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.
1985–1991First spell
Kenny Dalglish
A league and FA Cup double as player-manager, followed by the exhilarating Barnes, Beardsley and Aldridge side. Dalglish delivered three league titles in his first spell.
The 1987–88 champions gave Liverpool some of their most celebrated attacking football. Hillsborough in 1989 brought devastating loss to the club and its community. Liverpool won another title in 1990, before Dalglish resigned in February 1991.
Major honours
- First Division
- Won 31985–86 · 1987–88 · 1989–90
- FA Cup
- Won 21986 · 1989
Also: Football League Super Cup, 1986.
Key players
- John Barnes
- Peter Beardsley
- John Aldridge
- Ian Rush
- Alan Hansen
- Jan Mølby
Original writing · Denny Regan
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22 February 1986 · First Division · Anfield
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10 May 1986
Rush and Mølby lead Liverpool to the Double
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Rush equals Dean’s derby record as Liverpool beat Everton
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Barnes scores twice as Liverpool take QPR’s place at the top
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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.
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Rush’s extra-time double takes Liverpool to Wembley
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Jan Mølby converted two second-half penalties after Ian Rush restored Liverpool's lead against Tottenham at Anfield.
23 May 1989 · First Division · Anfield
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Ray Houghton scored twice as Liverpool pulled away from West Ham and established the terms for their final match against Arsenal.
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Liverpool 2–1 Wimbledon: Aldridge wins the Charity Shield
John Barnes created both goals for John Aldridge as Liverpool came from behind to beat Wimbledon at Wembley.
14 May 1988 · FA Cup final · Wembley
Liverpool 0–1 Wimbledon: Beasant and Sanchez deny the Double
Lawrie Sanchez headed the winner and Dave Beasant saved John Aldridge’s penalty as Wimbledon beat the league champions at Wembley.
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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.
8 April 1990
Palace overturn Liverpool’s late lead to reach Wembley
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Mølby rescues Liverpool before Rush wins the Watford replay
A late Jan Mølby penalty forced extra time at Watford, where Ian Rush secured Liverpool’s place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
23 September 1986
McMahon scores four as Liverpool put ten past Fulham
Steve McMahon scored four and missed a penalty as Liverpool beat Fulham 10–0 in a League Cup first leg at Anfield.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sources & historical notes
Facts checked 7 September 2026. Key players are an editorial selection.
The club records the resignation announcement on 22 February 1991; LFChistory lists contract expiry as 21 February. Moran’s caretaker period begins on 22 February.
Major honours include the top-flight league, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup / Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Promotion and the Football League Super Cup are noted separately; Charity/Community Shields are excluded.
- Liverpool FC · Kenny Dalglish Confidence: high. Managerial years, era overview and honours.
- LFChistory · Kenny Dalglish Confidence: high. Appointment, departure and historical context.
- Liverpool FC · honours Confidence: high. Competition winners and seasons; counts exclude Charity/Community Shields from major honours.
- Liverpool FC · David Speedie Confidence: high. Dalglish resignation announced 22 February 1991.