19 September 1925
Forshaw’s hat-trick leads Liverpool’s five-goal defeat of United
Dick Forshaw scored three as Liverpool beat Manchester United 5–0 at Anfield, turning a narrow half-time lead into a decisive First Division victory.
Liverpool history · Competition
First Division
Liverpool in the First Division, through match reports and historical features.
Through the seasons
1925–26
1 article
1970–71
3 articles
Explore 1970–71 21 November 1970 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–2 Everton: Heighway starts the comeback
Steve Heighway and John Toshack brought Liverpool back from two goals down before Chris Lawler completed a 3–2 derby victory over Everton.
30 January 1971 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Arsenal: a win against the coming Double winners
Liverpool scored near the beginning of each half. Arsenal left Anfield without a reply.
6 February 1971 · First Division · Elland Road
Leeds United 0–1 Liverpool: an early lead, a long defence
Liverpool had beaten Arsenal. Seven days later, they beat the league leaders too.
1971–72
6 articles
Explore 1971–72 6 November 1971 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–2 Arsenal: Ian Ross finds the late winner
Ian Ross scored only four goals for Liverpool. His last arrived three minutes from the end against Arsenal, turning a 2–2 draw into victory over the reigning league and FA Cup champions.
11 December 1971 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–2 Derby County: Jack Whitham’s afternoon
Jack Whitham scored seven goals in his Liverpool career. Three came in one afternoon against Derby County, and Liverpool needed every one of them.
4 March 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–0 Everton: a derby won from the first minute
Liverpool were ahead before the first minute was over. By the end of the derby at Anfield on 4 March 1972, Everton had conceded four without reply.
18 March 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–0 Newcastle United: five scorers and a warning in the tunnel
Five Liverpool players scored against Newcastle at Anfield on 18 March 1972. The goalkeeper’s contribution also mattered.
3 April 1972 · First Division · Old Trafford
Manchester United 0–3 Liverpool: two quick goals and a debut for Phil Thompson
Liverpool scored twice in two minutes at Old Trafford on Easter Monday 1972. By the end of the afternoon they had a third goal, another clean sheet and a new first-team player.
1 May 1972 · First Division · Baseball Ground
Derby County 1–0 Liverpool: the goal that left the title hanging
John McGovern’s goal ended Derby County’s league season with a win over Liverpool. It did not settle the championship that evening, but it gave Brian Clough’s side the total that would eventually be enough.
1972–73
9 articles
Explore 1972–73 12 August 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Manchester City: Hall starts a new title challenge
Brian Hall needed only three minutes to score Liverpool’s first league goal of 1972–73. Ian Callaghan supplied the second near the end, as a season that would bring the championship began with a 2–0 win against Manchester City.
23 September 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–0 Sheffield United: three quick goals take Liverpool towards the top
Liverpool scored three times in five minutes against Sheffield United, turning a goalless match into a commanding lead. Two further goals after half-time completed a 5–0 win which put them top of the First Division.
30 September 1972 · First Division · Elland Road
Leeds United 1–2 Liverpool: Phil Boersma completes the comeback
Liverpool came from behind at Elland Road to remain top of the First Division. Phil Boersma supplied the winning goal, having already helped create the equaliser.
7 October 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 1–0 Everton: Cormack makes his first derby count
Peter Cormack supplied the late winner in his first Merseyside derby, keeping Liverpool top of the First Division and continuing his productive introduction to Anfield.
18 November 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–2 Newcastle United: Toshack’s goal survives a late test
Liverpool recovered from defeat at Old Trafford with a five-goal victory over Newcastle. John Toshack made it 3–1, but a reply from Malcolm Macdonald and a missed Liverpool penalty kept the contest open.
2 December 1972 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–3 Birmingham City: Lindsay leads the recovery
Birmingham led 2–0 and 3–1 at Anfield, but Liverpool recovered to win. Alec Lindsay scored twice before John Toshack completed the comeback with thirteen minutes remaining.
