|
Address: |
|
Anfield |
|
Anfield
Road |
| Liverpool |
| L4
0TH |
|
Telephone: |
|
0151
- 2632361 |
| Ground
Capacity: |
| 45,362
(all-seated) |
| Official
Website: |
| www.liverpoolfc.tv |
| Unofficial
Websites: |
| Red
and White Kop
LFC
Online
LiverWeb
The
Liverpool Way
Liverpool
FC Bootroom
You'll
Never Walk Alone
Through
The Wind And Rain
Liverpool
Scandinavian Supporters Branch
Shankly
Gates.co.uk
|
| How
to get there: |
By
Car:
FOLLOW the M62 until you reach the end of the
motorway (beware of a 50mph speed camera
about a 1/4 of a mile from the end of the motorway).
Then follow the A5058 towards Liverpool. After three miles
turn left at the traffic lights into Utting Avenue (there is
a McDonalds on the corner of this junction). Proceed for one
mile and then turn right at the Arkles pub for the ground.
If you arrive early (around 1pm) then there is street
parking to be found. Otherwise it as an idea to park in the
streets around Goodison and walk across Stanley Park to
Anfield, or you can park in a secure
parking area at Goodison itself which costs £6. By Rail:
KIRKDALE
station is the closest to the ground (just under a mile
away). However,
it may be more advisable to go to Sandhills Station as this
has the benefit of a bus service to the ground. As Peter
Hedges informs me; 'There
is a soccerbus that goes from Sandhills station on the Merseyrail
Northern Line. It costs 50p and goes
regularly for a couple of hours before and a couple of hours
after a game and drops you within easy walking
distance of the ground'. Both Sandhills
& Kirkdale stations and
can be reached by first getting a train from Liverpool Lime
Street to Liverpool Central and then changing there for
Kirkdale.
The main railway station in
Liverpool is Lime Street which is over three miles from the
ground and is really too far to walk (although it is mostly
downhill on the way back to the station), so either head for
Sandhills or Kirkdale stations
or jump in a taxi. Craig Hochkins adds; 'you can
catch various buses from the bus station which is seven
minutes walk away from the train station and is well
signposted. Either the 17a 17b 17c or the 26 will drop you
right outside the ground at a cost of about a £1. The buses
are run by Arriva and the journey takes about 15 to 25
minutes dependant on traffic'.
Walking Directions From Kirkdale Station:
On exiting from Kirkdale Station turn right and then cross
the railway bridge, you will see a pub opposite called the
'Melrose Abbey', (which has been recommended). Walk
up Westminster Road, alongside the pub and continue
along it, passing the Elm Tree pub. Follow the
road around the right hand bend and then turn left into
Bradwell Street. At the end of Bradwell Street you will come
to the busy County Road (A59). Cross over this road at
the traffic lights and then go down the road to the left of
the Aldi superstore. At the end of this road you will
reach the A580 Walton Lane. You should be able to
see Goodison Park over on your left and Stanley Park in
front of you. Cross Walton Lane and either enter
Stanley Park following the footpath through the park
(keeping to the right), which will exit into Anfield Road
and the away end. Or bear right down Walton Lane
and then turn left down the road at the end of Stanley
Park for the ground. Thanks to Jon Roche for providing these
directions.
Parking:
IF
you arrive early (around 1pm) then there is street parking
to be found. Otherwise it as an idea to park in the streets
around Goodison and walk across Stanley Park to Anfield,
or you can park in a secure parking area at Goodison itself
which costs £6. |
| Other
than the football...: |
|
LIVERPOOL is a long drive
and you may want to stay overnight. If you decide to
make a weekend of it, then there are a few places you might
want to visit.
