Topic: On this day in LFC History: Personal Memories

[kriss]

Today In History
August 31st

DEBUT GOALS

Ray Kennedy (1974)

Ray's arrival at Anfield a few days before his 23rd birthday in July 1974 was completely overshadowed by the shock news on the same day that Bill Shankly, the man who had signed him from Arsenal, had decided to step down from the manager's chair with immediate effect. Despite being so young, Ray had already achieved great success at Highbury, helping the Gunners win the Fairs' Cup in 1970 and then being an integral part of their 'Double' triumph a year later. As a forward, he had scored 53 times from 158 First Division matches and had had a terrific understanding and partnership with John Radford. But he never made the immediate impact at Liverpool that had been hoped and expected. This was possibly due to the fact that John Toshack missed most of the first half of the 1974-75 season because of injury, that Phil Boersma was not the kind of 'Radford' partner he had been used to and also perhaps because questions were being asked about his weight, although nobody of course knew at that time (not even Ray himself) how the early stages of Parkinson's Disease were already affecting his physical condition.
 
Ray scored on his League debut at Chelsea and again a week later when Spurs were the visitors to Merseyside. In fact, he had a run of 16 League games before John Toshack returned to fitness and took his place. Ray only played in a further 9 First Division fixtures in the second half of the season and a total of only 5 goals from 25 matches was a meagre return from a young striker who had enjoyed such a good reputation in London. Maybe Ray's stay at Liverpool would have been only a brief one had it not been for a master-stroke by the astute Bob Paisley half-way through the 1975-76 season, when he asked his cumbersome forward to play instead in a midfield role, a move so successful that it immediately saw off Peter Cormack, who had played in that position for the last two seasons . By the end of the year, Ray had made the No. 5 shirt his own and added championship & UEFA cup winners' medals to the haul he already had from his Arsenal days. For the next five seasons, he was a regular in the side and enjoyed unparalleled success as Liverpool dominated domestic and European football. Over that period he only missed 5 First Division games and became one of very few players from any club to win three winners' medals in the European champions' cup. His success with Liverpool brought him nearly 20 full England caps to add to the 6 he had gained at Under-23 level as a youngster in the Arsenal team. He also contributed a marvellous total of 49 goals for the Reds in all competitions during those amazing five years and his runs from midfield into scoring positions brought him almost as many goals as he created for others with his astute vision and distribution of the ball. One of the most important goals he ever scored came in the semi-final of the European cup in 1981 when the odds were stacked against Liverpool after Bayern Munich had ground out a 0-0 draw on Merseyside. An already-depleted Liverpool team suffered an early setback when Kenny Dalglish limped off injured early on but Ray's experience and composure finally told when 7 minutes from time he strode forward to collect David's Johnson's pass and stroked a firm right-foot shot away from the home keeper for the priceless away goal that would take the club through to their 3rd European cup final in 5 seasons. Ray was 30 that summer and before the mid-way stage of the 1981-82 season his place in the side was first threatened and then taken by Ronnie Whelan. Ray decided to move to Swansea to join his former team-mate John Toshack but not before he had played enough games to qualify for his 6th League championship medal. He later had spells back in his native North-East with Hartlepool & Sunderland but by this time the onset of the terrible disease he had been suffering from became more acute and more public. He coped bravely with increased lack of mobility and dependence on drugs to control his condition and became a public figure in the battle to make the Public more aware of it and provide funds for research. In 1991 his loyalty to both Arsenal & Liverpool was rewarded with a well-attended testimonial match at Highbury, an emotional experience for him and his family and all the supporters who more than ever appreciated what he had done for the two clubs at which he had spent most of his playing career.
 

[kriss]

Today In History
August 31st

DEBUTS ON THIS DAY


Len Carney (1946)

DEBUT GOALS



Len Carney (1946)

Liverpool-born Len was an Amateur player who was picked 6 times for Football League matches during the 1946-47 and 1947-48 seasons. He was 31 years old when he made his debut at Sheffield United on the opening day of the first full season following the Second World War, a season in which Liverpool would go on to win their 5th First Division championship. The nail-biting end to that season was a long off on the last day of August 1946 when Len scored the only goal of the game in the very last minute !

[kriss]

Today In History
August 31st

DEBUTS ON THIS DAY

Alan Scott (1929)

Alan was selected to play in Liverpool's forward-line on the opening day of the 1929-30 First Division season but it was not a happy debut for him as the team was crushed by five goals to nil at Middlesbrough. That was his only appearance of that season and he had to wait until the 27th of December 1930 to be picked again. This time he had a happier afternoon as Liverpool took a point from a 3-3 draw at Blackburn Rovers and Alan scored one of the goals, as he also did on his only other League appearance for the club (against Manchester United on Easter Monday 1931). Apart from the 3 League matches he figured in, Alan also represented Liverpool once in the F.A. cup, the 3rd round defeat at Birmingham on 10th January 1931.

[paulrazor]

Today In History
August 31st
1985 Westham United (Division One) Upton Park 2-2
Craig Johnston 52' Ronnie Whelan 83'
Att 19,762

This may not look overly impressive but West Ham came very very close to winning the league this season and in the finished 4 points behind us, the Hammers were in contention most of the season so it would be harsh to see this as two points dropped rather than one gained. As Kriss mentioned Manchester United were off to a flyer, having not won the league since 1967 United were in the midst of a brilliant run in which they won their first 10 matches, their lead at the end of this would be 10 points, we stopped the rot with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and soon after United went off the rails.

1991 Everton (Division One ) Anfield 3-1
David Burrows 1' Dean Saunders 15' Ray Houghton 62'
Att 39,072

David Burrows had not scored for us in about 3 years but it took him just 45 seconds to find the back of the net here, and 15 minutes later Dean Saunders made it two volleying home inside Neville Southalls near post. Saunders had come close to joining Everton whilst the man he replaced in the Liverpool number 7 shirt, Peter Beardsley was now playing for the blueshite. So all the talk was about them. That said it was routine stuff for Liverpool as Ray Houghton made it 3 just after the hour. We had other chances notably through promising youngster Steve McManaman while a wayward free kick from new signing Mark Walters clipped the crossbar. Late on Beardsley set up Mike Newell to pull a goal back but by then it didnt matter. The 3-1 lifted us to 2nd.

worryingly for Liverpool, John Barnes and Mark Wright were out for a long spell just 5 games into the season and Ronnie Whelan lasted just 45 minutes here having lasted just 25 the previous week at Luton, Ian Rush was also injured and was yet to play a game. Neither of the first 3 were seen again before Christmas.

