Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Barcelona on Tuesday night was one of the most exciting Anfield nights in club history. The old saying that the Kop can suck a football right into the goal is true on big occasions and last night’s game was true to the cliche.
There have been a number of memorable Anfield nights over the decades Reds supporters will never forget. Some Anfield nights stand out more than others due to their importance over time. From Champions League goals to Premier League matches, these 5 iconic Anfield nights won’t be forgotten by Reds supporters.
5. Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea – 2007
The Reds went into the second leg of their Champions League semifinal down a goal to Chelsea. The game was set up for another one the club’s famous European Anfield nights.
Daniel Agger levelled the tie in the 22nd minute with a gorgeous low strike. The game went to penalties with the Reds securing progression to the 2007 Champions League Final beating Chelsea 4-1 on spot kicks.
4. Liverpool 3-1 Olympiacos – 2004
Liverpool kicked off against Olympiacos in the Champions League needing to win 1-0 or by two clear goals. The night didn’t start well as Rivaldo scored less than a half hour into the game.
The Reds hopes of advancing looked over but Rafael Benitez introduced Florent Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor as Liverpool needed three goals. The duo scored after coming on and it set up captain Steven Gerrard to tally the winner and send the Reds into the knockout stage.
3. Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle – 1996
In April 1996, Liverpool welcomed a fading Newcastle to Merseyside for what has become one of the most iconic Anfield nights. Although the stakes weren’t as high as in other games in the Champions League, the game has left an indelible mark on the football world.
Liverpool’s Robbie Fowler opened the scoring in the second minute but Les Ferdinand and David Ginola scored within minutes to give Newcastle the lead. Fowler added a second in the 55th-minute to level the game in what was becoming an exciting fixture with Newcastle’s title hopes hinging on the result.
Faustino Asprilla added a third for Newcastle two minutes later to put the Magpies back in the lead. But the game was far from over. Stan Collymore levelled the score once more in the 68th minute and then popped up in the second minute of stoppage time to win the game for the Reds.
The images of Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan slumped over the advertising hoardings are still shown every time the two clubs meet.
2. Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea – 2005
Liverpool would never have had their remarkable turnaround in Istanbul had it not been for their Champions League semifinal win against Chelsea in 2005.
The tie’s only goal came in the fourth minute of the second leg at Anfield. Luis Garcia’s goal just crept over the line as the Reds booked their tickets to the final against AC Milan.
1. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona – 2019
Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Barcelona is the greatest of all Anfield nights. Sure, it is fresh in the mind, but the importance of the result was earth-shattering.
Barcelona were considered the world’s best team ahead of the game and just one week prior defeated Liverpool 3-0 at Camp Nou. The task of overturning a three-goal deficit was thought impossible, but as Jurgen Klopp said prior to kick off if any players could do it, it was his squad.
Liverpool went toe to toe with Barcelona for the next 90 minutes which is something few teams do to the Spaniards.
Divock Origi opened the scoring after tapping in a rebound from Jordan Henderson’s shot. Second-half substitute Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice within minutes before Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cheeky corner was scored by Origi.
It was one of the greatest nights to be a Reds supporter