If you ever happen to
take that wonderful journey to the red city, known as Liverpool,
then I'm sure there will be an agenda of things that you'll
just have to do. The
Beatles are probably the sole (soul?) reason why Liverpool
is such a famous city nowadays. The Beatles thing is
something you've got to do. The whole cheap, tacky, tourist
thing. Go see the Beatles museum, Penny Lane, The Cavern
Club, Cavern Walks, Strawberry Fields (except it's not there
anymore, but you can see where it stood). Beatle mania is
rife in Liverpool - it's everywhere - Beatle this, Beatle
that, but if you appreciate it simply for what it is then
you'll love it. Oh, and don't forget to buy a ticket for the
magical mystery tour bus! If you
love buildings that simply take your breathe away, then you
have to invest some time in visiting Liverpool's two
cathedrals. Both of the cathedrals stand at opposite ends of
the same street - aptly named Hope Street. At one end is the
monumental Anglican Cathedral that dominates the skyline
with it's gothic looks, while the other end is the Roman
Catholic Cathedral (also called Paddy's Wigwam), which
resembles an interstellar starship. Both cathedrals possess
great external beauty, but the true panorama's are actually
to be found inside where you will find the stained glass
windows provide some stirring scenes. During
the 16th, 17th and 18th century Liverpool was a destination
of the slave traders. It flourished as a seaport because of
it's river, the Mersey, with it's estuary making it an ideal
dockland. During the 20th century the docks fell to ruin as
new trades routes where established, but the docks still
stand and have been recently renovated. The Albert dock was
voted one of Britain's premier structures by the Prince of Wales.
The Albert dock now hosts Granada television studios and we
can witness Fred the Weatherman strutting his stuff, come
rain or shine, on a floating model of the British isles
while Richard and Judy sit comfortably inside the studio
drinking cups of earl grey. You will also find located at
the docks the Tate Galleries, the Maritime Museum and a
lovely shopping arcade, but beware - the prices are marked
up considerably to compensate for the expensive property
value. A
black ooze pours through Merseyside, absorbing anything and
destroying everything in it's path. They call it the river
Mersey. The Mersey might be the cess pit of the city, but Liverpool
wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for the excellent
natural port the river estuary creates. Liverpool owes its
all to the Mersey and it is only just starting to realise
this by beginning to clean up the river. The Mersey was made
internationally famous in the 60s by the musician Gerry
Marsden who wrote a song about the famous ferries that
crossed the river back then. Some of the ferries that used
to operate back then are still working today and any trip to
Merseyside wouldn't be complete without a famous ferry tour.
The tour lasts just under an hour and will take you up and
down the river whilst pointing out the various sites along
the way. If you'd like to see
pure Liverpudlian free enterprise in operation then you have
to pay a visit to Liverpool's most famous flea market - The
Stanley dock market. This bazaar is held every Sunday along
the dock road. Just ask any scouser for directions to the heritage
market and I'm sure they'll be only to glad to point you
in the right direction. Liverpool
isn't exactly well known for it's culinary genius or
extravagant cuisine but if you're ever feeling hungry then
there are a couple of places you cannot afford to miss out.
the first is Chinatown - when Liverpool started thriving as
a seaport then it also started attracting people from many
different nations (natively known as smoked Irishmen).
Chinatown has many dingy little restaurants but if you don't
judge the food by the decor then your taste buds should be
thoroughly satisfied. The second place that you must not
miss is The Lobster Pot. this famous chippy dates
back decades and is a popular hangout after all the pubs and
clubs have shut on a Friday and Saturday night. The Lobster
Pot didn't become so popular by chance, because the food is
tremendous, especially after a few dozen pints of the local
beer- Cains bitter. Of all the
parks in Liverpool, Sefton is the most beautiful, it
represents a hidden countryside inside a sprawling
metropolis with it's trickling streams, glasslike lakes,
shaded woods, picturesque islands and rocky pools. The Palm
House is an absolute delight and it's recently been granted
a sum of money for renovation after falling into dereliction
in the late 80s but still requires considerable work. Also
worth some inspection are the iron gates with their
decorative touches - very art nouveau. So if you need a
quiet stroll then you know where to go. Every
year, the biggest horse race in the country is held at Aintree
race course. It's called the grand national and it's
a killer, literally. Around 40 horses attempt to complete
this hazardous course with its 8ft steeple jumps and 90°
turns, only a handful ever make it to the finish. If you're
into big hats and rich old men with cigars, or young lads
pretending they're rich old men while they smoke a Castella
then this could be for you. Try your luck at backing the
next Red Rum and if you win then I'll be only to glad to
help you spend your winnings.