1994 Southampton (Premier League ) The Dell 2-0
Robbie Fowler 21' John Barnes 78'
Att 15,190

It was a quick reunion for Bruce Grobellaar who had been released from the club that summer and joined Southampton, but it was our night, Robbie Fowler scored his 5th goal in just 3 games before a superb finish from John Barnes made it 2-0 and put Roy Evans men top with 3 wins from 3.

2008 Aston Villa (Premier League) Villa Park 0-0

Not a particularly memorable game, Gareth Barry wasted Villas best chance, hitting straight at Pepe Reina, Barry had been linked with us all summer.

Att 41,647





TRANSFERS IN



Jerzy Dudek (2001)
Chris Kirkland (2001)

Some stories persist that both Houllier and Phil Thompson got their wires crosses and only intended to sign one keeper, but ended up with 2, hard to believe. Dudek was signed to take the number 1 spot while Kirkland was one for the future. Although Dudek had his bad moments he will always be remembered for his role in the 2005 European cup win, while Kirkland's injuries meant that by the time he left the club in 2007 few noticed given all his loan spells.


Albert Riera (2008)

I think this may have been the 1st September with August 31 that year a sunday, Riera signed a deal between 6-8m from Espanyol and provided excellent balance down the left during the thrilling 2008-9 season but the following campaign his form tailed off as did his popularity when he was rumoured to have had fisty cuffs in training with dani pacheco aswell as publicly labelling the club "a sinking ship". although Rafa Benitez was sacked before Riera could leave, the Spaniard left the club in the summer of 2010 anyway.

Paul Konchesky (2010)

probably the worst player Ive ever seen play for us

Craig Bellamy (2011)

TRANSFERS OUT

Henry Race (1930)
Jan Kromkamp (2006)
Steve Finnan (2008)
Lauri Dalla Valle (2010)
Alex Kacaniklic (2010)
Damien Plessis (2010)
Philipp Degen (2011)
Raul Meireles (2011)
David Ngog (2011)
Christian Poulsen (2011)

DEBUTS ON THIS DAY

Alan Scott (1929)
Len Carney (1946)
Bill Jones (1946)
Cyril Sidlow (1946)
Gordon Milne (1960)
Ray Kennedy (1974)
Steve Nicol (1982)
David Ngog (2008)


DEBUT GOALS


Billy Mathews (1921)
Len Carney (1946)
Ray Kennedy (1974)
David Burrows (1991)


Born on this day

Alan Kennedy (1954)
Jose (Pepe) Reina (1982)

Feliz Cumpleaños, Pepe!!!!

[kriss]

Today In History
August 31st

Albert Riera (2008)

I think this may have been the 1st September with August 31 that year a sunday, Riera signed a deal between 6-8m from Espanyol and provided excellent balance down the left during the thrilling 2008-9 season but the following campaign his form tailed off as did his popularity when he was rumoured to have had fisty cuffs in training with dani pacheco aswell as publicly labelling the club "a sinking ship". although Rafa Benitez was sacked before Riera could leave, the Spaniard left the club in the summer of 2010 anyway.

You're absolutely correct. Transfer deadline day in the summer of 2008 was extended to the 1st of September because the 31st of August (normally the final date) was a Sunday. Riera joined us on that final day not the day before it.

[paulrazor]

You're absolutely correct. Transfer deadline day in the summer of 2008 was extended to the 1st of September because the 31st of August (normally the final date) was a Sunday. Riera joined us on that final day not the day before it.

Thanks Kriss

remember it because United signed Berbatov and City signed Robinho

[Rafa_La]

Today In History
September 1st


1892 Rotherham Town (Friendly ) Anfield 7-1
Andrew Kelvin(2) Malcolm McVean Tom Wyllie (3) John Miller
Att Unknown
*This was Liverpool FC's first ever game in their history.It was a friendly*

1894 Blackburn Rovers (Division One) Ewood Park 1-1
Harry Bradshaw 25'
Att 12,000

1896 The Wednesday (Division One) Olive Grove 2-1
George Allan 13' 44'
Att 2,000

1897 Everton (Friendly) Goodison Park 1-1
Meecham (OG)
Att 4,000

1900 Blackburn Rovers (Division One) Anfield 3-0
Robert Robinson 10' Charles Satterthwaite 29' Sam Raybould 80'
Att 20,000

1902 Glasgow Celtic (Friendly)Anfield 1-1
Jack Cox
Att Unknown

1904 Burton United (Division Two)Anfield 2-0
Robert Robinson (2)
Att 10,000

1906 Stoke City (Division One)Anfield 1-0
Joe Hewitt 20'
Att 30,000

*- League champions Liverpool play in front of the packed Spion Kop for the first time.*

1908 Aston Villa (Division One) Anfield 3-2
Tom Chorlton (Pen) Robert Robinson Joe Hewitt 30'
Att 14,000

1910 Tranmere Rovers (Friendly) Old Prenton Park 5-4
Scorers Unknown
Att Unknown

1913 Derby County (Division One)Baseball Ground 1-1
Tom Miller 60'
Att 7,000

1917 Port Vale (Lancashire Section Principal Tournament)Recreation Ground 3-2
John Bamber 80' Tom Bennett 82' ? Bennett (OG) ??'
Att 5,000

