Anfield’s first European tie was almost settled before the visitors arrived.
Liverpool had won 5–0 in Reykjavík on 17 August 1964. When KR came to Merseyside for the return on 14 September, the immediate task was to complete a preliminary-round victory. For the ground, it was something new: its first match in the European Cup.
A crowd of 32,597 watched Bill Shankly’s side win 6–1 and advance 11–1 on aggregate. Ian St John scored twice; Gerry Byrne, Roger Hunt, Bobby Graham and Willie Stevenson supplied the other goals.
The opening half was less one-sided than that final score suggests. Byrne put Liverpool ahead in the 13th minute and St John added a second, but Gunnar Felixson replied before the interval. KR went in only 2–1 behind on the night, although Liverpool’s advantage across the two legs remained overwhelming.
After half-time, the gap widened. Hunt made it three before Graham scored on his first appearance for the club. Stevenson followed, and St John completed the scoring with his second.
Graham’s inclusion gave the occasion a separate personal significance. With Peter Thompson and Gordon Wallace unavailable, Shankly had brought him into the side alongside Alan A’Court. One player was beginning his Liverpool first-team career; for A’Court, this would prove to be his last appearance.
There was no need for a comeback or a late escape. Liverpool had established control of the tie in Iceland and reinforced it at home, scoring four times without reply after the interval. Anfield’s European record began with a comfortable victory, a debut goal and qualification for the next round.