When it comes to the
match, and a pre-match beer, The Arkles pub near to the
ground (see directions by car), is
known as the away fans pub, but it
can be expected it can get extremely crowded. If you arrive
early, a better bet may be to take the ten minute walk
across Stanley Park to the pubs near Goodison. The Spellow,
Wilnslow Hotel and
Stanley Park (aka the Blue House) are all recommended.
Brian McIlwrick informs me; 'I got to the ground at around
1.30pm and decided to enter the away end early, only to find
that they don't serve alcohol to away fans. Be warned!'
|
|
A Hatter and a Red -
Mike Newell |
 |
| Mike
Newell. |
MIKE
NEWELL began his career as a youngster with Liverpool before
being released by the Reds without making a senior
appearance. It was a big disappointment for Newell,
who is a huge Liverpool fan and would go on to label his
managerial career as being influenced by the great former
Reds managers Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
He
joined Luton Town under David Pleat
at the age of 20 for £100,000 from Wigan Athletic in January 1986, after
netting 25 goals in 72 League games for The Latics.
He made his Luton debut in a
0-1 loss at Chelsea in the Old First Division (now the Premiership) on January
11th 1986, in a side that included Luton legends Mick
Harford, David Preece,
Steve Foster, Brian Stein, Ricky Hill and Mal
Donaghy.
On his home debut, he netted
his first goal for the club as Luton beat Aston Villa 2-0, Mike netting the
first goal and Brian Stein adding a second. He only missed one game during
the remainder of that season, as he netted 6 goals in 16 games as a partner to
either Mick Harford or Brian Stein in attack.
He played all 42 League games
the following season, the 1986-87 campaign, and he scored 12 goals, which
included a memorable hat-trick against his former club Liverpool, who had
released him as a youngster. He helped Luton to their highest-ever finish
of 7th in the top flight - and Luton only finished 5 points behind Tottenham
Hotspur, who finished 3rd.
He played the first 5 games of
the next season, 1987-88, as Luton went on to lift the Littlewoods Cup that
season, but Mike failed to score in the opening 5 matches and he he joined
Leicester City
for £350,000 in September 1987. He made 63
League appearances for Luton, scoring 18 goals.
He also played for Crewe Alexandra,
Everton, Blackburn
Rovers,
Birmingham City, West Ham United (loan),
Bradford City (loan), Aberdeen,
Crewe
Alexandra (second spell), Doncaster Rovers and
Blackpool. He made a total of 530
League appearances during his career, scoring 120 goals and he totalled £3,585,000
in transfer fees.
He
joined the Hatters as manager in the summer of 2003 after
being sacked as manager of Hartlepool
United - who he had just led to promotion. He led
Luton to promotion from League One in 2004-05 as the Hatters
won the title at a canter. However, after struggling
at the foot of the Championship table in 2006-07, Newell was
sacked as manager. The reason given was not because of
Luton's poor form, but for gross misconduct after Newell had
repeatedly criticised former Chairman Bill
Tomlins. Continually linked with managerial
positions since leaving Kenilworth Road, Newell has yet to
find himself a new club.
|
|
The Club and The Ground
LIVERPOOL
have a superb history and, with some all-time great managers in
Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly, the Reds were always going to be
successful. Coupled with some legendary players over the
years and the Anfield-based Club show exactly why they have been
so successful. Recently former European Champions after defeating Italians
AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005, the glory days look like they may
well be back for the Reds.
Walking up to the ground
alongside Stanley Park, I have to say, that from a distance,
Anfield is not particularly impressive. Inside though, the ground
is wonderful and only the most critical of visitors would find fault
with it. The famous Kop Terrace at one end of the ground, has been
replaced by a huge stand designed to emulate the old Kop, hence
it's odd shape (kind of semi circular) and single large tier. The
other end, the Anfield Road Stand, part of which is given to away
supporters, is the most recent addition to the ground. It has
boosted not only the overall capacity of the stadium,
but has given Anfield a more balanced
and enclosed feel as all corners are now filled. On one side of
the stadium is the large, two-tiered, Centenary Stand, where the
front tier leg room is the tightest I have ever known. Opposite is
the Main Stand, the oldest in the ground and looking its age with
a number of supporting pillars. This stand has a TV gantry
suspended beneath its roof. In the corner
between the Kop & Centenary stands is an electric scoreboard,
which surprise, surprise, shows the match score in bright red
letters.