1919 Arsenal (Division One) Anfield 2-3
Harry Chambers Fred Pagnam
Att 12,000

1920 Westbromwich Albion (Division One)The Hawthorns 1-1
Tom Miller 15'
Att 30,000

1923 Westbromwich Albion (Division One) Anfield 0-0
Att 40,000

1928 Aston Villa (Division One) Villa Park 1-3
James McDougall
Att 30.356

1930 Westham United (Division One) Upton Park 0-7
Att 11,682

1934 Arsenal (Division One) Highbury 1-8
Alf Hanson
Att 54,062

1937 Portsmouth (Division One) Anfield 3-2
Edwin Harston (2) Berry Nieuwenhuys 12'
Att 22,659

1945 Burnley (Football League Northern Section)Anfield 2-3
Jack Balmer 13' Billy Liddell 55'
Att 26,107

1951 Huddersfield Town (Division One) Anfield 2-1
Billy Liddell Kevin Baron 71'
Att 39,818

1954 Plymouth Argyle (Division Two) Anfield 3-3
John Evans 67' Alan Arnell 81' 88'
Att 32,777

1956 Grimsby Town (Division Two) Anfield 3-2
Louis Bimpson 4' 73' Alan Arnell 68'
Att 43,222

1959 Bristol City (Division One) Ashton Gate 0-1
Att 22,528

1962 Sheffield United (Division One)Anfield 2-0
Ian Callaghan 10' Ian St John 72'
Att 47,742

1965 Sheffield United (Division One) Bramall Lane 0-0
Att 20,798

1971 Manchester City (Division One)Maine Road 0-1
Att 45,144

1973 Leicester City (Division One)Filbert Street 1-1
John Toshack 50'
Att 29,347

1979 Southampton (Division One) The Dell 2-3
David Johnson 16' Colin Irwin 74'
Att 21,402

1981 Middlesbrough (Division One) Anfield 1-1
Phil Neal 53' (Pen)
Att 31,963

1984 Queens Park Rangers (Division One) Anfield 1-1
Ronnie Whelan 82'
Att 33,982

1990 Aston Villa (Division One) Anfield 2-1
Peter Beardsley 12' John Barnes 87'
Att 38,061

1992 Southampton (Premier League)Anfield 1-1
Mark Wright 61'
Att 30,024

1993 Coventry City (Premier League) Highfield Road 0-1
Att 16,740

2007 Derby County (Premier League)Anfield 6-0
Xabi Alonso 26' 69' Ryan Babel 45' Fernando Torres 56' 77' Andriy Voronin 76'
Att 44,076



Tom Watson took charge of his 1st game as manager on this day in 1896


TRANSFERS IN



Torben Piechnik (1992)
Phil Babb (1994)
Nicky Rizzo (1996)

OUT

John Morrissey (1962)

Debuts on this day

John Drummond (1894)
William McCann (1894)
John Thomas Robertson (1900)
Ned Doig (1904)
James Hughes (1904)
David Murray (1904)
Thomas Fairfoul (1913)


Debut Goals

Jimmy McDougall (1928)
Colin Irwin (1979)
Mark Wright (1992)
Ryan Babel (2007)

Born on this day

Jack Robinson (1993)
Michael Stensgaard (1993)

[kriss]

1st September 1971 : Manchester City 1 Liverpool 0

I have been on a motoring holiday of Scotland with my mother and twin brother that takes us through the Lake District on our way back to London. Knowing that Liverpool are playing City on this Wednesday evening, I insist that my mother drops me off somewhere in the centre of Manchester and tell her that I will make my own way back to London overnight by train. I am impressed by my first sight of one of English football’s most well-known stadia. I am not so impressed by Liverpool’s performance. We lose to a second-half volley from Neil Mellor’s father Ian, a strike from distance that beats Ray Clemence comprehensively.

[kriss]

1st September 1973 : Leicester City 1 Liverpool 1

John Toshack’s first goal of the season (and his 38th for us overall) ensures that we don’t suffer a second defeat in the space of four days. Alan Birchenall scores for Leicester. Birchenall was an attacking midfielder who played against Liverpool for five different clubs (Sheffield United, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers) and he scored against us for Sheffield and Chelsea as well as Leicester).

[kriss]

1st September 1979 : Southampton 3 Liverpool 2

Although David Johnson quickly equalises Trevor Hebberd’s early goal for Southampton, it is the two goals in two minutes midway through the second half by Phil Boyer and Charlie George that cause the greater damage as we fall to our first League defeat of the season. Colin Irwin jumps high to connect with a Graeme Souness free-kick and send an accurate header past Terry Gennoe but although our pressure mounts we are unable to get the third goal that would have earned a point.

[kriss]

1st September 1981 : Liverpool 1 Middlesbrough 1

We lost at Wolverhampton on the opening day of the season three days earlier. Middlesbrough also lost on the same day, at home to Tottenham. So both clubs are desperate to get their first win. That desperation is reflected in a very poor match. But it is Boro’ who take an early lead when David Shearer strokes the ball past Bruce Grobbelaar and into the Kop goal. We should have equalised ten minutes before the interval when we are awarded a penalty following a Tony McAndrew foul on Kenny Dalglish. But goalkeeper Jim Platt dives to his left to make a comfortable save from Terry McDermott’s weak effort.

In the second half we are awarded another penalty, also for a foul on Dalglish. Phil Neal steps up to confidently place the ball out of Platt’s reach.

Although McDermott missed his penalty in this match, he would continue to take them for a while and would score from his next seven. It was only after he missed one against Notts. County early in April 1982 that Phil Neal took over from him on any sort of permanent basis.

[kriss]

1st September 1984 : Liverpool 1 Queens Park Rangers 1

There was quite a lot of inconsistency in the team during the first part of Joe Fagan’s second season in charge of team affairs. This match typified that inconsistency. On their 10th visit to Anfield over the years, a Rangers team avoids defeat for the very first time. Wayne Fereday gives them the lead early in the second half and for a while they threaten to pull off an historic victory until Ronnie Whelan finally breaks down their dogged resistance with seven minutes remaining.

[kriss]

1st September 1990 : Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 1

Villa finished as runners-up to us in 1989-90 and will again provide a stern test early in the next season. Peter Beardsley and David Platt score in the first half and the match is still delicately posed at 1-1 as it enters its final few minutes. At that point John Barnes intervenes and scores one of his best-ever goals, curling the ball over and around Nigel Spink and into the Kop goal via the crossbar. It was a quite miraculous strike (from 34 seconds on :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBbkLJw5z0).

[kriss]

1st September 1992 : Liverpool 1 Southampton 1

Mark Wright’s header, his first Liverpool goal, earns a point after Kerry Dixon has given Southampton the lead. It is our third successive draw and means that we have only taken six points from our first six League matches of the new season. Those 6 points would have been 5 had it not been for a scarcely credible miss by former Red David Speedie, who somehow manages to scoop Kerry Dixon’s perfect cross over the crossbar and into the Kop from about two yards out.

[kriss]

1st September 1993 : Coventry City 1 Liverpool 0

Phil Babb only scored one League goal for Liverpool and it came against his former club Coventry City; and he only scored three League goals for Coventry City, one of which came against his future club Liverpool. Babb strikes midway through the first half and our defeat is made worse by a red card for the normally docile Rob Jones, who crudely scythes down Peter Ndlovu and then does exactly the same to Roy Wegerle two minutes later. Referee Keith Burge has no option other than to show a second yellow card to our full-back. In truth he could justifiably have issued a straight red card for the first offence.

