Istanbul to Anfield, Wembley and Camp Nou: Liverpool’s most memorable matches

FROM Anfield to Istanbul, Wembley and Camp Nou, here are 10 Liverpool matches that — Reds fans or not — won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Steven Gerrard blasts home Liverpool’s late equaliser in the 2006 FA Cup final.

FROM Anfield to Istanbul, Wembley and Camp Nou, here are 10 Liverpool matches that — Reds fans or not — are hard to forget.

2005 Champions League final v AC Milan in Istanbul

It just had to be, didn’t it! In what is widely seen as one of the greatest sporting comebacks, the Reds hit back from a disastrous start to force extra time and then maintain their composure to win on penalties. The Italians began in explosive fashion by scoring inside a minute through Paolo Maldini. Two goals just before halftime from Hernan Crespo seemingly wrapped up the game. But Liverpool hit back early in the second half with quickfire goals to Steven Gerrard, Vladamir Smicer and Xabi Alonso. Milan dominated the rest of the match but couldn’t a winner. Jersey Dudek then pulled off three great penalty saves to land Liverpool their first European Cup in 21 years.

Premier League, 2013-2014 season, Liverpool v Chelsea at Anfield

Steven Gerrard was so close to winning his first league winners’ medal yet his wonderful efforts of that incredible season will pale in significance beside his infamous SLIP. Liverpool — on the back of 11 straight wins and 16 games unbeaten — welcomed Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea with three games remaining. The game was evenly poised until Gerrard lost his footing just before halftime while receiving a pass from Mamadou Sakho. Demba Ba pounced and put the visitors 1-0 up. It was a blow Liverpool couldn’t recover from. Willian added a second late on and the Reds had relinquished control of the title. It’s arguable though that the bigger blow to their title prospects was the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace eight days later in what was a reverse Istanbul.

Demba Ba pounces on Streven Gerrard’s slip.

Premier League, 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 seasons, Liverpool 4 Newcastle 3 both times

Take your choice Reds fans! Or better still, reminisce over both. Incredibly these games — just 11 months apart — endede with a last-minute winner for Liverpool. The first has been often called the great game in EPL history. Liverpool scored early through Robbie Fowler before Newcastle took charge with goals from Les Ferdinand and David Ginola. Fowler restored parity before Faustino Asprilla gave the visitors the lead again. Stan Collymore equalised again before stroking home the winner in the 90th minute. Newcastle — with Kenny Dalglish in charge — could feel even more hard done by. They fought back from 3-0 down only to watch in complete despair as Robbie Fowler nodded home the winner.

Stan Collymore scores Liverpool's winner against Newcastle

1986 FA Cup final, Liverpool v Everton at Wembley

The Merseyside rivals were the dominant sides of the 1980s. Liverpool had been crowned league champions just seven days earlier. Everton were runners up. It promised so much and didn’t disappoint. Gary Lineker opened the scoring for Everton but in the end Liverpool had too much class. Ian Rush got them back on level terms midway through the second half before Australia’s own Craig Johnston put them ahead. Rush struck again seven minutes before the end to seal Liverpool’s first FA Cup trophy in 12 years.

First Division, 1988-1989, Liverpool v Arsenal title decider at Anfield

It was the final game of the season. First against second. Arsenal needed to win by two goals. Liverpool needed to just keep their composure. But in the days following the Hillsborough tragedy that was easier said than done. Arsenal took the lead early in the second half through Alan Smith. The Reds though looked like holding out. Then with virtually the last kick of the match up stepped Michael Thomas to score the decisive second goal. Pity his attempt to do a backwards somersault in celebration didn’t quite work out.

Michael Thomas breaks Liverpool hearts with a late goal.

Premier League, 2013-14, Liverpool v Arsenal at Anfield

In a season characterised by the remarkable, this performance and subsequent result was undoubtedly a standout. For the first 45 minutes Liverpool made league leaders Arsenal look distinctly second rate. In a flurry Liverpool raced to a 4-0 lead within 20 minutes, with a brace from Martin Skrtel and goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. It should have been more, much more such was their dominance. Sterling added the fifth early in the second half and Arsenal were staring at humiliation. But the game’s intensity dropped and the Gunners got one back late from the penalty spot.

The scoreboard shows one of Liverpool’s most impressive showings of the EPL era.

Champions League, 2004-2005 semi-final second leg v Chelsea at Anfield

It was a time before goal line technology, where referees made the tough decisions and goals — however controversial — simply stood. Such was the case in this incredible tie that was decided by what has become known as the ‘ghost goal’. Luis Garcia poked home the winner in the fourth minute even though William Gallas claimed to have hooked the ball clear. Debate still rages today as to whether it crossed the line and it’s often said that it was the collective will of everyone at Anfield on the night that got the ball over the line. Chelsea had ample time to recover though but Liverpool prevailed.

Luis Garcia scores the winner despite William Gallas' best efforts

Champions League, 2006-2007 first round knockout, first leg, Barcelona v Liverpool at Nou Camp

It was a big season for English football in Europe. Three teams — Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea — all made the Champions League semi-finals, though none would go on to win the title. Liverpool made the final yet again, this time losing to AC Milan, but it was their stunning success over defending champions Barcelona a few rounds earlier at the Nou Camp which was an undoubted highlight of the campaign. Deco had put the hosts ahead early before Liverpool rallied superbly and were deservedly level through Craig Bellamy — he of the famous golf swing celebration — just before halftime. Barca poured forward in search of the winner but Liverpool stayed solid and John Arne Riise grabbed the winner. Barcelona won the second leg 1-0 at Anfield but the Reds went though on away goals.

Craig Bellamy shows off his unique goal celebration.

FA Cup final, 2006, Liverpool v West Ham United at Cardiff

You will usually find this game in top five lists of the greatest FA Cup finals. And it’s no wonder after viewing the performance of Steven Gerrard. West Ham got off to a flyer as a Jamie Carragher own goal and Dean Ashton strike gave them a 2-0 lead. Djibril Cisse got one back for the Reds and when Gerrard swept home his first Liverpool were well on top. But Paul Konchesky somehow contrived to put the Hammers back in front and it took a special Gerrard blast in the final minute to send the game into extra time. The Hammers then missed a golden opportunity in extra time to take the match and paid the price in penalties, missing three of their four attempts.

Steven Gerrard blasts home one of the great FA Cup final goals.

Premier League, 2014-2015, Stoke v Liverpool at Britannia Stadium

This is something Reds fans won’t want to remember in a hurry. Stoke 6 Liverpool 1. It’s their worst defeat in the history of the EPL and was a horrible way to send Steven Gerrard into retirement. It also virtually sealed the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers. While the magnitude of the final scoreline was simply stunning, it was even more scarcely believable after the first 45 minutes. Stoke ran riot with five goals — Mame Biram Diouf scored a brace while Jonathan Walters, Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi scored the others. Gerrard gave the Reds a flicker of hope in the second half before former Reds striker Peter Crouch completed the rout late on.

Liverpool hit a real low with the defeat at Stoke.