Around the outside of the ground, there are the Bill
Shankly Gates on Anfield Road. These wrought iron gates have
the legendary Liverpool phrase 'You'll Never Walk Alone' displayed
above them. There is also a statue of the great man, Bill
Shankly, near the Club shop. Also along Anfield Road, there is
the moving memorial
to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, which always has
flowers adorning it.
Hatters fans are located
in the Anfield Road Stand at one end of the ground, where just
under 2,000 seats are available, although this can be increased
for cup games. This stand is also shared with home supporters,
some of whom will be sitting in the small seated tier above the
away fans. Malcolm Dawson a travelling Sunderland
supporter adds; 'Try to avoid getting tickets
sold as restricted view, for the rear rows of the Anfield
Road Stand as it can be difficult to see the goals with people
standing up in front of you'.
Kimberly Hill
adds; 'Restricted view doesn't even begin to describe what
it was like. The Wolves
fans insisted on standing so it was like trying to watch the game
through a letterbox!' The facilities
within the stand are not bad. There is a Ladbrokes betting outlet
and the refreshment kiosks sell a wide variety of burgers, hot
dogs and pies, including a 'Scouse Pie' at £1.80.
I have always found it to be a good day out at Anfield, getting
the feeling that you are visiting one of the legendary venues in
world football. This is enhanced with the teams coming out to
'You'll Never Walk Alone' reverberating around the ground, with
the red and white scarves and flags of the fans displayed across
the Kop, at the beginning of the match. The atmosphere is normally
great, so sit back and enjoy the experience.
The
Club have applied for planning permission to build a new 60,000
all seated stadium, to be located in nearby Stanley Park. The
stadium would possibly retain the Anfield name (although the Club
may look for a corporate sponsor) and cost in the region of £80
million to build. However, no firm timescales have been announced
as to when it will be built.
Ground Guide courtesy
of the excellent Internet
Football Ground Guide.
History
- Liverpool Football Club
LIVERPOOL Football Club was formed in 1892
and is rightfully classed as the most successful British club at
club level. However, their beginnings are a direct result of
Everton.
Following some rule changes in 1882, Everton
were forced to find some enclosed grounds to play and met with
John Houlding in the Sandon. A ground was to be positioned
off priory Road which was their home until they were forced to
leave. In 1884 John Orrel agreed to let Houlding have a
pitch at Anfield Road and the first ever game at Anfield saw a
home win. Houlding poured money into the cause but after a few
years became a harder owner to be with. Eventually Orrel and
Houlding move further towards a severe rift and eventually when a
plan to buy the ground by Houlding failed, Orrel evicted the club.
After a further meeting a breakaway part of the club split from
Anfield to form their own team, leaving Anfield empty in the hands
of Orrel and Houlding. However, those left at the club with
Houlding decided the only thing to do with an empty football
ground was form a team to play there and in May 1892 Liverpool
Association Football Club was formed.
The club began in the Lancashire Association
League with John McKenna in charge of the team. McKenna had
been one of the men who stayed and sided with Houlding in the
split. Liverpool’s first game came on September 1st 1892
against Rotherham
and Liverpool won 7-1. This first-team saw the eleven
players all arriving following a trip north of the border by
McKenna who has Scottish connections in Glasgow. One year on
from formation McKenna again applied for election to the
Football league and this time was accepted. Their first game
at Anfield in the League saw them dispose of Lincoln
4-0. In fact, Liverpool went through the season
unbeaten and following a knockout competition they beat one Newton
Heath in the final to get there place in the top division.
However, a disappointing second season saw them bottom of the
league and lose the knockout competition to be relegated. A
tough fighting spirit at the club though saw them promoted back
again the following season. They stayed in the top Division
for eight years and in season 1900-01, Liverpool won the first of
their Championships. Two seasons earlier Liverpool had
ridded themselves of their blue and white quartered shirts in
favour of the now famous red shirts.
The end of the 1903-04 season saw the Reds
relegated - only to return straight away following a championship
win - again from Division 2. Liverpool followed this by
winning the First Division in 1905-06.
The twenties saw a good period
for Liverpool where, for the first time, they retained a Championship
that they had won. This came in 1921-22 and 1922-23.
The period also saw the emergence of Liverpool’s first great
goalkeeper, Elisha Scott, a giant Irishman.