[kriss]

1st September 2007 : Liverpoiol 6 Derby County 0

We go top for the first time since the 2002-03 season with this annihilation of whipping-boys Derby County, who will concede 89 goals in their 38 Premier League matches. Ryan Babel scores his first Liverpool goal but probably the pick of our six is the third, created for Fernando Torres by the industry and vision of Javier Mascherano :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TfVmjFdXsY

[kriss]

Today In History
September 1st

Debut Goals

Jimmy McDougall (1928)

Although Scotsman Jimmy McDougall played as a forward in the early part of his playing career in Scotland and also for a short time with Liverpool, it was as a half-back that he made his reputation. He was a reliable and uncomplicated defender, a player of great calmness and assurance, who became a fixture in the Liverpool side for a decade from 1928 until 1938, a period when he averaged over 35 games a season in League and cup. It was a great shame that such loyal service to one club coincided with one of the leanest periods in Liverpool's history. Jimmy arrived on Merseyside five years after the club's 4th League championship success, a trophy which would not return to Anfield until the first full season of League soccer after the end of the Second World War. The furthest they got in the F.A. cup during his 10-year stay was the quarter-final in 1932, when Chelsea triumphed 2-0 at Anfield; and the highest League position was 5th in his first season with Liverpool, 1928-29. Jimmy had the honour of being made captain of his country, one of a select band of men to have received that honour while a Liverpool player. He stayed in the Merseyside area once he had made his farewell appearance for the club (at Charlton on 15th January 1938) and played for a while for South Liverpool F.C. before hanging up his boots for good. Jimmy scored 12 times for Liverpool in First Division matches but 8 of those came when he was playing as an inside-forward and before he was moved back into the defence. Perhaps not surprisingly after 8 goals in 25 League games, he only managed another 4 in his next 313 !

[kriss]

Today In History
September 1st


OUT

John Morrissey (1962)

Born in Liverpool in April 1940, John came through the Junior ranks at Anfield before signing professional forms in May 1957 shortly after his 17th birthday. He made just two appearances in his debut season (1957-58), the only two games that regular left-winger Alan A’Court missed. He was only called upon twice the following season too. His selection for first-team matches continued to be sporadic and he made the short trip across Stanley Park to join Everton in September 1962, where he made over 250 league appearances for the Blues and was an important member of their 1970 championship-winning side. John finished his playing days at Oldham Athletic.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 1st

Debuts on this day

John Drummond (1894)
William McCann (1894)
John Thomas Robertson (1900)

John was a forward who played in Liverpool's first-ever season in the First Division (1894-95), the year after they had been promoted from Division Two at the first time of asking. He played in 14 of the 30 League matches that season but failed to score as the team struggled to come to terms with the top flight and was immediately relegated. John's only goal for the club came in the F.A. cup, when he got the 2nd goal in a 4-0 first round replay win over Barnsley St. Peter's.

Liverpool’s goalkeeper for the first half of the 1894-95 season, William lost his place after conceding 11 goals in three successive matches against Aston Villa, Burnley & Stoke. His place was taken by Matt McQueen, a remarkably versatile footballer who was equally at home in goal as he was as an outfield player!  McQueen was given 7 matches as the club’s last line of defence before McCann returned for a 4-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day, 1895. But only 4 days later Liverpool were thrashed 5-0 at Sheffield Wednesday and that proved to be McCann’s final league appearance for the club, although he was picked to play in goal for two F.A. cup matches against Barnsley St. Peter’s & Nottingham Forest in the middle of February, 1895.

John was a full-back who was only on Liverpool's books for two years at the start of the 20th Century but he did win a League championship medal in the
first of those seasons, 1900-01, which was also a first for the club too. John made 22 consecutive appearances from the start of the season before John Glover took over for the next 9 matches. But Robertson was back in place for the final 3 fixtures of the season as the title was secured by two points from runners-up Sunderland. A year later it was Glover who started in the first-team as the club's right-back but John came back into contention during the second-half of the season and made a further 17 First Division appearances and he also scored his one and only goal for the club (a penalty) when Wolverhampton Wanderers were beaten 4-1 at Anfield on 9th November 1901.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 1st

Debuts on this day



Thomas Fairfoul (1913)

Half-back Thomas was a regular in the Liverpool side in the two years that preceded the First World War. He played in every one of the 38 First Division matches in 1913-14 and made a further 24 appearances the following season. Nine F.A. cup ties over the same period (including the 1914 final defeat by Burnley at Crystal Palace) brought his career total for Liverpool to 71 games.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 1st

Debuts on this day



James Hughes (1904)

James played 14 times in Football League fixtures for Liverpool during the first decade of the 20th Century. But as these were spread over 5 seasons, he was never a regular member of the first-team during any of those years. Most of his appearances came as a replacement for the 'regular' half-back pairing of that time, Maurice Parry & James Bradley.

[ALANM]

Today In History
August 31st
1985 Westham United (Division One) Upton Park 2-2
Craig Johnston 52' Ronnie Whelan 83'
Att 19,762

This may not look overly impressive but West Ham came very very close to winning the league this season and in the finished 4 points behind us, the Hammers were in contention most of the season so it would be harsh to see this as two points dropped rather than one gained. As Kriss mentioned Manchester United were off to a flyer, having not won the league since 1967 United were in the midst of a brilliant run in which they won their first 10 matches, their lead at the end of this would be 10 points, we stopped the rot with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and soon after United went off the rails.

1991 Everton (Division One ) Anfield 3-1
David Burrows 1' Dean Saunders 15' Ray Houghton 62'
Att 39,072

David Burrows had not scored for us in about 3 years but it took him just 45 seconds to find the back of the net here, and 15 minutes later Dean Saunders made it two volleying home inside Neville Southalls near post. Saunders had come close to joining Everton whilst the man he replaced in the Liverpool number 7 shirt, Peter Beardsley was now playing for the blueshite. So all the talk was about them. That said it was routine stuff for Liverpool as Ray Houghton made it 3 just after the hour. We had other chances notably through promising youngster Steve McManaman while a wayward free kick from new signing Mark Walters clipped the crossbar. Late on Beardsley set up Mike Newell to pull a goal back but by then it didnt matter. The 3-1 lifted us to 2nd.

worryingly for Liverpool, John Barnes and Mark Wright were out for a long spell just 5 games into the season and Ronnie Whelan lasted just 45 minutes here having lasted just 25 the previous week at Luton, Ian Rush was also injured and was yet to play a game. Neither of the first 3 were seen again before Christmas.

