Liverpool reached the European Cup semi-finals with a 4–1 victory over Austria Vienna at Anfield on 20 March 1985. Paul Walsh scored twice as the holders turned a 1–1 first-leg draw into a 5–2 aggregate win.
Austria created chances before Liverpool took control. Ronnie Whelan cleared an early header off the line, and Herbert Prohaska later missed after Toni Polster's back-heel put him through.
Liverpool's first two goals began with Alan Hansen passes. For the opener, Alan Kennedy advanced down the left and crossed low for Walsh to head in after 16 minutes. Before half-time, Hansen released Whelan on the same flank; his cross found Steve Nicol to make it 2–0.
The third came almost immediately after the restart, Erich Obermayer turning Ian Rush's cross into his own net. Walsh then volleyed Liverpool's fourth after Austria failed to clear a Whelan delivery. With little more than ten minutes of the half played, the tie was effectively settled.
Prohaska scored from a free-kick after 64 minutes, but Liverpool had another opportunity to extend the margin. Walsh took a penalty awarded for a foul on Nicol and shot wide, missing his chance of a hat-trick.