Liverpool's Greatest European Nights: Iconic Matches
Ask any Liverpool fan about "European nights at Anfield" and settle in, because this'll take a while. With six European Cups and three UEFA Cups, Liverpool are England's most successful club in Europe. Here's our selection of the nights that built that reputation. The facts are verified; the selection is our opinion.
How Liverpool became a European club
Under Bill Shankly, Liverpool played their first European Cup in 1964–65, reaching the semi-final against Inter. They won the UEFA Cup in 1973. Bob Paisley turned them into European champions, with Joe Fagan and later Rafael Benítez and Jürgen Klopp adding more. For the wider story, read our history of Liverpool FC.
4 May 1965: Liverpool 3-1 Inter (European Cup semi-final, first leg)
The first great European night at Anfield. Days after winning their first FA Cup, Liverpool beat Inter, the reigning European champions, 3-1. Inter won the second leg 3-0 in Milan, amid lasting controversy, and went through. But this was the night Anfield's European reputation began.
16 March 1977: Liverpool 3-1 Saint-Étienne (quarter-final, second leg)
Liverpool trailed 1-0 from the first leg against the 1976 finalists. At Anfield, substitute David Fairclough scored late to send them through 3-2 on aggregate. Many fans of that generation still call it the greatest Anfield night of all.
25 May 1977: Liverpool 3-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach (final, Rome)
Liverpool's first European Cup, won at the Stadio Olimpico with goals from Terry McDermott, Tommy Smith and a Phil Neal penalty. Thousands of fans travelled to Rome. Liverpool retained the trophy at Wembley in 1978 against Club Brugge, with Kenny Dalglish scoring the winner.
30 May 1984: Liverpool 1-1 Roma, Liverpool win on penalties (final, Rome)
Liverpool won their fourth European Cup in Roma's own stadium. Bruce Grobbelaar's wobbly-legs routine in the shoot-out became famous, and Alan Kennedy scored the winning penalty.
16 May 2001: Liverpool 5-4 Alavés (UEFA Cup final, Dortmund)
A ridiculous final. Liverpool won it with a golden goal in extra time, an own goal by Delfí Geli. Gérard Houllier's side completed a cup treble with the League Cup and FA Cup that season.
8 December 2004: Liverpool 3-1 Olympiacos (group stage)
Liverpool needed to win by two goals to reach the knockout rounds. They were 1-0 down at half-time. Florent Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor scored, then Steven Gerrard smashed in a late volley from the edge of the area. Without that goal, there's no Istanbul.
25 May 2005: Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, Liverpool win on penalties (final, Istanbul)
Milan led 3-0 at half-time. In about six minutes of the second half, Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso scored to make it 3-3. Jerzy Dudek's double save from Andriy Shevchenko in extra time, then his save in the shoot-out, won Liverpool their fifth European Cup. Most people call it the greatest comeback in a European final. That's opinion, but it's a very popular one.
7 May 2019: Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (semi-final, second leg)
Barcelona, with Lionel Messi, had won the first leg 3-0. Liverpool were without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice each. Trent Alexander-Arnold's quickly taken corner for Origi's fourth, while Barcelona's defenders were switching off, is one of the smartest moments in Champions League history. Liverpool went through 4-3 on aggregate.
1 June 2019: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool (final, Madrid)
In the second all-English final, Salah scored a second-minute penalty and Origi added the second late on. It gave Liverpool their sixth European Cup, under Jürgen Klopp, and set up the 2019–20 Premier League title.
Why Anfield is different
European nights at Anfield mean floodlights, flags on the Kop, "You'll Never Walk Alone" and a crowd that seems to believe the impossible is always available. Opposing players regularly talk about it. That's not a statistic, but anyone who's been will understand.
Timeline
| Date | Match / trophy |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 3-1 vs Inter in the first great Anfield European night |
| 1973 | First UEFA Cup |
| 1977 | Fairclough vs Saint-Étienne; first European Cup in Rome |
| 1978 | Second European Cup, at Wembley |
| 1981 | Third European Cup, vs Real Madrid in Paris |
| 1984 | Fourth European Cup, on penalties in Rome |
| 2001 | 5-4 vs Alavés in the UEFA Cup final |
| 2005 | Istanbul comeback vs AC Milan |
| 2019 | 4-0 vs Barcelona; sixth European Cup in Madrid |
Your own European night
If the group fancies a big night at Anfield or a trip abroad to follow a team in Europe, our Champions League page, Liverpool trips page and Football Hub explain how we can help. Fixtures depend on the draw and tickets on availability, all confirmed in your written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many European Cups have Liverpool won?
Six: 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 and 2019.
What was the score in the 2005 Istanbul final?
Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan after extra time; Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties.
How did Liverpool beat Barcelona in 2019?
They lost the first leg 3-0, then won 4-0 at Anfield to go through 4-3 on aggregate.
Who scored the winning goal against Saint-Étienne in 1977?
Substitute David Fairclough, late in the second leg at Anfield.
Sources and further reading
Fancy seeing it live? Tickets and packages are subject to availability and confirmation in your written quote. We don't arrange flights.