The end of the decade though
saw Liverpool slump a bit and often finish in the lower half of
the League whilst their rivals Everton
compared considerably better. The team itself was ageing and
need to be replaced to improve.
It was the final season before
the war that saw Liverpool's best finish since their double
success early in the twenties. It equalled the finish of
1924. The team saw many a classy player at Liverpool though
in men like Gordon Hodgson, Liverpool's top League scorer in a
record that stood until Roger Hunt broke it in 1962. Hodgson
was one of two great South Africans to play for the Reds.
The other being Berry ‘Nivvy’ Nieuwenhuys. Nivvy joined
in 1933 and remained at the club until 1947 after missing years
due to the second world war. In 1935, Liverpool signed Matt
Busby from Manchester
City and he played over 100 games for Liverpool. He was
even offered a coaching role at Anfield but had given his word to Manchester
United that he would go there.
Following the second world war which had
seen Liverpool play with guest players including the likes of Bill
Shankly, Liverpool started by winning the League Championship.
The years following the war saw the emergence of a man who often
had the name of the club changed by the fans. Billy Liddel
had joined in 1938 and was to remain at ‘Liddelpool’ for many
a year. The Liverpool attack was formidable with Albert
Stubbins, Liddel and Jack Balmer. Many a team was hit for a
few goals. Another famous Red who was playing for the team
at the time was one Bob
Paisley. The team won the 1946-47 League but then
surprisingly languished to mid-table, much of the team
losing its main years to the war.
1950 saw Liverpool reach their second Cup Final
- only for the same result to occur as the first - a loss.
This loss - 0-2 to Arsenal
- was remembered by many a Liverpool fan as the one that Bob
Paisley was dropped for. The remainder of the fifties
saw poor performances from the Reds and in 1954 they were
relegated to Division Two where they stayed until 1962 when they
returned to Division One where they have remained ever since.
This return to the top League came under the one and only Bill
Shankly and saw the team prosper greatly for years to come.
The first of Shankly's
great teams was built around the ‘Colussus’ Ron Yeats and
included greats like St.John, Hunt and an emerging Callaghan.
The team also went on to win their first FA Cup in 1965 which,
despite earlier thoughts, didn’t make the famous Liver birds fly
away. Liverpool again won the League in 1964 and 1966 with
the FA Cup sandwiched between the two wins. The end of that
decade saw Shankly
rebuild the side for an assault on greater things. It
wasn’t until 1973 though that his new team would win the League
again. This win was part of a double though. The team
also won the UEFA cup that year - the first of many a European
triumph. Shankly’s
last year in charge saw him win the FA Cup for a second time
before bowing out. One Bob
Paisley then reluctantly took charge.
In 1974 Bob
Paisley took over the helm at Liverpool and saw the start of
the greatest-ever period in the club's history as far as trophies
went. The first season saw only a Charity Shield win but his
second season in charge saw a double of the UEFA Cup and the League
Championship which was to be retained the following year.
This second title was coupled together with the first of what
turned out to be two consecutive European Cups. The European
Super Cup was also won in 1977 and English club football was
pushed to the top of Europe. Two more League titles saw the
decade finish before Paisley
guided the team to their worst finish under his reign in 1981 when
the team finished 5th. However, he made up for it by
regaining the European cup and paired it with the first of four
consecutive League Cups. Paisley
retired in 1983 and fittingly became the first-ever manager to
walk up the Wembley steps to collect a trophy.
Joe Fagan took over in 1983-84 and it was
business as usual for the Reds. In his first season, Joe
Fagan won a unique treble of the League, League Cup and European Cup.
The League win was the third in a row whilst the other two
trophies were won for a fourth time in each case. Joe
Fagan’s second year saw him trophy less and announce his
retirement. He announced his intentions prior to the end of
the season and hoped to go out on a high by winning the European Cup
for a club record fifth time. Events, however, turned sour
that night at Heysel where 39 football fans died when a supporting
wall collapsed. The blame was placed at the Liverpool fans
door and English clubs were banned from Europe. The truth
however behind this goes further and although the Liverpool fans
shamefully attributed to the disaster, this was most certainly not
the only reason the tragedy happened. UEFA ignored calls
from Liverpool about the grounds state and segregation procedures
which were at best, poor. They also ignored what went on the
year before in Rome when Liverpool had beaten Roma in Rome when
masses of Liverpool fans were stoned.