3 March 1973 · First Division · Goodison Park
Everton 0–2 Liverpool: Hughes settles the derby in eight minutes
Emlyn Hughes scored twice late in the game at Goodison Park, completing a league double over Everton and keeping Liverpool ahead in a closely contested championship race.
23 April 1973 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Leeds United: Cormack and Keegan put the title within reach
Second-half goals from Peter Cormack and Kevin Keegan ended Leeds United's title hopes and left Liverpool needing one more point to be certain of the championship.
23 May 1973 · UEFA Cup final, second leg · Bökelbergstadion
Borussia Mönchengladbach 2–0 Liverpool: a defeat that delivered a European first
Two first-half goals from Jupp Heynckes brought Borussia Mönchengladbach close to overturning Liverpool's lead. A goalless second half secured a 3–2 aggregate victory and the club's first European trophy.
1973–74
4 articles
Explore 1973–74 3 November 1973 · First Division · Highbury
Arsenal 0–2 Liverpool: Hughes and Toshack end the away wait
Late goals from Emlyn Hughes and John Toshack brought Liverpool their first away league victory of 1973–74, after seven unsuccessful attempts.
8 December 1973 · First Division · Goodison Park
Everton 0–1 Liverpool: Alan Waddle’s one unforgettable goal
Alan Waddle scored the only goal at Goodison Park after Liverpool had lost Kevin Keegan before half-time. It would remain his only goal for the club.
22 December 1973 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United: ten home league wins out of ten
Kevin Keegan’s penalty and Steve Heighway’s second-half goal preserved Liverpool’s perfect home league record as they reached Christmas in second place.
8 May 1974 · First Division · White Hart Lane
Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 Liverpool: Shankly's last league team
Four days after winning the FA Cup, Liverpool finished their league season with a draw at Tottenham. Max Thompson made his debut in what became Bill Shankly's final league match in charge.
1974–75
4 articles
Explore 1974–75 7 September 1974 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–2 Tottenham: Boersma's first-half hat-trick
Phil Boersma scored three times before half-time as Liverpool maintained their unbeaten league start under Bob Paisley. Emlyn Hughes and Ray Kennedy completed the scoring against Tottenham.
26 December 1974 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–1 Manchester City: Hall's double restores top spot
Brian Hall scored twice as Liverpool answered defeat at Birmingham with a commanding Boxing Day win. John Toshack and Steve Heighway also scored in a result which returned Bob Paisley's side to first place.
8 February 1975 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–2 Ipswich: Toshack scores twice after cup exit
Two weeks after Ipswich ended Liverpool's FA Cup defence, John Toshack scored twice in a five-goal Anfield response. Brian Hall, Alec Lindsay and Peter Cormack also scored against Bobby Robson's side.
25 March 1975 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–0 Newcastle: Toshack's double closes the gap
John Toshack scored twice and Terry McDermott struck against his former club as Liverpool moved within a point of leaders Everton. Kevin Keegan had opened the scoring after seven minutes.
1975–76
8 articles
Explore 1975–76 26 August 1975 · First Division · Elland Road
Leeds United 0–3 Liverpool: Callaghan's late double settles Elland Road
Ray Kennedy put Liverpool ahead before Ian Callaghan scored twice in the closing minutes, securing their first away victory of the new league season.
13 December 1975 · First Division · White Hart Lane
Tottenham Hotspur 0–4 Liverpool: four scorers end the league wait
Kevin Keegan's goal before half-time opened the way for Jimmy Case, Phil Neal and Steve Heighway as Liverpool returned to winning form in the league.
10 January 1976 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–3 Ipswich Town: three leads, three replies
Kevin Keegan scored twice and Jimmy Case restored Liverpool's lead late on, but Trevor Whymark's second goal earned Ipswich a draw at Anfield.
3 April 1976 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 1–0 Everton: Fairclough's run settles the derby
David Fairclough came off the bench to score a remarkable late solo winner against Everton, securing two valuable points in Liverpool's pursuit of the championship.
