Tosh for Charlie 1969 - Future red John Toshack played for Wales as they lost 1-0 to a Rest Of UK side at Ninian Park, in a game played to mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales, and raise funds for the Aberfan Disaster Fund. Internationals in action 2013 – Future reds midfielder Naby Keïta featured as Guinea beat Mali 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Conakry. 2009 – Conor Coady and future red Conor Thomas made their debuts for England Under-17’s as they drew 1-1 with Denmark in the Nordic Tournament in Trondheim, with Andre Wisdom also featuring. 2002 - Michael Foley-Sheridan appeared for the Republic of Ireland Under-19’s in the European Championship Finals third place play-off, which they lost 2-1 to Slovakia in Oslo. 1997 – Future red Haukur Ingi Gudnason won his seventeenth and last Under-19’s cap as Iceland drew 2-2 with Hungary in a European Championships group game. 1988 – Future reds goalkeeping coach Cláudio Taffarel played as Brazil held Norway to a 1-1 friendly draw in Oslo. Ged in charge 1993 - Future reds boss Gérard Houllier led France to a 3-1 friendly win over Russia in Caen. Frank Sauzée, Eric Cantona and Jean-Pierre Papin netted for Les Bleus. Olympian ends 2008 – Lucas Leiva featured for a Brazil Olympic XI in their 3-0 defeat of a Singapore Select XI in the Stadium of Singapore, in what was the last match before the stadium was demolished later that year. 2021 – Alexis Mac Allister won his ninth and final cap for Argentina Under-23’s as they drew 1-1 with Spain in the Olympics in Japan, while future red Wataru Endō appeared for the host nation as they beat France 4-0 in Yokohama. On the move again 1987 - Future reds loanee keeper Alec Chamberlain joined Everton from Ipswich Town for £80,000, although he never made the first team before moving on to Luton Town for £150,000 a year later. 2005 - Ex-reserves midfielder Neil Prince signed for Conference North outfit Stalybridge Celtic three years ago, after impressing on a trial. He left in May 2007 after seventeen strikes in 84 appearances. 2010 – Ex-reds winger Mark Kennedy joined Ipswich Town for £75,000 from Cardiff City. He had failed to find the net in 79 outings for the Bluebirds. 2011 – Midfielder Momo Sissoko joined Paris Saint-Germain from Juventus for an initial €7m, netting twice in 35 outings, before having his contract terminated in September 2013. 2015 - Spanish forward Dani Pacheco joined Deportivo Alavés on loan from Real Betis Balompié, netting three times in 38 outings as they claimed the Segunda División title. 2017 – Midfielder Adam Phillips signed for Norwich City, having his contract cancelled in February 2019 having failed to make a senior appearance. On the same day, right-back Connor Randall joined Heart Of Midlothian on loan, turning out 27 times for the Jam Tarts. 2022 – Midfielder Lee Peltier signed for Rotherham United, scoring once in 36 outings in his first campaign with the Millers. 2023 – Left-back Adam Lewis re-joined Newport County on loan, scoring twice in thirty games in this spell, before being released by the reds at the end of the season.

Shanks departs 1974 - Bill Shankly resigned as Manager after fifteen years in charge, leaving reds fans bemused and shocked. He had led us to three League titles, UEFA Cup, two FA Cups and the Second Division championship. His final significant act as boss was to sign Arsenal forward Ray Kennedy for a club record fee of £180,000, announced the very same day. Razor went on to net 72 times in 393 reds games, helping us to claim six League titles, three European Cups, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, League Cup and three FA Charity Shields before joining John Toshack’s Swansea City in January 1982. The Wright signing 1991 - Mark Wright arrived from Derby County for £2.2m. With Alan Hansen retired, Glenn Hysén soon to go and Gary Gillespie moving on to Celtic, we were in dire need of a quality centre-back, and Wright was drafted in after his impressive displays for England at the 1990 World Cup. He notched nine times in 210 reds appearances and lifted the FA Cup at Wembley in 1992 before retiring from playing in August 1998. Yossi signs on 2007 - Yossi Benayoun signed from West Ham United for £5m. He bagged 29 goals in 134 reds games, including hat-tricks against Beşiktaş JK, Havant & Waterlooville and Burnley, leaving for Chelsea for the same fee in July 2010. On the same day, second string winger Adam Hammill joined Southampton on loan. He made 28 appearances for the Saints that season, half of them from off the bench, without getting on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, ex-red Vladimír Šmicer signed for SK Slavia Praha. He helped his new club won their first title in twelve years, with Vlad once again suffering with injuries as he struck five times in 23 League games before retiring in May 2010. Heading off 2005 - Grégory Vignal signed for Portsmouth after just twenty senior reds games. He played seventeen times for Pompey, before moving on to Racing Club de Lens in May 2006. 2013 – Suso signed for Unión Deportiva Almería on loan. He scored three goals in 35 games, as well as providing nine assists. 2022 – Centre-half Tom Clayton left the reds to sign for Swindon Town, netting once in 35 outings during his first campaign with the Robins. On the same day, ex-reds winger Rafael Camacho joined Aris Thessaloniki on loan from Sporting Clube de Portugal, scoring three times in 32 games while in Greece. 2006 - Djibril Cissé joined Olympique de Marseille on loan. He had bagged 24 goals in 79 reds games following his club record signing for £14m two years earlier. He was recovering from a second leg break at the time but recovered to notch sixteen times in 29 outings in his first campaign with L’OM, signing on permanently for £6.3m a year later. On the same day, Dietmar Hamann joined Manchester City from Bolton Wanderers for £300,000 after just one day at the Reebok Stadium! He played 71 times for City, getting on the scoresheet just once before joining Milton Keynes Dons as Player/Coach in May 2010. 2011 - Cissé moved to S.S. Lazio from Panathinaikos for €5.8m, having helped the Greek side to a League and Cup double while netting 51 times in 89 outings. Happy birthdays 1958 - Former reds forward Michael Robinson was born in Leicester. Joe Fagan brought the Irish international to Anfield in August 1983 from Brighton & Hove Albion for £200,000. In his first season at the club he won the League title and European Cup, bagging a total of thirteen goals in 52 games before moving to Queens Park Rangers for £100,000 in December 1984. 