Liverpool v Leeds (aggregate 0-1), Inter-City Fairs Cup 1970-71
Few experiences are as satisfying for an away player as silencing Anfield. Billy Bremner achieved this in the first leg by heading home unmarked, scoring the only goal across 180 minutes. John Toshack attempted to equalize but his shot was blocked on the line by Leeds’ resolute defence.
“If you miss chances like we did, you do not deserve to win,”said Bill Shankly. Both clubs were at their peak under Shankly and Don Revie, with Liverpool having defeated Leeds in the 1965 FA Cup final after extra time, fueling a fierce rivalry. Bremner had struggled with injury during the 1970-71 season and was required to prove his fitness in a friendly against Bradford the day before the Anfield match, a practice unlikely to be recommended by modern sports scientists but evidently effective. Recalled to the lineup, Bremner inspired Leeds’ run to the trophy, culminating in a victory over Juventus on away goals in the final.
Chelsea v Manchester City (agg 2-0), Cup Winners’ Cup 1970-71
Injuries affected both teams, leading Chelsea to select South African Derek Smethurst in place of Peter Osgood. Smethurst rewarded the decision by scoring a fine goal in the first leg.
“It went over my right shoulder and as it bounced I hit it with no back swing and it was a sweet connection – it’s the most difficult strike in the book because you’re running forward and the ball is coming from behind you,”he recalled. Manchester City had to field reserve goalkeeper Ron Healey in the second leg, who conceded an own goal by dropping a simple cross from Keith Weller, giving Chelsea an away goal and leaving City needing three to advance. Despite their efforts, Chelsea progressed and went on to defeat Real Madrid in a replay.
Liverpool v Tottenham (agg 2-2, Liverpool win on away goals), Uefa Cup 1972-73
Dubbed the battle of the Bills, Liverpool’s Bill Shankly faced Tottenham’s Bill Nicholson. Liverpool took the lead in the first leg through Alec Lindsay after a scramble in the box but left Anfield with only a one-goal advantage. At White Hart Lane, Martin Peters equalized early in the second half with a close-range volley, and five minutes later the match was level on the night. Kevin Keegan delivered a precise outside-of-the-boot pass to Steve Heighway, who scored past Pat Jennings. Peters then scored a second goal, but Liverpool held on to progress on away goals.
“Before the goal they gave a tremendous exhibition,”Shankly said of his team.
“Then it blew up into flames and it was all hell’s fire at the end.”
Chelsea v Liverpool (agg 0-1), Champions League 2004-05
Early in the second leg, less than four minutes after a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, Luis García scored what became known as the “ghost goal.” The legitimacy of whether the ball fully crossed the line before William Gallas cleared remains debated, with little evidence supporting the assistant referee’s decision to award the goal.
“I started thinking: ‘Oh my goodness, maybe it wasn’t,’ but I turned round and saw the referee and the linesman running back into position and just started screaming,”García said. The early lead energized Anfield, creating a challenging atmosphere for Chelsea.
“I felt the power of Anfield – it was magnificent,”José Mourinho remarked.
“I felt it didn’t interfere with my players but maybe it interfered with other people and maybe it interfered with the result.”Despite Mourinho’s star-studded squad, heavily backed by Roman Abramovich’s investment, Rafa Benítez’s Liverpool prevailed. The drama of this tie was a prelude to the memorable final in Istanbul.
Chelsea v Liverpool (agg 1-1, pen 1-4), Champions League 2006-07
Two years later, Chelsea returned to Anfield with a one-goal advantage from Joe Cole’s first-leg strike. Mourinho attempted to unsettle Liverpool by labeling them a cup team before the match. The tie was decided in a tense evening under the Anfield lights. Daniel Agger, an unlikely scorer, converted a clever free-kick from Steven Gerrard to level the tie. Dirk Kuyt nearly clinched the match in regular time, but his header hit the bar, while Chelsea’s Didier Drogba missed a close-range chance. The outcome was decided by penalties, where Pepe Reina saved shots from Arjen Robben and Geremi, allowing Liverpool to convert all four of their attempts.
Liverpool v Chelsea (agg 3-4, aet), Champions League 2007-08
The final chapter of this trilogy saw Chelsea finally overcome Liverpool. In the first leg at Anfield, a 95th-minute own goal by John Arne Riise canceled out Dirk Kuyt’s opener, improving Chelsea’s prospects. Benítez’s comments calling Drogba a diver motivated the Ivorian striker.
“Benítez was a manager I respected a lot,”Drogba said.
“Until now, I found him not only very competent but also classy. But he has really disappointed me here. His words demonstrate a weakness.”Drogba and Fernando Torres exchanged goals to send the second leg to extra time. Pepe Reina was unable to replicate his heroics from previous ties as Frank Lampard scored a penalty after Sami Hyypiä fouled Michael Ballack, followed by another goal from Drogba. Ryan Babel’s late goal made the finish tense, but Chelsea advanced and later lost the final.
Manchester United v Arsenal (agg 4-1), Champions League 2008-09
John O’Shea scored a powerful close-range shot to win the first leg 1-0 at Old Trafford. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the crossbar, United were wasteful in front of goal, giving Arsène Wenger hope of a comeback. However, United dominated the second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Kieran Gibbs slipped in his own box, allowing Park Ji-sung to score early. Ronaldo then confirmed his elite status by scoring a 40-yard free-kick past Manuel Almunia, who reacted slowly. Ronaldo completed the victory with a swift counterattack finish after a Wayne Rooney pass. United’s run ended as Barcelona proved superior in the final.
