Alan Hansen's late goal carried Liverpool into the European Cup quarter-finals on 4 November 1981. AZ ’67 had twice equalised at Anfield before the centre-half settled the second leg 3–2, giving the holders a 5–4 aggregate victory.
Liverpool had surrendered a two-goal lead in the first meeting. At Anfield, Graeme Souness struck a post before Liverpool went ahead shortly before the interval.
Ronnie Whelan and Terry McDermott combined to send Kenny Dalglish through, and goalkeeper Eddy Treijtel brought him down. McDermott converted the penalty.
AZ became more dangerous after half-time, with Johnny Metgod moving forward to support Jan Peters. Peters helped create the opening for Kees Kist to drive a low shot past Bruce Grobbelaar and level the match.
Souness then supplied Dalglish, whose ball across goal allowed Ian Rush to restore Liverpool's lead. It lasted only five minutes. After Grobbelaar punched clear, Metgod lobbed the ball back towards goal. It struck the woodwork and rebounded off Phil Thompson, retreating to cover, into the net.
At 2–2, the sides were level on aggregate and away goals. Extra-time was approaching when McDermott sent another ball into the penalty area. Hansen brought it down on his chest, evaded a challenge and finished past Treijtel with five minutes remaining.
The crowd of 29,703 had seen Liverpool reach the last eight despite twice losing their lead on the night.