Today In History
September 11th
1982 Luton Town (Division One) Anfield 3-3
Graeme Souness 32' Ian Rush 44' Craig Johnston 75'
Att 33,694
This was featured on ESPN a couple of years back. Lutons front line of Brian Stein and Paul Walsh caused us all sorts of bother, full credit to Luton who just wouldnt fold their tent despite coming up against us at Anfield and doing so with all sorts of problems. Luton took the lead through Stein but a stunning volley from captain Graeme Souness drew us level with the ball crashing in off the post past goalkeeper Jake Findlay. Just before half time Souness was involved again as his perfectly weighted pass allowed Ian Rush to round goalkeeper Kirk Stephens and make it 2-1.
Luton refused to roll over though and shortly into the second half Stein lobbed Grobbelaar for 2-2 and they took the lead once more when David Moss gave them a surprise 3-2 lead down at the Kop End. With 15 minutes left substitute Craig Johnston made it 3-3 when he scored past Luton keeper Mal Donaghy.
Hang on, wait a second, whats going on here?
Findlay was in goal? then Stephens ? then Donaghy............. yep thats right, this was in the days before the bench had 7 players, or even 2. Back then there was just one sub on the bench and it was always an outfield player, so with the score at 1-1 Luton were forced to rejig when Findlay picked up an injury so with no keeper on the bench Kirk Stephens had to go in goal. Stephens was then beaten by Ian Rush, but to be fair there wasnt much he could do.
For some reason when Luton emerged for the second half, Mal Donaghy was then in goal, with Luton using their one sub to replace their injured keeper, it meant Stephens resumed his normal role and Donaghy took over the nets. He was beaten by Craig Johnstone, remarkably so it meant all 3 Liverpool goals were against 3 different goalkeepers.
1999 Manchester United (Premier League) Anfield 2-3
Sami Hyypia 23' Patrik Berger 68'
Att 44,929
Our early season form was somewhat of a mixed bag, defeats to the likes of Watford and Middlesboro were followed by wins over Leeds and Arsenal. At the back things got off to a wretched start when Jamie Carragher twice put through his own net. We managed to get our way back into it when Sami Hyypia headed home after United's debutant keeper Massimo Taibi completely missed a cross, Taibi would go down as one of the worst keepers in United's history, this just after United made him the most expensive keeper in Britain. This goal meanwhile was Hyypia's first goal for the club.
Just before half time Andy Cole made it 1-3 and it was going to be an uphill task, Cole was then subsequently sent off for an altercation with Rigobert Song and with numbers in our favour we set up a tense finale when Patrik Berger pulled a goal back. That unfortunately was where the scoring ended. Late on Michael Owen narrowly failed to draw us level, the picture of the Kopites with heads in their hands is pretty famous. It is linked here
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/10/11/article-1219274-06C39C4C000005DC-762_306x206_popup.jpg2001 Boavista (Champions League 1st group phrase match 1) Anfield 1-1
Michael Owen 29'
Att 30,015
It should have been a pretty good night considering it was our first proper game in the European cup at Anfield since 1985 but unfortunately the mood was dampened somewhat by tragic events across the water in America when terrorists hijacked 2 planes and crashed them into each of the twin towers of New York causing thousands of fatalities, it didnt stop there as another hijacked plane then struck the Pentagon in Virginia, whilst a fourth plane was hijacked and diverted toward Washington. The passengers on board began to realize what was going on and attempted to retake control of the plane causing the terrorists to crash it into the ground in Pennsylvania before it could reach its rumoured attempted target of the United States Capitol. Although all onboard were killed as it crashed into a field, many more could have been killed were it not for the brave passengers as if it did strike its target more would have died.
it was an event which rocked the world to its core and explains why only 30000 made the trip to Anfield, perhaps it was too late to call the game off so it went ahead. boavista took the lead after just 2 minutes through Silva but before half time Michael Owen drew us level and thats the way it ended on a pretty sombre night when football didnt matter.
2002 Birmingham City (Premier League )Anfield 2-2
Danny Murphy 25' Steven Gerrard 49'
Att 43,113
For the second game in a row we threw away a two goal lead at Anfield, this time against newly promoted Birmingham. Danny Murphy gave us the lead with a stunning free kick before Steven Gerrard seemingly sealed the points early in the second half but two goals from Birmingham's Clinton Morrison meant we had to share the points. It was our 3rd consecutive 2-2 draw.
2004 Westbromwich Albion (Premier League) Anfield 3-0
Steven Gerrard 16' Steve Finnan 42' Luis Garcia 60'
Att 42,947
I was pretty sure Steve Finnan scored the opener in this game. I spent the day playing for my saturday side as we lost 4-2 having initially come from 2 goals down, i didnt play great as a result of a long standing groin problem while i was at fault for the first goal when attempting to head it clear the ball somehow was misdirected landing perfectly for their striker. We were all in a foul mood after but atleast this result lifted my mood. the crowd absolutely loved Luis Garcia on his home debut.