ACCORDING to the always excellent LFCHistory.Net, Liverpool FC has scored 9,408 goals in 5,456 competitive matches. So for a goal to live long in the memory for a lot of Reds, it has to be a bit special. This was a bit special.
On this day 31 years ago, after a dour draw at Wembley the previous Sunday, Liverpool went head to head with Everton for a second time to decide the winners of the 1984 Milk Cup. Fifty two thousand reds and blues were at Maine Road on a Wednesday night to witness that special goal — from the boot of Liverpool captain Souness.
After mis-controlling a pass from Phil Neal, the ball bounced invitingly for the Scot and he cracked a “bounce volley” (copyright Mike Nevin) past Neville Southall in the Everton goal. The captain then sets off on that now famous run, chest stuck out, pushing aside team-mates. It was enough to win a first major trophy for Joe Fagan.
The gaffer told the Liverpool Echo: “Winning a trophy is a manager’s dream and I’ve been incredibly lucky to achieve it quicker than many other people. Never forget it was Bob Paisley’s era that brought the players here. To be honest, I felt a bit embarrassed when they said they wanted to win something for me.
“Our club has gone on for so many years that winning trophies has become a tradition. I wouldn’t like to break it.”
Souness said: “I mis-controlled it and had my back to goal but flashed a leg at it and it just dipped in front of Everton keeper Neville Southall before going in. It was a bit ad hoc when we were presented with the trophy. A fan got in the way between me and Bruce Grobbelaar as I passed it down the line but it was all good fun.”
LIVERPOOL: Grobbelaar, Neal, Kennedy, Lawrenson, Whelan, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Rush, Johnston, Souness (c).
Read: More about the 84 Merseyside Cup Final from Neil Scott.
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Pic: PA Images
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I’m with Mike: Souness was the best midfielder I’ve seen in a red shirt, indeed the finest British midfielder of his generation. As a supporter you felt invincible with Souey leading from the front, God knows how opponents and team mates felt. A born leader, one we’ve never adequately replaced. Souness, Hansen, Lawrenson and Kenny in the same team: what days!
Great memories! I have to agree with puffinland, Souness was without equal. He had everything apart from pace, which he didn’t need anyway. I have never seen a player, Liverpool FC or opposition, command a midfield like Souness. He simply exuded authority, but backed up with skill and ‘hardness’. When things got tough, which they did even for Liverpool’s greatest sides, you could always rely on Souness to step up and face the opposition head on. Oh for a player like him today! He ranks as number 2 in my all time Liverpool players – behind Dalglish and ahead of Barnes – he was that good.