1979 - Midfielder Danny Williams was born in Wrexham. He never broke through to the first team at Anfield and signed for his hometown club on a free transfer in March 1999. Best ever Aussie 2012 – Ex-reds left-winger Harry Kewell was named as Australia’s greatest ever player in a vote by Australian fans, players and media, having struck seventeen times in 58 senior internationals. He signed from Leeds United for £5m in July 2003, but his time at Anfield was somewhat disappointing due to a series of niggling injuries, as he bagged sixteen goals in 139 reds games before moving to Galatasaray as his contract expired in July 2008. He helped us to claim the Champions League and FA Cup in his reds career, although he limped out of both finals. Debutants galore 2008 - Keeper Diego Cavalieri, right-back Philipp Degen, centre-half Martin Kelly and forward Dani Pacheco all played their first reds games, as Yossi Benayoun bagged the only goal of our opening pre-season friendly at Tranmere Rovers. 2017 – Midfielder Pedro Chirivella struck his first reds goal as we thumped Tranmere Rovers 4-0 in our opening pre-season friendly at Prenton Park, with Marko Grujic also scoring as James Milner and Ben Woodburn both converted penalties. Keeper Kamil Grabara and forward Dominic Solanke both made their first senior appearances. 2022 – Midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, forward Fábio Carvalho, left-back Luke Chambers, forward Bobby Clark, right-back Isaac Mabaya and forward Darwin Núñez all appeared for the first time as we were thumped 4-0 by Manchester United in the Bangkok Century Cup in the Thai capital. On the world stage 2014 – Future red Gini Wijnaldum struck for the Netherlands as they beat host nation Brazil 3-0 in the World Cup Third Place Play-off in Brasilia, with ex-red Dirk Kuyt also featuring. 2007 - Young reds left-back Emiliano Insúa played for Argentina Under-20’s as they beat Poland 3-1 in Toronto to reach the Quarter-finals of the World Championship Finals. 1998 – Future reds goalkeeping coach Cláudio Taffarel won his 101st and final cap for Brazil in their 3-0 defeat by France in the World Cup Final in the Stade de France. 1989 – Taffarel also played as Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 in a Copa América final round game in Rio de Janeiro. More arrivals 2002 - Bruno Cheyrou was confirmed as a reds player after receiving international clearance, joining from Lille OSC Métropole for £3.7m. He struck five times in 48 reds games before moving to Stade Rennais in June 2006, after previous loan spells with Olympique de Marseille and Girondins de Bordeaux. 2009 – Reserves left-back Chris Mavinga signed from Paris Saint-Germain. He failed to make the first team, being sold to Stade Rennais for £1m in July 2011. Mixed Euro fortunes 2012 - Suso was on the winning side as Spain Under-19’s beat France on penalties to reach the European Championships Final in Estonia. On the same day, Jack Robinson featured as England lost out to Greece at the same stage. 2015 – Future red Kostas Tsimikas played for Greece Under-19’s in their 2-0 home defeat by France in a group encounter. 2016 – Future red Dominic Solanke scored for England Under-19’s as they beat France 2-1 in a group game in Germany. Sheyi Ojo and Jordan Rossiter both also featured. Bowyer on his way 2002 - It was announced that a fee had been agreed with Leeds United for the controversial capture of midfielder Lee Bowyer. He was expected to sign on at Anfield the following week, although the deal fell through after Gérard Houllier grew uncomfortable with the player’s attitude and level of commitment to Liverpool. Red learnings 2000 - Liverpool’s ground-breaking Study Support centre in the Kop stand was officially opened by Professor Michael Barber, Head of the Government’s Standards & Effectiveness Unit for Education. The Centre’s goal is to provide youngsters with opportunities to improve skills in literacy, numeracy, ICT and independent learning, as well as improving their self-esteem and confidence. 2010 – The club announced the appointment of five new staff to the Sports Science and Sports Medicine department. Phil’s sad day 2006 - The funeral of former player, Coach and Manager Phil Taylor’s wife Maisey was held at Thornton crematorium. Also on the move 2019 – Peter Crouch announced his retirement from playing. He had arrived at Anfield for £7m in July 2005, striking 42 times in 134 reds games, despite not notching in his first nineteen outings, helping us to claim the FA Cup and FA Community Shield, but was sold to Portsmouth for a fee of up to £11m in July 2008. 2017 – Ex-reds midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven joined Aberdeen from Celtic, netting sixteen goals in 72 games before moving to New York City on a free transfer in June 2019. 2015 – Right-back Glen Johnson signed for Stoke City, having been released at the end of the previous season. On the same day, ex-reserves midfielder Jordan Lussey moved to Bolton Wanderers. 2006 - Mike Marsh joined the coaching staff at Southport, one of his former clubs. 2004 - Ex-reserves keeper Ian Dunbavin joined Halifax Town on a free transfer from Shrewsbury Town. He turned out 56 times for the Shaymen before joining Accrington Stanley in the summer of 2006. 1996 – Current Chief Scout Barry Hunter joined Reading from Wrexham for £400,000 after six goals in 120 games for the Dragons. Signing on 2021 – Left-back Owen Beck signed a new contract. He has so far made two senior appearances, also sitting on the bench on another four occasions. Also in international action 2011 – Luis Súarez and future red Sebastián Coates both played for Uruguay as they beat Mexico 1-0 in a Copa América group game in Argentina. Future red Mohamed Salah featured for Egypt Under-20’s on the same day in their 1-1 friendly draw in Costa Rica. 2021 – Future reds midfielder Wataru Endō played for Japan Under-23’s in their 3-1 defeat of Honduras in Osaka. 1988 – Future red Øyvind Leonhardsen featured for Norway Under-17’s as they lost a tournament game 2-0 to Denmark in Poland. Young reds on trial 2002 - Three of the club’s Under-19’s were invited for trials at Third Division Torquay United. Brian McIlroy, Neil Prince and David Chambers had all recently been released from Melwood. Prince was the only one to be taken on, signing on permanently the following month.

