Liverpool’s 5 Champions League victories: Looking back at glory
By Kris Whelan
1981- Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid
Liverpool’s third European triumph win in five years cemented their place alongside European royalty and fortified their position as the most intimidating team in the world. It was Liverpool’s second European final in a row that was decided by a single goal.
Incredibly this was Real Madrid’s 9th final, having already won the competition six times. However, the Spanish giants hadn’t won the competition in 15 years. Liverpool went in to the game under some pressure as they only finished 5th in the English first division. They had however, won the league cup by beating West Ham earlier in the year.
On route to the final, Liverpool beat Oulun Palloseura (Finland), Aberdeen (Scotland), CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria) and Bayern Munich (Germany). Real Madrid beat Inter Milan in the semi final to book their date with Liverpool in Paris for the 27th of May.
If people thought the 1978 final was a dull affair, they had seen nothing yet. The Liverpool vs Real Madrid final was a shockingly slow affair, a tactical battle between Bob Paisley and Madrid manager Vujadin Boškov.
It took an 82nd minute throw in from Ray Kennedy to break the deadlock. The throw in found the unlikeliest of heroes in left back Alan Kennedy who drove home past Agustin Rodriguez, giving Liverpool their third European Cup. Bob Paisley became the first ever manager to win the trophy three times.
Liverpool line up: Substitutes:
GK- Ray Clemence GK- Steve Ogrizovic
RB- Phil Neal DF- Richard Money
CB- Alan Hansen DF- Colin Irwin
CB- Phil Thompson (C) MF- Jimmy Case
LB- Alan Kennedy FW- Howard Gayle
RM- Sammy Lee
CM- Graeme Souness
CM- Terry McDermot
LM- Ray Kennedy
CF- Kenny Dalglish
CF- David Johnson
Next: 1984: Penalties in Rome