17 April 1976 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–3 Stoke City: five scorers in an Easter victory
Liverpool recovered from conceding first to beat Stoke City in an eight-goal match, with five different scorers contributing to a crucial Easter Saturday win.
19 April 1976 · First Division · Maine Road
Manchester City 0–3 Liverpool: Fairclough finishes a perfect Easter
David Fairclough helped create Steve Heighway's opener before scoring twice late on at Maine Road, giving Liverpool a second Easter victory and keeping them ahead in the title race.
4 May 1976 · First Division · Molineux
Wolves 1–3 Liverpool: late goals settle the championship
Kevin Keegan, John Toshack and Ray Kennedy scored in the closing stages at Molineux as Liverpool overtook Queens Park Rangers to win the league.
19 May 1976 · UEFA Cup final second leg · Olympic Stadium, Bruges
Club Brugge 1–1 Liverpool: Keegan's reply completes the double
Kevin Keegan answered Raoul Lambert's early penalty as Liverpool secured a 4–3 aggregate victory and added the UEFA Cup to their league championship.
1976–77
4 articles
Explore 1976–77 11 September 1976 · First Division · Baseball Ground
Derby County 2–3 Liverpool: Keegan completes the recovery
Liverpool recovered from a half-time deficit at Derby, with John Toshack equalising before Kevin Keegan scored the winner ten minutes from time.
2 April 1977 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–1 Leeds United: Fairclough makes his mark from the start
David Fairclough won a penalty and headed Liverpool's second goal as a 3–1 victory over Leeds strengthened the league title challenge.
30 April 1977 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–1 Ipswich Town: Kennedy and Keegan break the deadlock
Two second-half goals put Liverpool beyond Ipswich at Anfield and strengthened their position at the top of the First Division.
14 May 1977 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 0–0 West Ham United: the point that secured a tenth title
A goalless draw with West Ham took Liverpool beyond Manchester City's reach and confirmed a second successive League championship.
1977–78
2 articles
Explore 1977–78 20 August 1977 · First Division · Ayresome Park
Middlesbrough 1–1 Liverpool: Dalglish scores on his league debut
Kenny Dalglish scored seven minutes into his first league appearance for Liverpool, but David Armstrong earned Middlesbrough a draw.
27 August 1977 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–0 West Bromwich Albion: Dalglish makes it three in three
Kenny Dalglish scored for the third successive league game before late goals from Steve Heighway and Jimmy Case completed Liverpool's victory.
1978–79
7 articles
Explore 1978–79 22 August 1978 · First Division · Portman Road
Ipswich Town 0–3 Liverpool: Dalglish doubles up at Portman Road
Graeme Souness opened the scoring and Kenny Dalglish added two as Liverpool made it two league wins from two at the start of 1978–79.
26 August 1978 · First Division · Maine Road
Manchester City 1–4 Liverpool: Souness scores twice at Maine Road
Liverpool answered Brian Kidd's equaliser with three more goals to complete a third successive league win at the start of the season.
14 October 1978 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–0 Derby County: Kennedy and Dalglish score twice
Four second-half goals completed Liverpool's ninth league win in ten matches, with Ray Kennedy and Kenny Dalglish each scoring twice against Derby.
26 December 1978 · First Division · Old Trafford
Manchester United 0–3 Liverpool: Fairclough crowns Boxing Day win
Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case established a first-half lead before David Fairclough marked his first league start of the season with Liverpool's third.
21 February 1979 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 6–0 Norwich City: three goals after the interval settle it
Kenny Dalglish and David Johnson scored twice each as Liverpool turned a narrow half-time lead into a six-goal victory over Norwich.
8 May 1979 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–0 Aston Villa: an eleventh league title at Anfield
Alan Kennedy scored after 47 seconds as Liverpool beat Aston Villa to secure the championship with two matches remaining.
