Liverpool reached their first European Cup final on 20 April 1977, beating Zürich 3–0 at Anfield to complete a 6–1 aggregate victory. Jimmy Case scored twice and Kevin Keegan added the third, turning the advantage established in Switzerland into a confirmed place in Rome.
The circumstances were very different from the previous round's home meeting with Saint-Étienne. Liverpool had won the first leg of this semi-final 3–1, leaving Zürich to attempt a recovery away from home. Bob Paisley's side needed no late rescue this time.
David Johnson started, with David Fairclough among the substitutes. Zürich included Franco Cucinotta, who had missed the first leg through suspension, alongside Peter Risi in their attack. Liverpool's familiar defensive core remained in place, with Ray Clemence behind Phil Neal, Joey Jones, Tommy Smith and captain Emlyn Hughes.
Before the opening goal, Karl Grob saved a Keegan volley following Smith's header across the penalty area. The Zürich goalkeeper then contributed to Liverpool's breakthrough. His attempted distribution towards Pierre-Albert Chapuisat gave Case the chance to intervene, and the midfielder finished past him to put Liverpool ahead.
Case's goal made it 4–1 on aggregate before half-time. Zürich now needed three goals merely to draw level across the two matches, having failed to score during the opening half at Anfield.
Alan Waddle replaced Heighway during the second half. Case later struck again from a free-kick: Ray Kennedy moved aside and Case drove the ball through towards goal for Liverpool's second. Keegan completed the scoring after Waddle met Kennedy's cross with a header against the bar, following up to head in the rebound.
The victory was completed before a crowd of 50,611. Borussia Mönchengladbach would be Liverpool's opponents in the final on 25 May, but another semi-final came first: Everton in the FA Cup that Saturday.
There was still a crowded domestic programme to negotiate. What Anfield had settled was the European destination. After two legs and six goals against Zürich, Liverpool had earned their first opportunity to contest the continent's leading club final.