Four for Mo 2018 – Mohamed Salah struck four times as we thumped Watford 5-0 at Anfield, which included his first hat-trick for the club. Roberto Firmino was also on target. Didi’s belter 2004 - Dietmar Hamann’s goal at home to Portsmouth was later voted as Match Of The Day’s Goal of the Season. Michael Owen then added a brace as we won 3-0, with his first goal being our 500th under the sole charge of Gérard Houllier. El-Hadji Diouf played his 75th reds game, and fiftieth in the League. Carra’s Euro record 2011 - Jamie Carragher played his 46th game in the UEFA Cup or UEFA Europa League, a new club record for this tournament under its several guises. We were held to a goalless draw by Sporting Clube de Braga at Anfield, having already lost the first leg in Portugal, with Pepe Reina playing his 300th reds game. Sadio again 2019 - Sadio Mané scored in his third consecutive game as we won 2-1 at Fulham. Ex-red Ryan Babel equalised for the home side before James Milner converted a late penalty to secure the win and send us back to the top of the table. Feliz aniversario 1983 – Portuguese midfielder Raúl Meireles was born in Porto. He signed from his hometown club for £11.5m in August 2010, bagging five goals in 44 matches, with all these strikes coming in a six-game spell since Kenny Dalglish’s return as Manager. He left for Chelsea in a £12m deal a year after arriving in L4. A short Euro trip 2016 – We held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the second leg of our UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie, to progress 3-1 on aggregate. Anthony Martial put the home side ahead from the spot before Philippe Coutinho bagged a stunning equaliser just before half time. Disappointment down the East Lancs 2024 – We lost our FA Cup Sixth Round tie 4-3 at Manchester United after extra time. Scott McTominay gave the home side an early lead, with Alexis MacAllister netting in his third consecutive game for the club and Mohamed Salah also on target before the break. Antony levelled shortly before full time, but Harvey Elliott restored our lead in extra time. Marcus Rashford bagged his seventh and most recent goal against us, before Amad Diallo struck the winner in stoppage time, before being dismissed for a second yellow card following his celebrations. Bobby Clark had come off the bench in extra time for his fourteenth and final reds appearance. More European memories 1965 - Our first continental game on this day was a goalless European Cup Third Round second leg match with 1. FC Köln, after the original meeting two weeks earlier had been postponed due to snow. The tie had to go to a third game, as both legs had finished without score. We eventually went through on a coin toss! 1976 - We beat Dynamo Dresden 2-1 in the UEFA Cup Fourth Round second leg at Anfield after a goalless first leg draw in East Germany, on our way to winning the trophy for the second time. Jimmy Case opened the scoring after hitting the bar, with Kevin Keegan also netting in what was Bill Shankly’s hundredth game in charge. 1982 - We lost 2-0 in Bulgaria to CSKA Sofia in the European Cup Third Round, having only won the first leg 1-0 at Anfield, although Ian Rush’s header after just two minutes appeared to cross the line, and we had two strong penalty appeals turned down. With twelve minutes remaining, Bruce Grobbelaar was caught in two minds about coming out for a ball, and Stoycho Mladenov nodded into an empty net. The game then went into extra time, and a deflected Mladenov shot evaded a host of reds defenders on the line to put CSKA ahead on aggregate. There was still time for both Ronnie Whelan and Mark Lawrenson to hit the woodwork, and Lawrenson was also sent off for retaliation, our first dismissal in European competition. On the way to Wembley 1986 - We won 2-1 at Watford in an FA Cup Sixth Round replay. John Barnes put the Hornets ahead from a free-kick, before Jan Mølby equalised from the spot in the 86th minute. Ian Rush sent us through in extra time, keeping us on course for the double. Thumping Boro 1906 - We beat Middlesbrough 6-1 with forward John Carlin grabbing his two final reds goals, and our other goals coming from Jack Cox, Arthur Goddard, Joe Hewitt and Jack Parkinson. Debutants 1894 – Inside-right John Givens scored on his reds bow in a 1-1 Second Division draw at Lincoln City, our first ever game on this day in history. Future red John Chadburn struck for the Imps. 1934 - Left-back Ernie Blenkinsop and forward Vic Wright both made their reds debuts in our 4-1 League win at home to Birmingham City, a game that saw Gordon Hodgson score all our goals. Derby stalemate 1917 - We drew a Wartime League match at Goodison Park 2-2, with Thomas Bennett and Walter Wadsworth netting for the reds. Farewells 1902 – Club founder John Houlding died. 1956 – Winger Joe Dickson bagged his final two reds goals as we beat Swansea Town 4-1 at Anfield in a Second Division match. Billy Liddell and Eric Anderson also netted. Youngsters reach the Final 2006 - The reds reached the FA Youth Cup Final, beating Southampton in a penalty shoot-out after the tie had ended 4-4 after two legs. Happy birthdays 1956 - Frank McGarvey was born in Glasgow. He arrived from Celtic for £300,000 in May 1979 after bagging 113 goals in 245 League games for the Hoops. However, he never broke into the first-team at Anfield, moving back to Celtic for £270,000 in March 1980, becoming Scotland’s most expensive footballer. 1983 - Former reserves midfielder Neil Prince was born. He also failed to make the grade at Anfield, leaving for Torquay United on a free transfer in August 2002. Aldo sacked 2001 - John Aldridge was sacked as Manager of Tranmere Rovers after nearly five years in charge. He kept them in mid-table in the First Division until his final season, as well as leading them to the Worthington Cup Final in 2000 and the FA Cup Quarter-finals that same season. Off on loan 1993 - Bruce Grobbelaar joined Stoke City on loan. He played four games for the Potters, who were on their way to the Second Division title, before briefly returning to our first team at the expense of David James. 1997 - Ex-reds reserves forward Mike Newell joined Bradford City on loan from fellow First Division side Birmingham City. He made seven appearances for the Bantams, without getting on the scoresheet. 2011 – Future red Fabio Borini joined Swansea City from Chelsea. He struck six times in twelve goals while in South Wales as the Swans gained promotion to the top flight. International firsts 1900 – Ex-red Dan Cunliffe won his only England cap in their 2-0 defeat of Ireland in the British International Championships at Lansdowne Road. 1913 - Ernest Peake netted his only Welsh goal as they lost 4-3 to England in Bristol. 1923 - Jock McNab won his only cap in Scotland’s 2-0 defeat of Wales at St. Mirren. Other reds games 1973 – John Mahoney netted a spectacular own goal as we won 1-0 at Stoke City. 1962 – We were held to a 2-2 draw in a Second Division match at Leyton Orient with Alan A’Court nabbing a late double. 1951 – We beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Anfield with Billy Liddell scoring direct from a free kick and then converting a penalty. 1928 – Cardiff City won 2-1 in L4 despite Tommy Reid giving us a half-time lead. Len Davies scored one of his seven goals against the reds, with Billy Thirlaway netting the winner. 1923 – We lost 1-0 at Manchester City’s old Hyde Road ground. Horace Barnes struck one of his nine goals past us as we remained top of the table. 1900 – Tommy Robertson and Johnny Walker scored as we beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Anfield. Young future reds for England 1982 - Middlesbrough’s David Hodgson struck for England Under-21’s as they won 2-1 in Poland in a European Championship Finals Quarter-final. Steve McMahon, then playing across the park, also featured. Also in international action 1936 – Ex-red Jimmy Kelly played for the Irish Free State as they beat Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly in Dublin. 1977 – Future red Glenn Hysén played for Sweden Under-18’s as they won a friendly 23-1 in Denmark. 1993 – Roy Hodgson took charged of Switzerland as they won a friendly 1-0 in Tunisia. 1999 – Future red Milan Baroš featured as the Czech Republic Under-18’s beat Poland 3-1 in a friendly. 2010 – Future red Suso played as Spain Under-17’s thumped Northern Ireland 4-0.