17 May 1979 · First Division · Elland Road
Leeds United 0–3 Liverpool: champions finish on 68 points
David Johnson scored twice at Elland Road as Liverpool completed their league season with 30 wins, 68 points and only 16 goals conceded.
1979–80
4 articles
Explore 1979–80 27 October 1979 · First Division · Maine Road
Manchester City 0–4 Liverpool: Dalglish ends City’s unbeaten run
Kenny Dalglish scored twice as Liverpool ended Manchester City's six-match unbeaten league run with four goals at Maine Road.
26 December 1979 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United: Boxing Day separation
Alan Hansen and David Johnson scored as Liverpool beat their nearest challengers to open a two-point lead at the top of the First Division.
1 March 1980 · First Division · Goodison Park
Everton 1–2 Liverpool: victory on the day Dixie Dean died
David Johnson and Phil Neal gave Liverpool a winning lead at Goodison Park, where Everton great Dixie Dean died while attending the derby.
3 May 1980 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–1 Aston Villa: Cohen scores at both ends as the title is secured
Avi Cohen recovered from an own goal to restore Liverpool’s lead, and David Johnson scored twice as the champions retained the league title.
1981–82
6 articles
Explore 1981–82 7 November 1981 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–1 Everton: Dalglish strikes twice after half-time
Kenny Dalglish scored twice in five minutes after the interval, before Ian Rush added his first Merseyside derby goal.
26 December 1981 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 1–3 Manchester City: Boxing Day defeat precedes a change of captain
Manchester City punished Liverpool’s defensive errors at Anfield, leaving them 12th before Bob Paisley handed the captaincy to Graeme Souness.
27 March 1982 · First Division · Goodison Park
Everton 1–3 Liverpool: midfield goals settle the derby
Ronnie Whelan, Graeme Souness and Craig Johnston scored as Liverpool moved into third place with victory at Goodison Park.
7 April 1982 · First Division · Old Trafford
Manchester United 0–1 Liverpool: Grobbelaar saves, Johnston scores
Bruce Grobbelaar saved an early Frank Stapleton penalty before Craig Johnston scored the only goal at Old Trafford.
10 April 1982 · First Division · Maine Road
Manchester City 0–5 Liverpool: five scorers extend the lead
Liverpool followed victory at Old Trafford with five goals at Maine Road and moved five points clear of Ipswich Town.
3 May 1982 · First Division · White Hart Lane
Tottenham 2–2 Liverpool: Dalglish recovers a point
Two goals from Kenny Dalglish brought Liverpool back from 2–0 down at White Hart Lane as their eleven-match winning run ended.
1982–83
5 articles
Explore 1982–83 7 September 1982 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–3 Nottingham Forest: Souness and Rush rescue the points
David Hodgson scored twice, but Liverpool needed late goals from Graeme Souness and Ian Rush to beat Nottingham Forest.
11 September 1982 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–3 Luton Town: three goalkeepers and two comebacks
Liverpool scored against three different Luton goalkeepers but needed Craig Johnston’s equaliser to take a point at Anfield.
6 November 1982 · First Division · Goodison Park
Everton 0–5 Liverpool: Rush scores four at Goodison
Ian Rush scored four and Mark Lawrenson added the other as Liverpool overwhelmed Everton, who lost Glenn Keeley to a first-half dismissal.
27 December 1982 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–2 Manchester City: Dalglish scores three and makes another
Kenny Dalglish scored a hat-trick and set up Ian Rush as Liverpool beat Manchester City 5–2 at Anfield.
7 May 1983 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 1–1 Aston Villa: Johnston rescues Paisley’s Anfield farewell
Craig Johnston’s late equaliser denied Aston Villa victory in Bob Paisley’s final home league match as Liverpool manager.
1983–84
4 articles
Explore 1983–84 10 September 1983 · First Division · Highbury
Arsenal 0–2 Liverpool: Dalglish finishes the job at Highbury
Craig Johnston’s opener and Kenny Dalglish’s curling second-half goal kept Liverpool unbeaten through five league games under Joe Fagan.