The following season saw Kenny Dalglish take
over as player-manager with some assistance given to him by Bob
Paisley. The reds stormed to a League and Cup double,
the first since 1971. The FA Cup final saw the first FA Cup
Final between Liverpool and Everton
and the Reds won 3-1. The following few years saw the
development of a great side which like other English clubs
suffered from the lack of a European stage to test themselves on.
In 1988-89 Liverpool were again to be looking for a double.
Again tragic events happened which stunned the whole world of
football. On April 15 1989, Liverpool Football Club lost 96
fans of its fans in a tragedy at Hillsborough
that should never have happened. To this day, more than
fifteen years on, the families and fans are still fighting for the
JUSTICE that they deserve. Private prosecutions took place
against two officers from South Yorkshire Police. Despite
calls from Liverpool, the FA gave Liverpool the smaller end of the
ground. The movement of fans was not restricted in 1989 as
it was the previous year and the main route into the ground
pointed all fans in the same direction unless they knew the ground
well. This went to the main central pens where a crush
formed. No calls were answered from the fans to relieve the
pressure at the front and the Police thought at first it was a
pitch invasion and forced fans back into the pens. The
tragedy unfolded in front of the Police and the voices that
mattered in the control box remained silent.
More than fifteen years on the fight goes on
for people to learn the truth about Hillsborough. The same
truth that the Taylor report attempted to show but it was ignored
in crucial areas and newspapers like 'The Sun' printed lies about
Liverpool fans of which they have never publically apologised.
Rightly so, 'The Sun' is heavily boycotted nowadays from Liverpool
fans. It is only now that Sheffield
Wednesday have erected a memorial for Liverpool's 96. It
was ten years late.
After the tragedy, Liverpool went on to
claim the FA Cup against Everton
and lost the League on goal difference to Arsenal.
After Liverpool won the 1990 League trophy, the team had gone into
decline. Kenny Dalglish, under much strain, left the club
with an ageing side which Graeme Souness tried to change in one
fell swoop. The changes didn't all work at once and also saw
the demolition of the boot room at Anfield. His reign as
manager saw him gain one FA Cup final win in 1992 over Sunderland
after heart surgery. However, he also sold his story to a
newspaper not worthy of naming, suffice to say they peddled lies
about the Hillsborough disaster. After some time though he
failed to progress the team upwards and, after defeat to Bristol
City in the 1994 FA Cup, he resigned.
Roy Evans took over for what was seen as a
return to the old boot room days but he only had one League Cup
win to show for his work in 1995. Evans was a nice man but
just couldn’t move the Reds to their former glories. After
some time in charge and coming close to restoring the former
glories, a dual partnership was setup between himself and
Frenchman Gerrard Houllier. This happened in time for the
1998-99 season but, after just 12 games and four wins, Evans
resigned to leave Houllier in sole charge. After taking over
sole control, Houllier made moves to change the philosophy at the
club. After a disappointing finish to the 1999-00 season he
brought more players to the club and he was rewarded with a Cup
treble in 2001. The club managed to oversee the first cup treble
in the English game. Wins in the Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA
Cup saw the Reds lift the three trophies. Coupled with this the
Reds finished 3rd in the League which ensured they get a chance to
qualify for the Champions League the following season. Following
the qualifying round, the Reds entered the Champions League proper
and progressed to the quarter-finals before losing out. However,
season 2001-02 will also be remembered for the illness to Houllier.
Following the Leeds
game at Anfield he was given major heart surgery and didn't return
until the game against Roma at home. In the interim period
Phil Thompson took charge of the team. At the end of the
season the Reds had done nothing to retain their two domestic Cups
but did make progress in the League. They finished with more
points than ever before in the Premiership and made second place
which brought about automatic qualification for the Champions
League.