Luis born 1987 – Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez was born in Salto. He signed from Ajax for a club record fee of up to €26.5m in January 2011 and bagged an impressive 82 goals in 133 dazzling reds outings. He helped us to claim the League Cup before joining Barcelona for a club record £75m in July 2014. Derby disappointments We have faced our nearest neighbours twice on this day in history, without tasting victory. 1995 - We were held to a goalless draw at Anfield in the Premiership, with ex-red David Burrows somewhat fortunate to stay on the pitch after hacking down Robbie Fowler having already been booked. 1981 - We lost 2-1 at Goodison in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with substitute Jimmy Case netting our consolation, his 46th and final reds goal. Peter Eastoe netted the last of his four goals against the reds, with Imre Varadi also on target. Cup victory 2004 - A Bruno Cheyrou brace, his final reds goals, took us past Newcastle United in the FA Cup Fourth Round at a noisy Anfield, as we won 2-1 with Laurent Robert scoring for the visitors. Unfortunately, we went out to Portsmouth in the next round. 1987 - We also beat the Geordies in L4 with Paul Walsh and Ian Rush securing a 2-0 League victory as Alan Hansen played his 500th reds game while John Wark reached a century of outings for the club. 1959 - Fred Morris bagged a brace as we drew 2-2 with them in a friendly at Anfield. The Kop’s inspiration 1900 - The battle of Spion Kop took place, during the Boer War. It is from this battle, at which many British soldiers died including 320 Lancashire Fusiliers, that the Kop at Anfield, and several other grounds, gets its name. If you like Croatian players, we’ve got Bišcan at our club 2001 - Igor Bišcan scored his first reds goal as we thumped Crystal Palace 5-0 at Anfield to progress to the Worthington Cup Final, 6-2 on aggregate. Danny Murphy bagged a brace, to add to strikes from Robbie Fowler and a bearded Vladimír Šmicer. Most recently 2024 – We drew the second leg of our League Cup Semi-final 1-1 at Fulham, with Luis Díaz on target early on as we progressed to Wembley 3-2 on aggregate. 2021 – We lost 3-2 behind closed doors at Manchester United in an FA Cup Fourth Round tie, with Mohamed Salah bagging a brace. Mason Greenwood struck for the home side before Marcus Rashford netted one of his seven past us to date, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a free-kick to knock us out. 2015 – We were held to a goalless draw at Anfield by Bolton Wanderers in another Fourth Round fixture, with future reds keeper Ádám Bogdán impressing in the visitors’ goal. We won the replay, making it as far as the Semi-final that season. Off the mark 1914 – Forward Bob McDougall scored on his reds debut, the only goal of the game at West Bromwich Albion, and his only strike for us. Forward Jimmy Nicholl made the first of his 59 appearances for the reds. 1920 - Left-half Tom Bromilow grabbed the first of his eleven reds goals as we won 3-0 at Bolton Wanderers, with Billy Lacey and Tom Miller also scoring. Red farewells 1999 – Steve Harkness and Jason McAteer both played their 139th and final reds games in our cruel 2-1 defeat at Manchester United in the FA Cup Fourth Round. Michael Owen gave us an early lead, but United struck twice in the dying minutes, through one of Dwight Yorke’s eight goals past us and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. 1948 - We also lost to United at the same stage, going down 3-0 at Goodison Park. John Morris struck one of his seven goals past us, with Jack Rowley bagging one of his six and Charlie Mitten netting one of his five past us. 1953 – Half-back Jack Heydon made his 67th and last appearance for the club in our 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth, with Bob Paisley netting for the reds. Peter Harris bagged one of his eight goals against the reds, with Jimmy Scoular and Jack Henderson also on target. Rush hangs up his boots 1996 - Ian Rush played his final game for Wales, featuring in their 3-0 friendly defeat by Italy in Terni. It was his 73rd cap, in which time he scored 28 times, a Welsh record. Future red Rigobert Song played for Cameroon on the same day as they drew 3-3 with Angola in an Africa Cup of Nations Finals group game in South Africa. Red births and death 1885 – Forward James Garside was born in West Gorton, Manchester. He signed from Accrington Stanley in March 1904, but only played five times without scoring before returning to Stanley in May 1906. 1889 – Keeper Augustus Beeby was born in Osmaston, Derbyshire. He joined the club in December 1908 but only made sixteen senior appearances before leaving for Manchester City in May 1911. 1909 - Forward Vic Wright was born in Bloxwich, Walsall. He struck 33 times in 85 reds games after signing from Rotherham United in March 1934. He moved on to Plymouth Argyle in June 1937. 1975 - Outside-left Albert Pearson died in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He bagged four goals in 51 reds games following his capture from Port Vale in March 1919. He was only a red for two years, before returning to the Valiants. Avoiding a shock 1970 - Ray Smith struck for Fourth Division Wrexham to hand the Welsh side an interval lead in our FA Cup Fourth Round tie at Anfield. Fortunately, Bobby Graham bagged a brace with Ian St. John also on target as we won 3-1, with ex-Robin Peter ‘Max’ Wall in the reds side. We went out at Watford in the Sixth Round that season. God signs on 1999 - Robbie Fowler signed a new four-year contract, worth around £30,000 per week. He said in his autobiography that this was “almost half what the papers said I was getting, not at all bad, though”. 