A seven-goal thriller and a dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle led to just one query again in 1997, who stated lightning by no means strikes the identical place twice?
It’s March 1997, Roy Evans is within the sizzling seat for Liverpool and a well-recognized face in Kenny Dalglish sits in the exact same dugout, however because the supervisor of Newcastle.
Anfield is taking part in host to the Monday night time conflict, 341 days after the 2 groups performed out the Premier League‘s greatest-ever sport.
There was no method this might replicate the long-lasting and breathtaking 4-3 spectacle, a sequel couldn’t presumably be on the playing cards. Effectively, we needed to assume once more.
Dalglish & ‘abject’ Newcastle
The forged members weren’t fairly the identical from 11 months earlier however they every had an identical dramatic script available and delivered Oscar worthy performances.
In 1996, the 2 traded objectives in a breathless 90-minute encounter and whereas there could be no Kevin Keegan slumping over the promoting hoardings this time, Dalglish did have a shirt thrown in his face by a disgruntled fan.
It got here after the Reds raced right into a three-goal benefit in 42 exhilarating first-half minutes, with the hosts punishing Newcastle‘s pragmatism within the absence of spearhead Alan Shearer.
Steve McManaman, carrying Dalglish’s iconic No. 7, obtained the scoring underway within the twenty ninth minute, a poised end on the flip in entrance of a jubilant Anfield Highway Finish.
The aim had been brewing and merely 70 seconds later, Patrik Berger had the ball behind the web after reacting first to Robbie Fowler’s shot ricocheting off the upright. 2-0 Liverpool.
Liverpool XI: James; Kvarme, Wright, Matteo, Bjornebye; McManaman, Barnes, Redknapp, Berger; Fowler
Slicing by way of Newcastle with ease, Liverpool proved an excessive amount of for the Magpies, who the Press Affiliation assessed as having “confirmed a defeatist perspective that was unprecedented in Keegan’s reign.”
However Evans’ facet weren’t executed compounding the customer’s woes, with Fowler including the ending touches to a surprising half of soccer with a first-time end between the 2 centre-backs.
Toothless and discombobulated, a fan made Dalglish conscious of his disgruntlement after operating down the touchline and flinging his shirt within the supervisor’s face – discuss an absence of safety.
Three-nil up and Newcastle described as having “probably the most abject 75 minutes anybody can bear in mind,” the place’s the drama in that?
Effectively, Liverpool had been concerned for one. We are able to by no means do it the simple method.
Aptitude for the dramatics
In the event you’re into omens, Evans admitting pre-match that he would settle for a similar 4-3 scoreline from a yr earlier solely ever meant one factor – he would get what he requested for.
Although, he definitely obtained greater than he bargained for.
With a three-goal benefit beneath the lights at Anfield, the Reds had been firmly in management till Keith Gillespie conjured a aim out of nothing within the 71st minute.
Solely then did Dalglish’s facet “rediscover their pleasure and keenness,” with that glimmer of hope sufficient to punish Jamie Redknapp’s carelessness due to Faustino Asprilla’s lob over David James.
The scoreboard now learn 3-2 with solely three minutes remaining, certainly sufficient for Liverpool to see it out. Absolutely…
Anfield was desperately calling out for the ultimate whistle and you may think about the air being sucked from their lungs as Warren Barton trickled the ball into the again of the web for 3-3.
Disbelief was within the air, for Liverpool and Newcastle followers alike. From a snug benefit to equal footing, James lay in shock on the turf and he was not the one one along with his head in his palms.
However soccer is a humorous previous sport, isn’t it. It’s by no means over till that remaining whistle rings out.
And simply as they did in 1996, Liverpool scored the winner within the ninetieth minute to take the wind out of Newcastle‘s sails once more – with Fowler the hero this time with a near-post header.
Outjumping everybody, Fowler met Stig Inge Bjornebye’s cross with the desperation you crave from the gamers with the sport on the road. 4-3 Liverpool. We had been right here earlier than.
The breathless victory ensured Dalglish’s winless run at Anfield as a visiting supervisor continued and all however snuffed out their title ambitions, because the Reds moved to inside a degree of Man United.
Ultimately, simply two victories from Liverpool’s subsequent remaining 9 video games of 1996/97 put them out of the reckoning as they completed degree with Newcastle on 68 factors – seven factors adrift of United.
This traditional with Newcastle although, no less than sparked some hope. The sequel delivered and, fortunately, the ultimate plot twist remained with the Reds.
They are saying historical past doesn’t repeat itself, however Liverpool, Newcastle and Anfield can definitely testify on the contrary. Lightning, in actual fact, can strike the identical place twice.
