Liverpool's first attempt to play the UEFA Cup final at Anfield lasted only 27 minutes. Heavy rain forced the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach to be abandoned on 9 May 1973, giving Bill Shankly another opportunity to choose his side before the teams returned the following evening.
He brought in John Toshack for Brian Hall. The Welsh striker's aerial presence changed the contest, helping Liverpool establish a 3–0 lead in the completed first leg on 10 May.
Shankly had seen an opportunity to trouble the visitors with high balls into the penalty area. Toshack supplied both of Kevin Keegan's first-half goals, vindicating the alteration and giving Liverpool control of a final against opponents who had beaten Twente 5–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Keegan opened the scoring after 21 minutes. His next chance to extend the lead came from the penalty spot, but Wolfgang Kleff saved. Borussia also came close through Dietmar Danner, whose effort struck the post, before Keegan scored again to send Liverpool into half-time two goals ahead.
The two finishes gave the established Toshack–Keegan partnership a central part in Liverpool's first home European final. Toshack had not needed to score himself to make the difference: his work in the air had provided the openings for his smaller strike partner.
Larry Lloyd added the third with a header shortly after the hour, converting Keegan's corner. Yet even at 3–0, Liverpool still had an important piece of work to do. The visitors were awarded a penalty, and Jupp Heynckes had the chance to take an away goal back to West Germany.
Ray Clemence saved it. His intervention preserved both the three-goal margin and the clean sheet, leaving Borussia without the consolation which could have changed the arithmetic of the return leg.
Liverpool had won comprehensively, but the trophy was not yet theirs. Thirteen days later, Heynckes scored twice at the Bökelberg and Liverpool had to survive a goalless second half to win the final 3–2 on aggregate.
The Anfield performance had supplied just enough. Shankly's selection change, Keegan's two goals, Lloyd's header and Clemence's save all belonged to the advantage Liverpool would eventually carry over the line.