29 October 1983 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 6–0 Luton Town: Rush scores five at Anfield
Ian Rush scored a first-half hat-trick and two more after the interval as Liverpool overwhelmed Luton Town.
6 November 1983 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–0 Everton: derby victory takes Liverpool top
Ian Rush, Michael Robinson and Steve Nicol scored as Liverpool beat Everton to move above Manchester United.
7 April 1984 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 6–0 West Ham: four goals before the half-hour
Ian Rush and Graeme Souness scored twice each as Liverpool beat West Ham 6–0 to remain two points clear at the top.
1984–85
1 article
Explore 1984–85 20 October 1984 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 0–1 Everton: Sharp’s volley ends the Anfield wait
Graeme Sharp’s early second-half volley gave Everton their first Anfield victory for 14 years and left Liverpool seventeenth.
1985–86
7 articles
Explore 1985–86 17 August 1985 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Arsenal: Dalglish's first competitive match in charge
Ronnie Whelan and Steve Nicol scored as Kenny Dalglish began his competitive career as Liverpool player-manager with victory over Arsenal.
21 September 1985
Liverpool’s Manager Scored After 21 Seconds at Goodison
Kenny Dalglish picked himself for the Merseyside derby. Twenty-one seconds later, Liverpool’s player-manager had put them ahead at Goodison Park.
28 September 1985 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–1 Tottenham: Mølby's two penalties
Jan Mølby converted two second-half penalties after Ian Rush restored Liverpool's lead against Tottenham at Anfield.
22 February 1986 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 0–2 Everton: eight points behind
Late goals from Kevin Ratcliffe and Gary Lineker left Liverpool eight points behind Everton with twelve league matches remaining.
8 March 1986 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–1 QPR: Dalglish returns after the cup defeat
Steve McMahon scored twice as Liverpool beat QPR three days after their League Cup elimination, with Kenny Dalglish back in the side.
22 March 1986
Dalglish creates as Liverpool put six past Oxford
Kenny Dalglish supplied three goals in a 6–0 win over Oxford that brought Liverpool level on points with Everton.
3 May 1986
Dalglish scores the goal that brings Liverpool the title
Kenny Dalglish’s volley at Chelsea secured Liverpool’s 16th league title in his first season as player-manager.
1986–87
3 articles
Explore 1986–87 1 November 1986 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 6–2 Norwich: Walsh scores three and makes two
Paul Walsh scored a hat-trick and supplied both Ian Rush goals as Liverpool put six past Norwich at Anfield.
14 February 1987
Rush’s hat-trick keeps Liverpool ahead of Leicester
Ian Rush scored three times as Liverpool held off Leicester City in a seven-goal match at Anfield.
25 April 1987
Rush equals Dean’s derby record as Liverpool beat Everton
Two Ian Rush goals secured a 3–1 Anfield victory and brought him level with Dixie Dean on 19 goals in Merseyside derbies.
1987–88
10 articles
Explore 1987–88 15 August 1987
Nicol’s late header wins the day for Liverpool’s new attack
John Barnes and Peter Beardsley helped create an early goal on their competitive debuts before Steve Nicol settled Liverpool’s opening match at Arsenal.
1987-88
John Barnes and the attack Dalglish built without Ian Rush
Liverpool lost their most potent goalscorer in the summer of 1987 and somehow became more potent. John Barnes was at the centre of the attack Kenny Dalglish built without Ian Rush.
20 September 1987
Steve Nicol’s hat-trick dismantles Newcastle
Selected on the right of midfield, Steve Nicol scored a hat-trick as Liverpool won 4–1 at St James’ Park and continued their unbeaten start to 1987–88.
17 October 1987
Barnes scores twice as Liverpool take QPR’s place at the top
John Barnes created Craig Johnston’s opener and scored twice as Liverpool beat the First Division leaders 4–0 at Anfield.
