Liverpool are one of the most successful clubs in European football. They have won 14 continental trophies. Six of them have come in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League.
The Reds were the dominant English side in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning four titles in seven years. After that, they had to wait for more than two decades till that famous night in Turkey.
6 – Liverpool have now won the European Cup/Champions League six times in their history; only Real Madrid (13) and AC Milan (7) have won it more often. Legacy. #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/tgD9a0Mok2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 1, 2019
The most recent triumph came in 2019, after losing the final to Real Madrid in 2018. All of the encounters have been special in their own regard, and the Reds could pull level with AC Milan on seven titles in a few days.
Therefore, it serves well to remember just how dominant they have been in this competition over the years. FootTheBall recounts the six famous nights in Liverpool’s history.
Liverpool 3-1 Borussia Monchengladbach, 1977
The first European Cup came under the management of the legendary Bob Paisley. Bill Shankly had transformed Liverpool into an English giant. However, he could not lead the Reds to the promised land.
Paisley came in, and upgraded the side further. Liverpool had won the First Division title and UEFA Cup in 1976, before going onto lift the European Cup.
Another wonderful anniversary to celebrate – #onthisday in 1977, we won our first European Cup! pic.twitter.com/ugXzn7MQCo
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 25, 2016
Kevin Keegan was the hero, putting Berti Vogts in all sorts of problems. Liverpool were just too good in all departments, running out comfortable winners in the end. It would mark the start of a fantastic run in the competitions.
Liverpool 1-0 Club Brugge, 1978
The defence of their European Cup in 1978 started in brilliant fashion. Liverpool had a bye in the first round, before breezing past Dynamo Dresden and Benfica. They met Borussia Monchengladbach in the semis, who won the first-leg 2-1. However, Liverpool came roaring back in the second-leg to win 3-0.
The 1977–78 season of the European Cup tournament was won by defending champions Liverpool F.C in the final against Brugge. 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, London pic.twitter.com/vKa9Yu3XqT
— Old School Panini (@OldSchoolPanini) May 8, 2019
Club Brugge awaited them in the final, and it was the time for Kenny Dalglish to shine. The man who had been signed to replace Kevin Keegan scored the winner in the final to create a piece of history. Liverpool became the first British club to retain the European Cup.
Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid,1981
The first chapter of the Liverpool vs Real Madrid final rivalry took place at the Parc des Princes itself. Liverpool entered that year’s competition as English champions, one of the favourites to win the trophy for the third time in five years.
The Reds, once again, had a easy route to the semis where the three-time winners Bayern Munich awaited them. The first-leg in England finished goalless.
#OnThisDay in 1981, we won our third European Cup! 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/ECMR3EoNp5
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 27, 2016
The second-leg was a much more tense affair before Ray Kennedy scored the opener in the 83rd minute. Bayern got their leveler, but Liverpool would hold on to progress on the away goals rule.
Los Blancos were the slight favourites in the final, but a Alan Kennedy goal sealed their fate. Liverpool and Bob Paisley won their third European Cup, certifying their status as the best English side on the continental level.
Liverpool 1(4)-1(2) Roma, 1984
The first season under Joe Fagan could not have gone any better. Liverpool would go onto win the League Cup and First Division titles. The Reds would beat Benfica in the quarter-finals, before triumphing over Dinamo Bucuresti in a hard-fought battle.
Roma were their opponents in the the final, with Liverpool having the chance to complete a treble. The final was held in Stadio Olimpico, home of Roma.
Liverpool FC. Champions 1984. (England & Europe).#Liverpool #LFC #Champions ⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/wz86qq3DLE
— "YNWA" The Story of Liverpool FC (@LFCHistoryShow) January 3, 2022
However, it was Liverpool who took the lead through Phil Neal. Roma would go onto level things up and it would stay the same until the end of the extra-time. In the subsequent penalty shootout, Bruce Grobbelaar’s “spaghetti legs” technique caused Francesco Graziani to miss a crucial kick.
Thus, Alan Kennedy scored the game-winning penalty to seal yet another European Cup for the dominating Reds.
Liverpool 3(3)-3(2) AC Milan, 2005
The Miracle of Istanbul was something you had to see to believe. AC Milan were one of the most dominant sides in Europe and showed that killer instincts with three goals before halftime.
Liverpool looked dead and buried, as no side had come back from a three-goal deficit at halftime to win the Champions League. However, the halftime team talk from Rafael Benitez and co. must have been extremely effective. Liverpool burst out of the traps, ready to give it a go.
Liverpool vs. AC Milan in the UCL.
We still can't believe Liverpool managed to beat this Milan side in 2005 😅 pic.twitter.com/Mi0bwhG0ZF
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 26, 2021
Steven Gerrard reduced the arrears with a crisp volley, before Vladimir Smicer scored from a piledriver. At the stroke of the hour mark, Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Gerrard was felled by Gennaro Gattuso.
Xabi Alonso stepped up and saw his shot saved by Dida. However, he was fortunate enough to score the rebound, and draw the game. There would be no further goals as the final headed to penalties.
#OnThisDay in 2005, Liverpool recovered from 3 goals down to beat AC Milan (aet, 3-2 on penalties) in the #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/vCH4gf3LqQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2016
Out of the first four penalties for each side, Milan would score twice while Liverpool netted thrice. That left Andriy Shevchenko with the critical kick.
However, he would be denied by Jerzy Dudek and Liverpool would complete the most remarkable of comebacks in Champions League history.
Liverpool 2-0 Spurs, 2019
An all-English final for the first time since 2008, Liverpool were aiming to win their sixth crown after being denied in 2018. Spurs were the debutants at this stage, and their inexperience quickly showed.
Liverpool were awarded a penalty after 100 seconds, with Mo Salah opening the scoring. The Reds would mostly control the match, hardly allowing any chances for their league rivals.
🔴 Liverpool = European & world champions! 🥇
2019 Champions League winners 🏆
2019 Super Cup winners 🏆
2019 Club World Cup winners 🏆#UCL pic.twitter.com/6wQwQPmQGp— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 21, 2019
Super sub Divock Origi would add the finish touches to the scoreline by scoring in the 87th minute, continuing his burgeoning legend.
It would be the first European trophy for manager Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool were Champions League winners once again. The most successful side in Europe from Britain.
