Kenny Dalglish created three goals as Liverpool beat Oxford United 6–0 at Anfield on 22 March 1986. Ian Rush and Jan Mølby scored twice each in a victory that brought Liverpool level on points with Everton at the top of the First Division.
Rush scored inside the first minute from Dalglish’s pass, but Oxford initially threatened to reply. Jeremy Charles hit the crossbar before Dalglish released Mark Lawrenson for Liverpool’s second in the 18th minute.
Lawrenson subsequently went off with an ankle injury, Steve Nicol replacing him. Liverpool continued to create chances: Rush twice struck the bar before setting up Ronnie Whelan for the third before half-time, with Dalglish again involved in the move.
Mølby converted a penalty early in the second half after a challenge on Rush. The pair then combined for the fifth, Rush exchanging passes with the Dane and rounding Steve Hardwick to score. Dalglish supplied Mølby for the final goal two minutes from time.
Five days after needing extra time to beat Watford in the FA Cup, Liverpool had won their fourth consecutive league match. Everton’s 2–1 defeat at Luton left both Merseyside clubs on 66 points with a goal difference of plus 35. Everton remained first on goals scored, 73 to Liverpool’s 71, and still had a game in hand.
Sources
- LFChistory: Oxford United, match record and league table
- BDFutbol: Liverpool 6–0 Oxford United
- Alan Nixon, Sunday Mirror: contemporary report transcribed in match archive
- FourFourTwo: Dalglish recalls becoming Liverpool manager
- BetExplorer: 1985–86 First Division results
- LFChistory: 1985–86 season results