2008 – Centre-half Andre Wisdom signed from Bradford City. He made 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. In comes Jordy 2007 - Young forward Jordy Brouwer signed from Ajax, having scored 28 times in the Dutch youth league the previous season. He stayed with the second string until joining RKC Waalwijk on loan in January 2009. On the same day, David Mannix’s contract was terminated by mutual consent, and he signed for Norwegian side Ham-Kam a few days later. Tosh on target at Wembley 1973 - John Toshack netted for Wales as they drew 1-1 with England in a World Cup qualifier. Fellow reds Ray Clemence, Emlyn Hughes and Kevin Keegan were in the home side that day. On their way 1994 - Paul Stewart joined Crystal Palace on loan. He bagged three goals in eighteen games while at Selhurst Park as they won the First Division title. 2003 - Abel Xavier joined Galatasaray on loan, just one week shy of a year after his £800,000 transfer from across Stanley Park. On the same day, ex-reserves midfielder Neil Prince signed for Southport, having been released by Torquay United two months earlier. He only made one senior appearance for the Gulls, before joining fellow Conference side Leigh RMI. 2008 - Reserves centre-back Jack Hobbs joined Sc***horpe United on loan, after just five first-team appearances. He left Anfield to join Leicester City for £400,000 in April 2009. 2014 – Centre-half Daniel Ayala joined Middlesbrough from Norwich City for £350,000 after a successful loan spell in the north east. On the same day, Jermaine Pennant was released by Stoke City. 2015 – Midfielder Lee Peltier left Huddersfield Town to join Cardiff City, after just twelve games in his second spell with the Terriers. 2018 – Javier Mascherano joined Hebei China Fortune from Barcelona after just one goal in 334 games for the Catalans. 2019 – Midfielder Alexis Mac Aliister joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Argentinos Juniors, going on to score twenty times in 112 games for the Seagulls. 2024 – Young midfielder James Balagizi joined Kilmarnock on loan, making seven senior appearances while at Rugby Park. New centre opened 2000 - The Ian Frodsham Indoor Soccer Arena was opened by the Minister for Sport, Kate Hoey MP, marking the completion of the second phase of the club’s Academy. William’s last 1925 - Scottish left-winger Billy Chalmers played his second and final reds game in our 4-0 thumping of Bury in a top-flight fixture at Anfield. Danny Shone bagged a brace with Archie Rawlings and Jimmy Walsh also on the scoresheet. International bows 1998 - Brad Friedel won his 54th cap for the USA, and his first as a red, as they beat Sweden 1-0 in a friendly in Orlando. 2017 – Future red Luis Díaz made his debut for Colombia Under-20’s as they beat Brazil 1-0 in a South American Championships group game in Ecuador, with midfielder Allan on the losing side. Also in international action 2013 – Ex-red Momo Sissoko featured as Mali lost 1-0 to Ghana in an Africa Cup of Nations Finals group game in South Africa. 2019 – Wataru Endō and Takumi Minamino played as Japan beat Vietnam 1-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Quarter-final in Dubai. On the same day, fellow future red Darwin Núñez featured for Uruguay Under-20’s as they lost 1-0 to Argentina in a South American Championships group game in Chile. 2024 – Endō captained Japan as they beat Indonesia 3-0 in an AFC Asian Cup group game in Qatar, with ex-red Minamino also playing. Kolo Touré played three times for the Ivory Coast in Africa Cup of Nations games on this day over the years. 2006 – Ivory Coast beat Libya 2-1 in a group game as they made it all the way to the Final that year. 2010 – Algeria won 3-2 after extra time in a Quarter-final in Angola. 2015 – He played in a 1-1 draw with Mali in a group game in Equatorial Guinea, with future red Naby Keïta featuring in Guinea’s 1-1 draw with Cameroon. On the same day, future red Ibrahima Konaté played for France Under-16’s in their 4-2 defeat by Turkey. 2018 – Rigobert Song took charge of Cameroon as they drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso in the African Nations Championship in Morocco to finish bottom of their group. 2009 – Ronald Huth played for Paraguay as they lost 4-2 to Uruguay in a Sudamericano Sub-20 "Juventud de América" group game in Venezuela. Other reds games 2015 – Bolton Wanderers held us to a goalless draw in an FA Cup Fourth Round tie at Anfield. We made it as far as the Semi-final that season. 1976 – Substitute Roger Davies bagged the only goal of our visit to Derby County at the same stage. 1931 – We drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa in a top-flight fixture, with Gordon Hodgson on target after Billy Walker had given the visitors a late lead with the last of his five goals past us. Uncle Roy the dad 1975 - Reds left-back Roy Evans and his wife Mary had their first child, Stephen.

