For much of Liverpool’s return to Europe, the lead was only one goal.
The final score against Kuusysi Lahti on 18 September 1991 was 6–1. Dean Saunders scored four and Ray Houghton two, but that comfortable margin came late. With the second half well advanced, the Finnish visitors were still within reach of Graeme Souness’s side.
This was Liverpool’s first European fixture since 1985. Their absence followed the Heysel disaster, in which 39 people were killed before the European Cup final against Juventus. English clubs had been readmitted to European competition in 1990; Liverpool’s ban lasted a further year.
The return came in the first round of the UEFA Cup, before 17,131 spectators at Anfield. Saunders partnered Ian Rush in attack, with Steve McManaman also in the starting side. Steve Nicol captained the team and Mike Hooper played in goal.
Saunders put Liverpool ahead early in the match and Houghton made it 2–0. Kuusysi replied before the interval, however, and the teams went in with Liverpool leading 2–1.
That score remained unchanged for much of the second half. What had begun as an opportunity to establish a commanding first-leg advantage was still a close match as the closing stages approached.
Saunders then changed the scale of the result. Three late goals took his personal total to four and Liverpool’s to five. Houghton added the sixth at the end, completing his own double and leaving the scoring entirely to two players.
The burst mattered beyond the appearance of the scoreline. Liverpool lost the return leg 1–0 in Finland but advanced 6–2 on aggregate. Their renewed European campaign would reach the quarter-finals, where Genoa eliminated them.