In May 1984, we clinched the European Cup for a fourth time, and became the first English side to complete a treble, having already claimed the title and League Cup that season. This was even more remarkable as the game was played in Roma's own Stadio Olimpico.
Phil Neal put us ahead before Roberto Pruzzo equalised for Roma before half-time. The game ended 1-1 after extra-time, and so the cup was to be decided with a penalty shoot-out. Steve Nicol missed our first kick, but his failure was matched by two Italians, before Bruce Grobbelaar's wobbly legs helped put off a third kicker, Ciccio Graziani. Alan Kennedy stepped to take the decisive spot kick, as we won the big cup right in the heart of the lions' den. Phil Neal, Graeme Souness (in his final reds appearance) and Ian Rush had been our other successful penalty takers.
Back again in the UEFA Cup…
Michael Owen scored twice at the Stadio Olimpico in February 2001 to give us a 2-0 victory in the first leg of our Fourth Round tie – cue several songs! His second was our 200th goal since Gérard Houllier took sole control.
A week later, we lost the return 1-0, although we still progressed to the Quarter-finals in a cauldron of noise. Michael Owen missed his fifth penalty in eleven attempts, and who could forget the penalty/corner incident when the ball struck Markus Babbel in the area? Fortunately, Spanish referee Jose Maria Garcia Aranda made the right decision!
Champions League joy for Ged…
Our second trip in successive seasons to Rome resulted in a goalless draw in December 2001. Our second meeting in that second group phase came the following March, and was a famous night in Anfield history, as we won 2-0 at Anfield to qualify for the Quarter-finals of the Champions League in our first season in the current format of the competition. Jari Litmanen's penalty and an Emile Heskey header ensured we did not miss the injured Michael Owen or suspended Didi Hamann. The night was made extra special by the return of Gérard Houllier to Anfield after heart surgery.
