David Fairclough's equaliser gave Liverpool a 1–1 draw at Hamburg in the first leg of the European Super Cup on 22 November 1977. Ferdinand Keller had put the home side ahead, but Liverpool returned from the Volksparkstadion with the scores level and the second leg still to come at Anfield.
The competition paired Liverpool, the European Cup winners, with the holders of the Cup Winners' Cup. Hamburg had earned their place by beating Anderlecht in that final. Kevin Keegan was now in their attack, facing a Liverpool side with Kenny Dalglish and Fairclough in its starting eleven.
Keller scored after 29 minutes. Liverpool made a defensive change before half-time, Tommy Smith replacing Joey Jones, but remained a goal behind at the interval. Bob Paisley made his second substitution in the 58th minute, sending on David Johnson for Jimmy Case.
Seven minutes later, Fairclough equalised with a header following a Dalglish cross. The goal removed Hamburg's lead and ensured that Liverpool would begin the return match without a deficit to recover.
There was no further scoring. The tie moved to Anfield on 6 December, when Liverpool won 6–0 to take the trophy 7–1 on aggregate. That overwhelming second-leg score would define the contest, but the first meeting had required a recovery from behind. Fairclough supplied it, giving Liverpool a draw before the decisive home match.