Long before miracles were completed in Istanbul Liverpool Football Club had not merely a tradition but an expectation that no game was ever lost and no result ever certain until the referee blew his whistle. No prize ever out of reach until mathematically certain.
Often clubs either playing host to The Reds or visiting Anfield would hold out for 80 minutes but fall just short by switching off as the line approached assuming the job was all but done while Liverpool plugged away. More often than not finding a route through as a direct result of the opposition already having an eye on the sanctity of their changing room - even the next and often more winnable game than an encounter with The Reds.
Late goals which won games or at the very least earned a point were not matters of legend or exaggerated tales. It all happened as did some superb returns from the brink of humiliation let alone defeat. One of the earliest cases came at Anfield in December 1909 when Newcastle United established a 5-2 lead at the break. Jimmy Howie headed pat Sam Hardy in the first minute and though James Stewart managed a quick equaliser Bert Shepherd notched four times. Liverpool were far from outclassed but enjoyed less luck going forward until the resumption. Jack Parkinson who scored the second pulled another back before former Magpie Ronald Orr managed a brace and drew the scores level at 5-5. Arthur Goddard hit the winner and set the seal on a remarkable game.
Liverpool had won a few league titles by that stage in their history but were not a force in the game when compared to others at the time. They may not have been able to hint just what the club may become in the future but such a turnaround scared other clubs and it was not isolated.
Quickly turning the clock forward to the first leg of the 1976 UEFA Cup final played at Anfield Liverpool were two down to FC Bruges within a dozen minutes and in truth didn‘t look like they could pull so much as a goal back until the third quarter of the game. Backed by a roaring Kop who proved Bill Shankly’s adage that they could suck a ball in Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case who came on for John Toshack netted to level before Kevin Keegan completed an unlikely looking victory with a penalty. All three goals were scored in a five minute spell.
Over in Belgium for the second leg Bruges pulled the aggregate scores level with another early strike soon after and played out more than an hour without further scares to win the trophy for the second time in four seasons.
May 1985 and though Everton had secured the league title and The Reds were keen to complete the league programme and therefore focus on the upcoming European Cup final giving Watford a 2-0 start at home wasn’t in the script. Just 24 hours before an FA Cup final which could see Everton create history and become the first club to win the double as well as a European trophy it was a bitter pill for most in the crowd to swallow. Juventus manager Giovanni Trapatonni was at Anfield casting an eye over the opposition in preparation for the game in Brussels. He witnessed not only a remarkable but high scoring game and will have been impressed by Ian Rush and for the visitors John Barnes. It was rumoured that a number of Italian clubs had run the rule over the Watford winger while Rush was said to be a direct target for the side known as the Old Lady of Turin who were prepared to offer up to £4 million.
Watford took a deserved lead but it was gifted by Jim Beglin putting through his own net after John Barnes had him turned in knots. Colin West headed the second for the visitors after a cross from Barnes. That advantage was held until half-time. Rush and Kenny Dalglish were instrumental in a thrilling comeback. Rush pulled one back shortly after the resumption then his partner equalised five minutes later. In the next attack Wilf Rostron brought Steve Nicol down. John Wark slotted the penalty home to put The Reds ahead for the first time but John Barnes levelled with a sublime free-kick. It seemed a share of the points was in the cards but Rush struck again when the ball next went into The Hornet’s half pouncing on a blocked shot from Dalglish nine minutes from time.
The list is far from exhaustive though there was of course that most eye-catching of returns from the brink in that 2005 Champions league final. Even when down to a team on fire the towel was never thrown in and the fans believed a comeback was at least a possibility. To a lesser extent the big occasion brought out the same instinct the following season in the FA Cup final.
Regardless of the odds Liverpool fans still believe and still harbour that faith that their team can dig itself out and emerge triumphant. It was no different against Reading at the weekend when the score hit 3-1 nor on the evening of 24 October 2007 after defeat at the home of Besiktas’ Inonu Stadium which had witnessed a first ever win over an English club.
There was to be no resurgence at the Madejski and with just one point from the opening three games Rafa Benitez’s men were staring at the very real prospect of exiting the Champions League at the group phase. There was no margin for error the games which remained all had to be won and maximum points were taken with 16 goals scored in the process.
Unlike that situation two years ago Liverpool are relying heavily on others but there could be one special night at Anfield in a fortnight’s time.
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