The Champions League exploits of the 2002-03
season saw the Reds drop out at the ed of the group stage and go
into the UEFA Cup where Celtic knocked them out. The season also
saw the Reds fail to make the grade in the League. Expensive
imports such as El Hadji Diouf were brought in and simply never
lived up to their price tag. Despite poor form the Reds were left
in line for a Champions League place but a last day loss at Chelsea
saw the London side finish fourth instead of the Reds. The Reds
did, however, win the Worthington Cup at Cardiff again. It all
meant UEFA Cup football the following term but again poor form
followed the Reds with poor management. Gerard Houllier was
visibly suffering torment in the game and despite taking the
fourth Champions League slot, the Reds were left even further
adrift from the top three. Big changes were needed.
Rafael Benitez took over for the 2004-05
season following the sacking of Gerard Houllier at the end of the
2003-04 season. Djibril Cisse was brought in for a record £14
million as a lasting legacy of Houllier whilst Benitez brought in
Luis Garcia and Alonso whilst discarding the likes of Owen and
Murphy.
Benitez achieved immediate success as in his
first season in English football, the Spaniard led Liverpool to
the Champions League final against Italian giants AC Milan.
Trailing 0-3 in Istanbul in the final at half-time, the game
looked all but over but a miraculous second-half comeback saw
Liverpool draw level through goals from Smicer, Gerrard and Alonso
and, with no further goals added in extra-time, the Reds won a
dramatic penalty shoot-out and lifted the trophy. The good
times were back at Anfield.
This success continued into 2005-06 as the
Reds won the FA Cup in dramatic fashion against West
Ham United, and Benitez also guided the club to a 3rd placed
finish in the Premiership.
Further big-money signings followed -
striker Peter Crouch, goalkeeper Reina and record signing Fernando
Torres, with England
internationals Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard already on the
books, the future looks bright for Liverpool.
History courtesy
of Liver
Web.
Luton Town
v
Liverpool... A
full rundown of all of the past meetings
| Home
Matches |
 |
|
Nov
|
13
|
1954
|
D2
|
W
|
3
|
2
|
15887
|
|
Sep
|
14
|
1960
|
D2
|
W
|
2
|
1
|
10055
|
|
Mar
|
31
|
1962
|
D2
|
W
|
1
|
0
|
9086
|
|
Aug
|
17
|
1974
|
D1
|
L
|
1
|
2
|
21216
|
|
Feb
|
5
|
1983
|
D1
|
L
|
1
|
3
|
18434
|
|
Feb
|
18
|
1984
|
D1
|
D
|
0
|
0
|
14877
|
|
Sep
|
4
|
1984
|
D1
|
L
|
1
|
2
|
14127
|
|
Apr
|
16
|
1986
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
1
|
15503
|
|
Oct
|
25
|
1986
|
D1
|
W
|
4
|
1
|
13140
|
|
Oct
|
24
|
1987
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
1
|
11997
|
|
Oct
|
8
|
1988
|
D1
|
W
|
1
|
0
|
12117
|
|
Aug
|
26
|
1989
|
D1
|
D
|
0
|
0
|
11124
|
|
Feb
|
23
|
1991
|
D1
|
W
|
3
|
1
|
12032
|
|
Aug
|
24
|
1991
|
D1
|
D
|
0
|
0
|
11132
|
|
|
| Away
Matches |
|
|
Apr
|
2
|
1955
|
D2
|
D
|
4
|
4
|
30710
|
|
Sep
|
7
|
1960
|
D2
|
D
|
2
|
2
|
27339
|
|
Nov
|
11
|
1961
|
D2
|
D
|
1
|
1
|
34924
|
|
Dec
|
14
|
1974
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
2
|
35151
|
|
Sep
|
11
|
1982
|
D1
|
D
|
3
|
3
|
33694
|
|
Oct
|
29
|
1983
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
6
|
31940
|
|
Dec
|
29
|
1984
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
1
|
35403
|
|
Oct
|
26
|
1985
|
D1
|
L
|
2
|
3
|
31488
|
|
Mar
|
7
|
1987
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
2
|
32433
|
|
May
|
9
|
1988
|
D1
|
D
|
1
|
1
|
30374
|
|
Mar
|
14
|
1989
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
5
|
31447
|
|
Jan
|
13
|
1990
|
D1
|
D
|
2
|
2
|
35312
|
|
Nov
|
10
|
1990
|
D1
|
L
|
0
|
4
|
35207
|
|
Jan
|
11
|
1992
|
D1
|
L
|
| | | |