1994 Southampton (Premier League ) The Dell 2-0
Robbie Fowler 21' John Barnes 78'
Att 15,190

It was a quick reunion for Bruce Grobellaar who had been released from the club that summer and joined Southampton, but it was our night, Robbie Fowler scored his 5th goal in just 3 games before a superb finish from John Barnes made it 2-0 and put Roy Evans men top with 3 wins from 3.

2008 Aston Villa (Premier League) Villa Park 0-0

Not a particularly memorable game, Gareth Barry wasted Villas best chance, hitting straight at Pepe Reina, Barry had been linked with us all summer.

Att 41,647





TRANSFERS IN



Jerzy Dudek (2001)
Chris Kirkland (2001)

Some stories persist that both Houllier and Phil Thompson got their wires crosses and only intended to sign one keeper, but ended up with 2, hard to believe. Dudek was signed to take the number 1 spot while Kirkland was one for the future. Although Dudek had his bad moments he will always be remembered for his role in the 2005 European cup win, while Kirkland's injuries meant that by the time he left the club in 2007 few noticed given all his loan spells.


Albert Riera (2008)

I think this may have been the 1st September with August 31 that year a sunday, Riera signed a deal between 6-8m from Espanyol and provided excellent balance down the left during the thrilling 2008-9 season but the following campaign his form tailed off as did his popularity when he was rumoured to have had fisty cuffs in training with dani pacheco aswell as publicly labelling the club "a sinking ship". although Rafa Benitez was sacked before Riera could leave, the Spaniard left the club in the summer of 2010 anyway.

Paul Konchesky (2010)

probably the worst player Ive ever seen play for us

Craig Bellamy (2011)

TRANSFERS OUT

Henry Race (1930)
Jan Kromkamp (2006)
Steve Finnan (2008)
Lauri Dalla Valle (2010)
Alex Kacaniklic (2010)
Damien Plessis (2010)
Philipp Degen (2011)
Raul Meireles (2011)
David Ngog (2011)
Christian Poulsen (2011)

DEBUTS ON THIS DAY

Alan Scott (1929)
Len Carney (1946)
Bill Jones (1946)
Cyril Sidlow (1946)
Gordon Milne (1960)
Ray Kennedy (1974)
Steve Nicol (1982)
David Ngog (2008)


DEBUT GOALS


Billy Mathews (1921)
Len Carney (1946)
Ray Kennedy (1974)
David Burrows (1991)


Born on this day

Alan Kennedy (1954)
Jose (Pepe) Reina (1982)

Feliz Cumpleaños, Pepe!!!!

Bit of catching up to do here.

1985: Twice came from behind to get a point at West Ham. Craig Johnston and Ronnie Whelan scoring. The Hammers had just 5 points from 5 games, but would be major players in the title race thanks to the prolific partnership of Frank McAvennie and Tony Cottee.

1991: One of the most one sided derbies I've been to. David Burrows goal was timed at 48 seconds, while Dean Saunders 2nd goal of the week had us in total control at the break. Ray Houghton ended the game as a contest before Mike Newell puuled one back. Good point Kriss about the total non-reaction of the Bitters when Newell scored.

1994: There was no stopping Robbie Fowler as Liverpool maintained their 100% start to the season.

2008: Didn't see this game, but it sounded very dull.

Be fair to Paul Knochesky HR, Hodgson's other major signing Christian Poulsen was equally inept!!

[ALANM]

Today In History
September 1st


1892 Rotherham Town (Friendly ) Anfield 7-1
Andrew Kelvin(2) Malcolm McVean Tom Wyllie (3) John Miller
Att Unknown
*This was Liverpool FC's first ever game in their history.It was a friendly*

1894 Blackburn Rovers (Division One) Ewood Park 1-1
Harry Bradshaw 25'
Att 12,000

1896 The Wednesday (Division One) Olive Grove 2-1
George Allan 13' 44'
Att 2,000

1897 Everton (Friendly) Goodison Park 1-1
Meecham (OG)
Att 4,000

1900 Blackburn Rovers (Division One) Anfield 3-0
Robert Robinson 10' Charles Satterthwaite 29' Sam Raybould 80'
Att 20,000

1902 Glasgow Celtic (Friendly)Anfield 1-1
Jack Cox
Att Unknown

1904 Burton United (Division Two)Anfield 2-0
Robert Robinson (2)
Att 10,000

1906 Stoke City (Division One)Anfield 1-0
Joe Hewitt 20'
Att 30,000

*- League champions Liverpool play in front of the packed Spion Kop for the first time.*

1908 Aston Villa (Division One) Anfield 3-2
Tom Chorlton (Pen) Robert Robinson Joe Hewitt 30'
Att 14,000

1910 Tranmere Rovers (Friendly) Old Prenton Park 5-4
Scorers Unknown
Att Unknown

1913 Derby County (Division One)Baseball Ground 1-1
Tom Miller 60'
Att 7,000

1917 Port Vale (Lancashire Section Principal Tournament)Recreation Ground 3-2
John Bamber 80' Tom Bennett 82' ? Bennett (OG) ??'
Att 5,000