Stevie at the treble 2010 - Steven Gerrard scored a second-half hat-trick as we came from behind to beat SSC Napoli 3-1 in our UEFA Europa League group game at Anfield, only the second reds substitute to net a treble, which included a penalty. Ezequiel Lavezzi put the visitors ahead, who included ex-red Andrea Dossena in their ranks. Five thousand goals 1990 - Ian Rush’s second goal in our 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur was our 5,000th goal in top-flight League football. Peter Beardsley also netted for the reds, having come on in place of John Barnes early in the first half. Bruce Grobbelaar reached a personal milestone in this game, playing for the reds for the 500th time as we won for the tenth time in our opening eleven League matches. Gary Lineker netted Spurs’ consolation, the last of his six strikes past us. We have visited Spurs twice more for First Division matches on this day in history. 1922 - Harry Chambers bagged a brace with Cyril Gilhespy netting his third and final reds goal and Dick Forshaw also on target as we won 4-2. 1967 - Roger Hunt struck as we held them to a draw, with Welsh winger Cliff Jones bagging one of his five strikes against the reds. Recent milestones 2006 - Jamie Carragher played his 300th League game as a Dirk Kuyt brace was enough to see off Reading at Anfield in our first ever League encounter. 2009 - Andriy Voronin played his fortieth and final reds game as we held Olympique Lyonnais to a 1-1 draw in their Stade Gerland, before being replaced by goalscorer Ryan Babel. Unfortunately, Lisandro López bagged a late equaliser. 2012 – Steven Gerrard played his 600th game for the club as we were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield by Newcastle United. Yohan Cabaye put the visitors ahead just before the break, with Luis Suárez bagging a sublime equaliser midway through the second period. 2017 – Keeper Simon Mignolet skippered the side for the first time as we thumped West Ham United 4-1 at their London Stadium. Mohamed Salah and Joël Matip scored inside the first half an hour, with Manuel Lanzini pulling a goal back after the break. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain soon restored our two-goal lead, with Salah then adding his second. Razor sharpened 1987 - Ray Houghton notched his first reds goal as we drew 1-1 at Wimbledon’s Plough Lane, with Steve McMahon reaching a century of appearances for the club. Cally off the mark 1961 - Ian Callaghan struck the first of his 68 reds goals as we won 3-1 at Preston North End in a Second Division match, our most recent League visit. Preston-born Gordon Milne netted against his former club with Ian St. John also on the scoresheet as we secured our first win there in thirteen attempts. 1895 - We also visited Deepdale when Jimmy Ross netted as we lost a testimonial played for Preston’s Bob Holmes 2-1. 1907 – Preston won a Lancashire Senior Cup Semi-final 2-1 at Anfield, with left-half Jim Bradley nabbing our goal. 1911 - John Bovill bagged his first reds goals, striking twice in our 3-0 defeat of Notts County at Anfield. Arthur Goddard was also on the scoresheet. Happy birthday Gerd 1982 - Neil Mellor was born in Sheffield. He struck six times in 22 senior appearances for the reds, before moving to Preston North End in August 2006 for a reported £0.5m. Kettle’s debut 1975 - Left-back Brian Kettle made his reds debut in our 6-0 UEFA Cup Second Round thumping of Real Sociedad, as we went through 9-1 on aggregate en route to our second triumph in the competition. David Fairclough struck his first reds goal in just his second game with Phil Neal also scoring for the first time as centre-half Max Thompson appeared for the second and last time. Ray Kennedy nabbed a brace with John Toshack and Steve Heighway also on the scoresheet, while Kevin Keegan blasted a penalty over the bar. Thumping the Mancs 2001 - A Michael Owen brace and a John Arne Riise belter gave us a 3-1 win over Manchester United in an 11:30 kick off, to record our third victory over them that year, and third straight League win for the first time since December 1979. David Beckham netted for the visitors. 1944 - We also hosted them in Wartime League match with Don Welsh netting twice, including a penalty, in a 3-2 victory, as we also benefited from a Roughton own goal. Spanish stalemate 2008 - We had to rely on a stoppage-time Steven Gerrard penalty to secure a 1-1 draw with Club Atlético de Madrid in our home UEFA Champions League group game. Future red Maxi Rodríguez had given the visitors the lead, with Fernando Torres again missing out against his former club due to injury. The spot-kick we were awarded was generous, but we had already been denied two much better shouts. Ex-red Luis García featured against us. Meanwhile, new Argentina boss Diego Maradona declared that he wanted Javier Mascherano to take over as captain of his country. 2014 – We lost 1-0 at Real Madrid in another group game with Karim Benzema on target, one of his seven goals past us to date. This was our third consecutive defeat and third consecutive game without scoring in Europe, both joint club records. Players of the year 2006 - Sami Hyypiä was named Finland’s Player of the Year for the sixth time in eight years. 