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.
Liverpool history · People
John Barnes
Explore John Barnes through the original writing.
As a player
1987–88
11 articles
Explore 1987–88 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.
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.
21 February 1988 · FA Cup fifth round · Goodison Park
Everton 0–1 Liverpool: Houghton heads the cup winner
Ray Houghton’s late header settled a fifth-round derby in which Everton had denied Liverpool room to play.
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.
9 April 1988 · FA Cup semi-final · Hillsborough
Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest: Aldridge sends Liverpool to Wembley
John Aldridge scored twice from chances made by John Barnes as Liverpool overcame Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough.
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.
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.
1988–89
6 articles
Explore 1988–89 20 August 1988 · Charity Shield · Wembley
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.
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.
7 May 1989 · FA Cup semi-final · Old Trafford
Liverpool 3–1 Nottingham Forest: Aldridge takes Liverpool to Wembley
John Aldridge scored twice in the rescheduled semi-final as Liverpool earned an FA Cup final against Everton.
20 May 1989 · FA Cup final · Wembley
Liverpool 3–2 Everton: Rush settles the final in extra time
Ian Rush and Stuart McCall each scored twice after coming off the bench, but Rush’s header won the FA Cup for Liverpool.
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.
1989–90
8 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.
9 January 1990
Rush scores three as Liverpool settle the Swansea replay
Three days after being held at the Vetch Field, Liverpool beat Swansea City 8–0 at Anfield in the FA Cup.
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.
8 April 1990
Palace overturn Liverpool’s late lead to reach Wembley
Liverpool led 3–2 late in normal time, but Andy Gray’s equaliser and Alan Pardew’s extra-time header ended their defence of the FA Cup.
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.