1919 Arsenal (Division One) Anfield 2-3
Harry Chambers Fred Pagnam
Att 12,000

1920 Westbromwich Albion (Division One)The Hawthorns 1-1
Tom Miller 15'
Att 30,000

1923 Westbromwich Albion (Division One) Anfield 0-0
Att 40,000

1928 Aston Villa (Division One) Villa Park 1-3
James McDougall
Att 30.356

1930 Westham United (Division One) Upton Park 0-7
Att 11,682

1934 Arsenal (Division One) Highbury 1-8
Alf Hanson
Att 54,062

1937 Portsmouth (Division One) Anfield 3-2
Edwin Harston (2) Berry Nieuwenhuys 12'
Att 22,659

1945 Burnley (Football League Northern Section)Anfield 2-3
Jack Balmer 13' Billy Liddell 55'
Att 26,107

1951 Huddersfield Town (Division One) Anfield 2-1
Billy Liddell Kevin Baron 71'
Att 39,818

1954 Plymouth Argyle (Division Two) Anfield 3-3
John Evans 67' Alan Arnell 81' 88'
Att 32,777

1956 Grimsby Town (Division Two) Anfield 3-2
Louis Bimpson 4' 73' Alan Arnell 68'
Att 43,222

1959 Bristol City (Division One) Ashton Gate 0-1
Att 22,528

1962 Sheffield United (Division One)Anfield 2-0
Ian Callaghan 10' Ian St John 72'
Att 47,742

1965 Sheffield United (Division One) Bramall Lane 0-0
Att 20,798

1971 Manchester City (Division One)Maine Road 0-1
Att 45,144

1973 Leicester City (Division One)Filbert Street 1-1
John Toshack 50'
Att 29,347

1979 Southampton (Division One) The Dell 2-3
David Johnson 16' Colin Irwin 74'
Att 21,402

1981 Middlesbrough (Division One) Anfield 1-1
Phil Neal 53' (Pen)
Att 31,963

1984 Queens Park Rangers (Division One) Anfield 1-1
Ronnie Whelan 82'
Att 33,982

1990 Aston Villa (Division One) Anfield 2-1
Peter Beardsley 12' John Barnes 87'
Att 38,061

1992 Southampton (Premier League)Anfield 1-1
Mark Wright 61'
Att 30,024

1993 Coventry City (Premier League) Highfield Road 0-1
Att 16,740

2007 Derby County (Premier League)Anfield 6-0
Xabi Alonso 26' 69' Ryan Babel 45' Fernando Torres 56' 77' Andriy Voronin 76'
Att 44,076



Tom Watson took charge of his 1st game as manager on this day in 1896


TRANSFERS IN



Torben Piechnik (1992)
Phil Babb (1994)
Nicky Rizzo (1996)

OUT

John Morrissey (1962)

Debuts on this day

John Drummond (1894)
William McCann (1894)
John Thomas Robertson (1900)
Ned Doig (1904)
James Hughes (1904)
David Murray (1904)
Thomas Fairfoul (1913)


Debut Goals

Jimmy McDougall (1928)
Colin Irwin (1979)
Mark Wright (1992)
Ryan Babel (2007)

Born on this day

Jack Robinson (1993)
Michael Stensgaard (1993)

Blimey, this has been a busy date!! Thankfully my memories don't go back that far.

1984: This was a tremendous game to which both sides contributed, and a draw was a fair outcome which left both Joe Fagan and Alan Mullery content. Wayne Fereday scored in the 1st minute of the 2nd half to give QPR the lead. Liverpool had 2 goals disallowed, but were rewarded when Ronnie Whelan drove home the 82nd minute equaliser.

1990: Another tremendous game. A smart finish from Peter Beardsley gives the Reds a 12th minute lead, but David Platt heads Villa level on 26. Liverpool turn the screw after the break, and their domination is rewarded on 87 minutes when John Barnes cuts in from the left, goes outside Chris Price, and curls a magnificent shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top right hand corner of Nigel Spinks goal. It was the perfect respone from Barnes to the Villa fans who had taunted him all game.

1992: This was not a tremendous game! 2 goals in 6 2nd half minutes are about all that happened. Kerry Dixon gives Saints the lead, Mark wright levels. 18 year old Jamie Redknapp was by far the Reds best player on the night, and Graeme Souness is roundly booed when he subs him.

1993: Future Liverpool player Phil Babb does the damage in this game (he would do Liverpool a lot more damage in the red shirt!!). It was the 1st of 4 successive League defeats, and 5 League games without a goal, that made the good start to the season a distant memory.

2007: There is a hint of fortune about Xabi Alonso's openere as his free kick eludes everyone, but Ryan Babel produces an excellent finish on half time to open his Reds account. The 2nd half is one way traffic. Javier Mascherano sets up Fernado Torres for his 1st Kop End goal, Alonso and Torres both score again, and Andriy Voronin scuppers my 5-0 bet when he forces home the 6th!! Liverpool also missed 3 open goals in this game.

Somebody is bound to include this, so it might as well be me.

2001: Germany 1 - 5 Liverpool. Ok it should read England, but all the England goals on that memorable night in Munich came from Reds players. Germany take a 6th minute lead, but Michael Owen soon levels. The game turns just before half time when Steven Gerrard scores with a fierce long range shot. Michael Owen scores twice in the 2nd half to complete a memorable hat-trick, and Emile Heskey was given all the time in the world to stroll clear and make it 5. Credit where it's due though, Man Utd provided most of the assists!! England were now in pole position to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

[Rafa_La]

Today In History
September 2nd

1893 Middlesbrough Ironpolis (Division Two) Paradise Field 2-0
Joe McQue Malcolm McVean
Att 2,000

1899 Stoke City (Division One) Victoria Ground 2-3
John Hunter 30' Alex Raisbeck 50'
Att 10,000

1901 Small Heath (Division One) Muntz Street 0-0
Att 10,000

1905 Woolwich Arsenal (Division One) Manor Ground 1-3
Robbie Robinson 50'
Att 20,000

1907 Nottingham Forest (Division One) City Ground 1-3
Charles Hewitt
Att 10,000

1911 Woolwich Arsenal (Division One)Manor Ground 2-2
John McConnell 70' Samuel Gilligan 73'
Att 12,000

1914 Bolton Wanderers (Division One) Anfield 4-3
Bill Lacey Arthur Metcalf James Nicholl Jackie Sheldon
Att 15,000

1916 Bolton Wanderers (Lancashire Section Principal Tournament) Anfield 3-1
Fred Pagnam 59' Arthur Goddard 60' Jack Balmer 90'
Att 8,000

1922 Arsenal (Division One) Highbury 0-1
Att 20,000

1925 Notts County (Division One) Anfield 2-0
William Flint (OG) 5' Dick Forshaw 23'
Att 19,616

1931 Bolton Wanderers (Division One) Anfield 2-2
Dave Wright (2)
Att 20,000

1933 Sheffield United (Division One) Anfield 3-2
Sam English 20' Gordon Hodgson 22' 23'
Att 31,601

1936 Portsmouth (Division One) Fratton Park 2-6
Alf Hanson Berry Nieuwenhuys
Att 17,632

1939 *Chelsea (Division One) Anfield 1-0*
Cyril Done
Att 19,386
*3erd of 3 games played before the season was suspended because of outbreak of WW11)*