2003 - John Arne Riise was named the Norwegian PFA Player of the Year for the second year running. Four against 2000 - Mark Viduka scored four goals as Leeds United won a 4-3 thriller at Elland Road, the first of his six strikes against us. Christian Ziege scored his first reds goal, with Sami Hyypiä and Vladimír Šmicer also on target, while Patrik Berger suffered a serious knee injury. This was the first time an opposing player had notched four times against the reds since Jimmy Greaves for Tottenham Hotspur in April 1963. For King Billy 2004 - A plaque in honour of Billy Liddell was unveiled at Anfield. Off against the Russians again 1992 - Mike Marsh was sent off late on in Spartak Moskva’s 2-0 win at Anfield as we crashed out of the European Cup Winners’ Cup 6-2 on aggregate at the Second Round stage. This followed Bruce Grobbelaar’s dismissal in the first leg, and Paul Stewart’s in our preceding game to complete an unwelcome treble. A rare strike against 1978 - Forward John Hawley scored one of only four opposition goals in the League at Anfield that season, as Leeds United left with a point after using rough-house tactics to help secure a 1-1 draw. Terry McDermott was on target for the reds from the spot. Phil Neal had earlier struck a penalty against a post as we dropped points at home for the first time that season, in our seventh home fixture. An Anfield treble 1950 - Chilean forward George Robledo scored a hat-trick for Newcastle United as they won 4-2 at Anfield, the first of his five strikes against us, with Ernest Taylor netting one of his five goals past the reds. Our goals came from Jimmy Payne and a Billy Liddell penalty as keeper Cyril Sidlow played his 165th and last reds game. 1995 - We also lost at St. James’ Park, with Ian Rush grabbing our goal in a 2-1 defeat. Les Ferdinand bagged one of his six goals past us, with Steve Watson also scoring for the Geordies. 1893 - However, we thumped them 5-1 at Anfield when Patrick Gordon struck twice with Harry Bradshaw, Douglas Dick and Jimmy Stott all also on target in our Second Division meeting, the first time we had ever faced the Geordie outfit. These were the first reds strikes for both Bradshaw and Dick. Also in Europe 1970 - We moved into the Third Round of the Fairs Cup, holding Dinamo Bucureşti to a draw on their own patch to progress 4-1 on aggregate, with our equaliser coming from substitute Phil Boersma, the first of his thirty reds goals. 1981 - A thrilling night at Anfield ended in a 3-2 defeat of the previous season’s losing UEFA Cup Finalists AZ’67 Alkmaar, as we reached the Third Round of the European Cup 5-4 on aggregate. The Dutch champions equalised twice after a Terry McDermott penalty and an Ian Rush strike before Alan Hansen won it with five minutes to go. Alkmaar’s second equaliser came from a 25-yard shot from future Nottingham Forest star Johnny Metgod that bounced down from the crossbar and onto Phil Thompson’s foot for a bizarre own goal. Kees Kist scored in both legs for the Dutch side. 1997 - We beat Racing Club de Strasbourg 2-0 at Anfield thanks to a penalty from Robbie Fowler and a late goal from Karlheinz Riedle. This was our hundredth win in Europe, excluding those secured through penalty shoot-outs or coin tosses. However, this was not enough to overcome a three goal first-leg deficit as we went out of the UEFA Cup at the Second Round stage. A rare defeat 1989 - Coventry City won at Anfield for the first time, at the 23rd attempt, when Cyrille Regis struck the only goal of the game, the last of his four strikes past us. Elisha’s last 1933 - Elisha Scott won his 27th and last cap as a reds player as Northern Ireland were held to a 1-1 draw by Wales in the British International Championships in Belfast. He went on to win 31 in total, remaining the last red to achieve full international honours with the province until Ryan McLaughlin in May 2014. Facing the Trotters We have twice faced Bolton Wanderers in the Lancashire Senior Cup in the 1930’s, without tasting defeat. 1939 – We won a First Round tie 3-1 at Burnden Park, with Phil Taylor netting twice and Willie Fagan also on target. 1931 – We were held to a 1-1 Third Round draw at Anfield, with Jimmy Smith nabbing our goal. In and out 2002 - Young ex-reds midfielder Neil Prince was released by Torquay United, just three months after arriving at Plainmoor. He had made eight appearances for the Gulls, and then moved into non-League football. 2010 – Icelandic midfielder Victor Pálsson joined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan, for whom he played three times. He left Anfield to sign for Hibernian in January 2011. 2011 – Ex-reserves forward Krisztián Németh re-signed for MTK Hungária, scoring in his only League outing before joining Dutch side RKC Waalwijk two months later. On the same day, future red Tiago Ilori played for Portugal Under-19’s as they trounced the Faroe Islands 9-1 in a friendly. 2022 - Pako Ayestarán was appointed Assistant Head Coach of Aston Villa, working under Unai Emery. 1903 - Right-back Alf West signed from Barnsley St. Peter’s for £500. He struck six times in 141 reds games across two spells at Anfield. He helped us to the Second Division championship in 1905 and our second League title a year later, joining Reading in June 1909, becoming their club captain but he only stayed for a season before returning to Anfield in May 1910. He only played five times in this second spell before joining Notts County in July 1911. Other reds games 1972 – We beat Chelsea 3-1 at Anfield with Kevin Keegan adding to a John Toshack brace. 1933 – Sam English and Gordon Hodgson netted as we won 2-1 at Birmingham City. After the game, Chairman W.H. Cartwright went into the dressing room to inform English that he had just become the father of a baby daughter. 1905 – We beat Bury 3-1 in L4 with Bobby Robinson scoring twice and John Carlin also netting. 1899 – John Hunter and Tommy Robertson were on target as Sheffield United held us to a 2-1 draw at Anfield. Youngsters for England 2021 – Jayden Danns bagged a brace, his only goals for England Under-16’s, as they beat Belgium 3-2 in a friendly in France. 1964 - Future red David Wilson won his seventh and final cap for England Under-23’s as they beat Wales 3-2 in a friendly at the Racecourse Ground. 2023 – Future red Rio Ngumoha played for England Under-16’s in their 2-2 friendly draw with Switzerland in France, before winning a penalty shoot-out. Keepers on the move 2005 - Paul Harrison joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, having been released from Anfield at the end of the previous season. He never made their first team, soon moving on to Chester City. 2003 – Aussie custodian Brad Jones joined Blackpool on loan from Middlesbrough. He played seven times, returning for another spell a year later. 1983 - Future reds loanee keeper Mark Prudhoe joined Hartlepool United on loan from Sunderland. He turned out for them three times in the Fourth Division.