1 November 1987 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 2–0 Everton: Barnes creates the derby breakthrough
John Barnes helped create goals for Steve McMahon and Peter Beardsley as Liverpool recovered from their midweek derby defeat.
28 December 1987 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–0 Newcastle: Aldridge scores twice to close the year
John Aldridge scored twice after the interval as Liverpool closed the year ten points clear with their unbeaten league start intact.
1 January 1988 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 4–0 Coventry: Beardsley opens the year with two goals
Peter Beardsley scored twice and helped create Ray Houghton’s goal as Liverpool moved thirteen points clear.
20 March 1988 · First Division · Goodison Park
Everton 1–0 Liverpool: Clarke ends the unbeaten league start
Wayne Clarke’s early goal ended Liverpool’s unbeaten league start at 29 matches despite sustained pressure at Goodison.
4 April 1988 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 3–3 Manchester United: a two-goal lead lost
Liverpool led 3–1 against ten men, but Bryan Robson and Gordon Strachan brought Manchester United level at Anfield.
13 April 1988 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–0 Nottingham Forest: five goals at Anfield
John Aldridge scored twice and John Barnes helped create two goals as Liverpool beat Forest for the second time in five days.
1988–89
5 articles
Explore 1988–89 3 September 1988
Mølby’s penalty ends United’s unbeaten league run at Anfield
John Barnes won the penalty and Jan Mølby converted it as Liverpool beat Manchester United at Anfield in the league for the first time since 1979.
1 January 1989
Liverpool’s lead disappears in seven minutes at Old Trafford
John Barnes put Liverpool ahead, but Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and Russell Beardsmore turned the New Year’s Day match in Manchester United’s favour.
3 May 1989
Liverpool return to competitive football at Goodison
Eighteen days after Hillsborough, Liverpool resumed their league programme with a goalless draw at Everton, preceded by a shared act of remembrance.
23 May 1989 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 5–1 West Ham: four goals set up the title decider
Ray Houghton scored twice as Liverpool pulled away from West Ham and established the terms for their final match against Arsenal.
26 May 1989 · First Division · Anfield
Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal: Thomas decides the championship
Michael Thomas’s stoppage-time goal gave Arsenal the two-goal victory they required and denied Liverpool the Double.
1989–90
7 articles
Explore 1989–90 12 September 1989
Liverpool 9–0 Crystal Palace: nine goals and a farewell to Aldridge
Nine goals, eight scorers, and a farewell to John Aldridge. Nobody at Anfield that night knew they were watching the end of something.
23 September 1989
Rush’s double takes Liverpool above Everton
Peter Beardsley helped create all three goals as Liverpool came from behind to win at Goodison Park and replace Everton at the top.
26 November 1989
Barnes’s free-kick helps Liverpool reclaim first place
Steve McMahon and John Barnes scored as Liverpool beat Arsenal 2–1 at Anfield, six months after the title decider.
16 December 1989
Liverpool score five at Stamford Bridge
Two goals in the opening five minutes set Liverpool on their way to a 5–2 victory over Chelsea.
3 February 1990
Barnes and Beardsley complete Liverpool’s league double over Everton
First-half goals from John Barnes and Peter Beardsley gave Liverpool a 2–1 derby victory at Anfield.
28 April 1990
Liverpool beat QPR and wait for confirmation of title eighteen
Ian Rush and John Barnes overturned QPR’s lead at Anfield, before Aston Villa’s draw confirmed Liverpool as champions with two matches remaining.
5 May 1990
Barnes scores three as Liverpool finish with six at Coventry
John Barnes’s hat-trick and two goals from Ronny Rosenthal helped Liverpool recover from an early deficit to finish their championship season with a 6–1 win.
Career and wider history
1 article
27 May 1981
Phil Thompson lived the life every Liverpool supporter imagines
A Kirkby lad who stood on the Kop lifted the European Cup as Liverpool's captain. Almost nobody talks about him.