1944 Stockport County (Football League Northern Section) Anfield 2-0
Willie Fagan 36' Cyril Done 75'
Att 12,418

1950 Aston Villa (Division One)Villa Park 1-1
Jack Balmer 26'
Att 45,127

1953 Newcastle United (Division One) St James Park 0-4
Att 47,000

1961 Norwich City (Division Two) Carrow Road 2-1
Roger Hunt 63' 86'
Att 28,049

1964 Leeds United (Division One) Anfield 2-1
Peter Thompson 67' Tommy Smith 76'
Att 52,548

1967 Westbromwich Albion (Division One) The Hawthorns 2-0
Tony Hateley 6' Roger Hunt 58'
Att 32,737

1972 Derby County (Division One) Baseball Ground 1-2
John Toshack 16'
Att 32,524

1978 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One) Anfield 7-0
Kenny Dalglish 8' 20' Ray Kennedy 28' David Johnson 48' 58' Phil Neal 64'(Pen) Terry McDermott 76'
Att 50,705

1980 Bradford City (League Cup 2ed round 2ed leg)Anfield 4-0
Kenny Dalglish 9' 36' Ray Kennedy 34' David Johnson 59'
Att 21,017
*(Won 4-1 on Agg)

2002 Newcastle United (Premier League) Anfield 2-2
Dietmar Hamann 53' Michael Owen 73'(Pen)
Att 43,241




TRANSFERS IN


Steve Staunton (1986)
John Scales (1994)



TRANSFERS OUT



Bobby Murdoch (1959)

DEBUTS ON THIS DAY


Patrick Gordon (1893)
James Henderson (1893)
James Scott (1893)
John Hunter (1899)
Peter Kyle (1899)
Charles Hewitt (1907)
Cyril Done (1939)
Peter Cormack (1972)
Frank Lane (1972)


DEBUT GOALS

John Hunter (1899)
Charles Hewitt (1907)
John McDonnell (1911)
Cyril Done (1939)


Born on this day

BILL SHANKLY (BORN 2-9-1913 - DIED 29-9-1981- aged 68)
John Nicholson (1936)

[kriss]

2nd September 1972 : Derby County 2 Liverpool 1

Our second defeat in the East Midlands in the space of four days and, as at Leicester earlier in the week, infuriating because we took an early lead (John Toshack again, as at Filbert Street) and looked comfortable even if not in full control. Everything changed ten minutes into the second half. Alan Hinton slung over a cross from the left and Frank Lane, deputising for the injured Ray Clemence, caught the ball and took a step back maybe two steps back. My view wasn’t perfect because I was standing on the side about level with the edge of our penalty-area. But next thing the linesman is flagging furiously and, alerted by this flag-waving, referee John Gow is pointing towards the centre-circle, gesturing that Lane had stepped back over his own goal-line still holding on to the football. I don’t know if he did or not. Like I said, I didn’t have the best view. But I knew we would lose after something like that happening. And so it proved although we held out until a few minutes from time, at which point Derby put a slick move together that ended with John O’Hare sliding the ball under Lane and into the net.

I think it was this match when the walk back to Derby railway-station was far from pleasant. Dozens of Derby fans on one side of the road, dozens of Liverpool supporters on the other. Usually it was just the two groups shouting and gesturing at each other but this time it was different and missiles started to be lobbed around. I was hit on the head by a piece of a house-brick but not hurt badly enough to prevent me from getting my train home.  I went to Derby when we played them midweek in the next season, 1973-74. We lost again and I vowed that I would never go anywhere near the fucking Baseball Ground again … and I never did.

Peter Cormack made his debut for Liverpool in this 1972 match.

[kriss]

2nd September 1978 : Liverpool 7 Tottenham Hotspur 0

A terrible humiliation for Spurs, which reduced some of their supporters in the Main Stand to tears as the goals flew in. For us, the total opposite. One of THE great team performances in the club’s history, rounded off by just about the most perfect goal you are ever likely to see. Enjoy the goals here :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L8DSko4u6E

or this longer highlights version :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzKcNevWbO4

I was mystified at the time … and still am today … why Alan Kennedy could not bear to look as Phil Neal stepped up to re-take his penalty-kick. Why would he not look when we were already five-nil up ?! He was looking away from the action and only turned round when the noise from the crowd told him that Neal had been successful.

[kriss]

2nd September 1980 : Liverpool 4 Bradford City 0

As I mentioned last week, this was the first season when the second round of the League cup was played over two legs. Having been beaten 1-0 at Valley Parade six days earlier, there was absolutely no chance of Bradford City causing another shock. Apart from bringing in Kenny Dalglish for David Fairclough, Bob Paisley gives the same team that lost in Yorkshire a chance to exorcise the first-leg defeat. Kenny’s inclusion makes a big difference. He scores twice and, three up at half-time, we coast to a comfortable aggregate victory. The third round draw brings us a home tie against Swindon Town and a chance to avenge the horrible defeat at the County Ground at the same stage of the competition exactly ten years earlier.

[kriss]

2nd September 2002 : Liverpool 2 Newcastle United 2

The team somehow manages to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory after conceding goals to Gary Speed and Alan Shearer in the final ten minutes. Before that Dietmar Hamann (against the club we bought him from a year earlier) and a Michael Owen penalty (Yes, he did score them occasionally!) had put us in what seemed to be an unassailable position. Five days earlier we had been denied victory by conceding a late goal at Blackburn and the next League fixture would also see us fail to win after taking a 2-0 lead. After finishing runners-up in 2001-02 and conceding only 30 goals in the 38 Premier League matches, questions are being muttered about the defensive side of our game when we concede 6 goals in three matches with 4 of them coming in the closing stages of games in which we were leading.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 2nd

DEBUT GOALS


Cyril Done (1939)

Liverpool-born Cyril scored on his League debut for Liverpool as an 18 year old forward, netting the only goal of the game when Chelsea were the visitors to Anfield on 2nd September 1939. But the outbreak of the Second World War meant that this was the final competitive fixture for several years, the regular divisions being abandoned in favour of regional leagues and cup competitions. When League football resumed after the war ended, Cyril made an important contribution by scoring 10 times from 17 appearances (including hat-tricks against Huddersfield & Grimsby) as the Reds marched on to the First Division championship. He was in and out of the team over the next five years and missed out completely on the F.A. cup run which took the club to their first Wembley final in 1950. Cyril moved to Tranmere Rovers in May 1952 and scored nearly 100 League goals for them and Port Vale, the Football League club at which he ended his playing career.