Wembley win 1980 - A Terry McDermott goal gave us the FA Charity Shield against FA Cup holders West Ham United at Wembley in the traditional curtain-raiser to the season. This was our fifth outright Shield win, retaining it after also having won it the previous season, while the goal was our 6,000th in all competitions. Bruce makes his bow 1981 - Bruce Grobbelaar made his first reds appearance in our 3-0 win at Zürich. Kenny Dalglish and Ray Kennedy netted, with Phil Neal converting a penalty. The game was due to be played the day before, but torrential rain had made the pitch unplayable. Management debuts 1947 – Former reds boss Roy Hodgson was born in Croydon. He arrived from Fulham in July 2010, only leading us to thirteen victories in his 31 games matches in charge, leaving “by mutual consent” six months later. 2010 – Ex-reds midfielder Kevin MacDonald was appointed Caretaker Manager of Aston Villa after Martin O’Neill’s sudden departure. He took charge of them for seven games until Gérard Houllier’s arrival. 2023 – Former reds Under-23’s Assistant Coach Gary O’Neil was appointed Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading them to seventeen wins in 45 games in charge in his first campaign. Ton up 2019 – Divock Origi played his hundredth reds game as we beat Norwich City 4-1 at Anfield in our opening League fixture of a triumphant campaign. All our goals came before the break, with Grant Hanley turning an Origi cross into his own net before Mohamed Salah struck. Virgil van Dijk and Origi then both headed in either side of an injury sustained by Alisson Becker that brought the debut of Adrián. Teemu Pukki bagged a second-half consolation for the visitors. Quick off the mark 2006 - Craig Bellamy and Mark González both scored on their reds debuts as we came from behind to beat Maccabi Haifa 2-1 in the first leg of our Champions League qualifier at Anfield. This was the first time a pair of debutants had scored since a 3-0 defeat of Bury in August 1928, with Jermaine Pennant also making his official reds bow as Sami Hyypiä played his fiftieth game in the competitions for the reds. Fabio starts out 2012 - Fabio Borini struck his first reds goal as we beat Belarusian side Gomel 3-0 in our UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round second leg encounter at Anfield. Steven Gerrard scored his 150th goal for the club, with Glen Johnson also netting. Multiple debutants 2015 – Centre-forward Christian Benteke, right-back Nathaniel Clyne, forward Roberto Firmino, defender Joe Gomez and midfielder James Milner all made their reds bows as a late Philippe Coutinho strike earned us a 1-0 victory at Stoke City in the opening game of the season, just eleven weeks after our 6-1 humiliation at the same venue. 1997 – Paul Ince and Danny Murphy made their first-class reds debuts in our 1-1 draw with Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. Karl-Heinz Riedle also made his reds bow, aged 31 years and 328 days, a then club record for our oldest debutant. Michael Owen scored from the spot. Heading off 1982 – Forward David Johnson re-joined Everton for £100,000 after 78 times in 213 reds games. He had arrived at Anfield from Ipswich Town in August 1976 for a record £200,000 fee, and went on to win three League titles, European Cup, UEFA Super Cup and two FA Charity Shields, as well as becoming the first player to score for both sides in the Merseyside derby. 2013 – Midfielder Jay Spearing joined Bolton Wanderers, having spent a successful season on loan with the Trotters. He had graduated to Melwood in the summer of 2007 after captaining the reds as they retained the FA Youth Cup that May. He made 55 senior reds appearances without finding the back of the net. 2018 – Danny Ings joined Southampton on loan for the season, making the move permanent for an initial £18m fee in July 2019. He had only struck four times in 25 games since signing from Burnley in July 2015 as he suffered two serious injuries. Backing Michael 2005 - Rafael Benítez backed Michael Shields, ahead of our game against CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria, saying, “We support Michael Shields’ family and we also support the family of Martin Georgiev. It is up to the court to decide what to do with Michael, but we hope to see him back in England soon.” He was eventually pardoned and released in September 2009. Benítez against Houllier 2003 - Rafael Benítez’s Valencia left Anfield with the Ladbroke.com Cup, having beaten the reds 2-0, with the goals coming from Vicente Rodríguez and Xisco Muñoz. Testimonials 1996 - Our most recent testimonial fixture on this day was held in honour of Jan Mølby in front of a crowd of just 8,316. PSV Eindhoven provided the opposition, leaving Anfield having won 3-2 with Mølby playing just under an hour. Stan Collymore was on target with Stig Inge Bjørnebye also heading a goal after we had gone three goals behind, while the eventual winning goal came from second half substitute Bolo Zenden. Robbie Fowler had to be substituted on the referee’s advice after an ugly confrontation with PSV’s Bjorn van der Doelen. 1993 - A testimonial for Ronnie Whelan was played at Anfield with Newcastle United providing the opposition. Neil Ruddock scored the only goal of the game, his first for the reds. He also broke ex-red Peter Beardsley’s cheekbone in a collision. 1987 - We travelled north of the border to face Celtic in a match in aid of their legendary player Tommy Burns, with the reds running out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Ronnie Whelan. Chelsea at Anfield 1969 - We kicked off our season with a 4-1 defeat of Chelsea at Anfield in what was Bill Shankly’s 400th League game in charge of the reds. Ian St. John bagged a brace, with our other goals being scored by Chris Lawler and Geoff Strong. A right Charlie 2007 - Keeper Charles Itandje signed from Racing Club de Lens. He made seven appearances in the cups in his first season, but failed to impress, conceding ten goals and only keeping one clean sheet, eventually departing for Greek side P.A.E. A.P.S. Atromitos Athens in January 2011. Red strikers going free 1979 - A young Peter Beardsley signed for Carlisle United having been released by Newcastle United. He scored 29 times in 126 appearances for the Cumbrians before being sold to Vancouver Whitecaps in April 1982 for £275,000. 2002 - Former reserves forward Paul Dalglish joined Blackpool from Norwich City on a free transfer. He could only score twice in thirty games for the Seasiders, before moving on again, this time to Linfield. Happy birthdays 1884 – Full-back Sam Speakman was born in Huyton. He signed from amateur side Colne in 1912 but could only play 26 first-team games without scoring before joining South Liverpool in 1920. 2002 – Left-back Owen Beck was born in Wrexham. He joined the Academy from Stoke City at Under-13’s level, signing his first professional contract in June 2020. Another friendly 2021 – Takumi Minamino scored before Roberto Firmino bagged a brace as we beat Club Atlético Osasuna 3-1 in an Anfield friendly in front of a 75% capacity crowd, post-COVID. Christian off the mark 2011 – Future red Christian Benteke bagged a brace as Belgium Under-21’s lost 3-2 to Turkey in a friendly, his first goals at this level. Also on the move 2019 – Centre-half Martin Škrtel signed for Atalanta from Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü, but his contract was terminated by mutual consent after just three weeks, moving back to Turkey to join İstanbul Başakşehir. 2007 - Luis Suárez joined Ajax from Groningen for €7.5m, having bagged fifteen goals in 37 games since arriving in the Netherlands the previous summer. 2002 - Academy starlet Neil Prince joined Torquay United on a free transfer, after failing to break into the first team at Anfield. Also in international action 1996 – Future red John Arne Riise played for Norway Under-15’s as they drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland. 2000 – Future red Fábio Aurélio featured for Brazil as they won a friendly 5-3 in Chile. 2015 – Kamil Grabara won his fifth and last cap for Poland Under-16’s as they lost 1-0 in Sweden, although the match is also credited as being at Under-17’s level.