NOTE: The three matches that Liverpool played in late-August/early September in 1939 just before the onset of World War Two were later expunged from Football League records. So there are strong claims for arguing that Cyril Done's 'debut goal' for Liverpool in a competitive match did not actually come until the 1946-47 season.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 2nd


TRANSFERS OUT


Bobby Murdoch (1959)

Bobby was a local boy who signed professional forms for his home-town club in May 1957, a few weeks after his 21st birthday. He played in 15 of the last 18 league matches of the 1957-58 season (scoring five times) but was only called on twice more the following season. He also played twice for Liverpool in the F.A. cup competition, scoring on both occasions … the only goal of the 5th round tie at Scunthorpe United on 15th February 1958 and the club’s “consolation goal” in a 2-1 6th round defeat at Ewood Park, Blackburn two weeks later.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 2nd

Born on this day

[
John Nicholson (1936)

Merseyside-born centre-half John made a single appearance for Liverpool's first-team when he replaced Dick White at the heart of Liverpool's defence for the home Second Division fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion on 10th October 1959. It was the only League match White missed during the whole campaign and he was to make the position his own during the next season too. But just as White's career was finishing, Ron Yeats arrived at Anfield and it was clear that John had no future with the club. He left for Port Vale in August 1961 and made nearly 200 League appearances for the Potteries club before moving on again, this time to Doncaster Rovers.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 2nd

DEBUTS ON THIS DAY



Charles Hewitt (1907)

Charlie was a forward who scored 6 times in the 16 First Division appearances he made for the club during the 1907-08 season. He scored on his debut on the opening day of the season at Nottingham Forest but Liverpool went down by three goals to one. Charlie figured in 13 of the first 14 matches before losing his place to Robert Robinson. He was only selected on 3 more occasions during the rest of his one and only season at Anfield.

[kriss]

Today In History
September 2nd


DEBUTS ON THIS DAY


John Hunter (1899)

Scotsman John Hunter was an inside-forward who played nearly 50 times for the club as the 19th Century turned into the 20th. He scored 5 times from 20 First Division appearances in 1899-1900 and added a further 3 goals from the 8 games he played in the following year. His final selection for the first-team came towards the end of March, 1902.

[ALANM]

September 2nd 1978 was over 3 years before I 1st walked through an Anfield turnstile, but this was as complete a performance as you could wish to see. Promoted Tottenham had recent World Cup winners Ricardo Villa and Osvaldo Ardilles playing for them, but they were completely blown away by a rampant Liverpool team for whom Terry McDermott completed the scoring with a powerful header to end a flowing attack. Ex manager Bill Shankly said in a TV interview afterwards "Liverpool played the game simple".

2002: This was another game in which Liverpool totally dominated playing some glorious football. The only surprise was that it took them 73 minutes for Dietmar Hamman to drive home the opener. The points looked secure shortly after when Michael Owen converted a penalty. In a calamitous last 10 minutes though, Gary Speed and Alan Shearer somehow snatched Newcastle an undeserved point. They in fact very nearly won it too right at the end!! The concession of late goals would become a recurring theme which asked questions of the teams fitness.

International matches account for the dearth of fixtures in recent years on this date. A theme likely to be repeated over the next few days.

[ALANM]

2nd September 1978 : Liverpool 7 Tottenham Hotspur 0

I was mystified at the time … and still am today … why Alan Kennedy could not bear to look as Phil Neal stepped up to re-take his penalty-kick. Why would he not look when we were already five-nil up ?! He was looking away from the action and only turned round when the noise from the crowd told him that Neal had been successful.

Perhaps it was because the penalty had to be taken twice? Phil Neal had his 1st effort saved by Barry Daines, but the referee judged that Daines had moved early and ordered a retake. Neal made no mistake 2nd time round as the video shows.

[ALANM]

September 3rd 1983: Liverpool play their 1st home game of the season following 2 away trips. They are frustrated for 83 minutes by a resolute Nottingham Forest, before a Kenny Dalglish through ball is latched onto by Ian Rush, and he beats Hans Van Breukelen to secure victory. Rush was the best striker I've seen bar none in 1 v 1 with the keeper situations.

1985: Nottingham Forest are again the visitors to Anfield. A 2nd half brace from Ronnie Whelan ensures Liverpool maintain their 100% home win record for the season.

1986: Liverpool suffer their 1st loss of the season as they go down 2-1 at Leicester. A young Gary McAliister scores one of Leicester's 1st half goals. Kenny Dalglish produces a superb finish late on, but Liverpool return home empty handed.

1988: The 1st home win against Manchester United for almost 9 years. Jan Molby scores the only goal from the penalty spot on 38 minutes. It looked a harsh decision for a challenge on John Barnes by Viv Anderson, but the referee had turned down a nailed on pen a minute earlier, and that was probably still on his mind. Nigel Spackman hit the post 2nd half as Liverpool secured a win that was more comfortable than the score suggests.

International matches since mean these are the only games I can recall post 1981.

[ALANM]

I should have said HOME LEAGUE WIN for 1988. There was a 2-1 MIilk Cup success in 1985 when Molby was again the match winner.

[kriss]

3rd September 1969 : Watford 1 Liverpool 2

Bill Shankly keeps the same team that took a point at Sheffield Wednesday four days earlier. Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bert Slater is between the posts for Watford, the previous season’s Third Division champions. His selection might have been a sentimental decision by Watford manager Ken Murphy because usually it was future Everton manager Mike Walker who was in goal at this time and it was Walker who would play against us in the F.A. cup later in the same season. Sentimental by Furphy or not, it looked like being the wrong decision when Slater fumbled the ball into his own net soon after the start. Ian St. John scored what turned out to be the winning goal. It was the only goal the Saint scored for us in this competition. Keith Eddy scored for Watford.

[kriss]

3rd September 1977 : Liverpool 1 Birmingham City 0

Ray Kennedy strikes very early and it is enough to bring us both points at St. Andrew’s. That is a pleasant change after losing 3 of our previous 5 fixtures at this stadium. Kenny Dalglish fails to score after netting in the previous four matches. “Normal service” will resume for Kenny the next time the team is in action!

[kriss]

3rd September 1983 : Liverpool 1 Nottingham Forest 0

Forest are defending stubbornly and look like earning a point when Ian Rush races clear and strokes the ball left-footed past Hans van Breukelen into the bottom corner of the Kop goal. Goal from 1 minute 23 seconds on :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt-2zdEIMMg

It is only our 3rd League goal of the season (3 matches) and two of them have come from Rush. He is the only player who will get into double-figures for us in the First Division this season.