A comeback at Craven Cottage, a derby victory for Bob Paisley’s champions and a Salah winner against City — 16 October has given Liverpool supporters plenty to remember.
There was also an emotional European victory while Gérard Houllier recovered from heart surgery, and an afternoon at Watford when Roberto Firmino took home the match ball but Mohamed Salah threatened to steal the show.
2004: Two-nil down, four-two up
At half-time at Craven Cottage, Liverpool’s search for a first away league win under Rafael Benítez looked set to continue.
Luis Boa Morte had scored twice in six minutes, Fulham led 2-0 and the Reds needed something to change. Benítez’s answer was to replace Salif Diao with Xabi Alonso.
The game turned.
Five minutes after the restart, Milan Baroš’s effort looped into the net off Zat Knight for an own goal. Baroš then supplied the equaliser himself, following up after Edwin van der Sar had saved from Luis García.
Josemi’s dismissal for a second booking threatened to undo the recovery, but Liverpool went ahead just two minutes later. Alonso’s free-kick deflected off Papa Bouba Diop and beat Van der Sar for his first Liverpool goal.
Then came Igor.
Introduced in stoppage time, Biscan had barely joined the action before side-footing home the fourth from the edge of the area. Liverpool’s 4,000th league match, by the official count, had produced a comeback worth celebrating — and an unlikely scorer to finish it.
Seven months later, several of those same players would be involved in an even more remarkable recovery in Istanbul.
2022: Alisson to Salah. One-nil.
One long kick, one superb turn and one cool finish.
Mohamed Salah settled a fiercely contested meeting with Manchester City at Anfield, handing the visitors their first Premier League defeat of the season.
Alisson launched the ball forward, Salah outmanoeuvred João Cancelo and raced clear to beat Ederson in the 76th minute.
City had earlier seen a Phil Foden goal disallowed following a VAR review for Erling Haaland’s foul on Fabinho. Jürgen Klopp was later sent off after protesting a challenge on Salah that went unpunished.
But the decisive contribution belonged to Alisson and Salah. Four days after his rapid hat-trick at Rangers, Salah had delivered again.
2001: A win for Houllier
Football had taken a back seat three days earlier when Gérard Houllier was taken ill during the Leeds game at Anfield and required emergency heart surgery.
With their manager recovering in hospital, Liverpool travelled to face Dynamo Kyiv under Phil Thompson.
Danny Murphy put the Reds ahead shortly before half-time, finishing from Steven Gerrard’s pass. Tiberiu Ghioane equalised, but Gerrard restored Liverpool’s lead with a shot that deflected off Goran Gavrancic.
There was one final scare when Dynamo had a late goal ruled out for offside, before Liverpool could celebrate becoming the first English side to win in Kyiv.
It was a significant European result, achieved in circumstances that made it mean considerably more than three points.
2021: Bobby’s hat-trick, Mo’s magic
Claudio Ranieri’s first match as Watford manager ended with Liverpool winning 5-0 at Vicarage Road.
Sadio Mané opened the scoring from a beautifully judged Salah pass, bringing up his 100th Premier League goal. Firmino added the second from James Milner’s low delivery and was on hand again early in the second half to make it three.
Then Salah produced the afternoon’s outstanding moment.
Surrounded by Watford defenders, he worked his way into shooting space with a series of close touches before curling a left-footed finish into the far corner.
Firmino completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, turning in Neco Williams’ delivery to round off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon for the travelling Reds.
The lunchtime victory also briefly took Liverpool top of the Premier League.
1976: Derby business done by half-time
Fifty years ago today, Bob Paisley’s reigning champions beat Everton 3-1 in front of 55,141 at Anfield.
Steve Heighway opened the scoring after seven minutes, Phil Neal added a penalty five minutes later and John Toshack made it 3-0 before the interval.
Martin Dobson pulled one back early in the second half, but Liverpool had already done the damage.
The Reds would finish the season by retaining the league title and winning the European Cup for the first time.
1999: Thompson settles it against Chelsea
David Thompson scored the only goal as Liverpool beat Chelsea 1-0 at Anfield.
The midfielder struck shortly after half-time, converting from close range after Steve Staunton’s free-kick fell his way.
Michael Owen missed a second-half penalty, leaving Liverpool with a slender advantage to protect. Chelsea finished with nine men following the dismissals of Marcel Desailly and Dennis Wise, and Houllier’s side secured the points.
1993: A late escape against Oldham
Graeme Souness’s side looked destined to lose after Darren Beckford put Oldham Athletic ahead at Anfield.
Instead, two goals in the final three minutes transformed the afternoon.
Robbie Fowler equalised before an Andy Barlow own goal completed the turnaround, giving Liverpool a 2-1 victory.
2002: Gerrard rescues a point for England
Steven Gerrard scored a fine equaliser as England twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier at St Mary’s.
David Beckham had cancelled out the visitors’ opener, but England fell behind again before Gerrard chested down a clearance and volleyed home from the edge of the area before half-time.
There were no further goals, leaving England with a frustrating home draw despite Gerrard’s spectacular contribution.
Birthday: Mateusz Musiałowski
Former Liverpool youngster Mateusz Musiałowski turns 23 today.
Born on 16 October 2003, the Polish attacking midfielder joined Liverpool from SMS Łódź in August 2020. His only senior appearance came as a substitute against Sparta Prague in the Europa League in March 2024.
He left Liverpool that summer and subsequently joined Omonia in Cyprus.
Also on this day
- 1897: Everton beat Liverpool 3-0 at Goodison Park.
- 1909: Sam Bowyer and Jimmy Stewart scored in a 2-1 win at Bradford City.
- 1920: Harry Chambers got the only goal at Sheffield United.
- 1926: Tommy Reid scored twice in a 3-2 defeat at The Wednesday.
- 1937: Liverpool lost 2-0 at Wolves.
- 1948: Cyril Done’s goal secured a 1-0 win at Birmingham City.
- 1954: Liverpool were beaten 2-0 at Stoke City in the Second Division.
- 1965: Roger Hunt and Ian Callaghan scored in a 2-0 Anfield win over Newcastle United.
- 1971: Emlyn Hughes, Steve Heighway and a Tommy Smith penalty earned a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest.
- 1974: Heighway and Ray Kennedy scored twice each as Liverpool beat Bristol City 4-0 in a League Cup third-round replay.
- 1982: Liverpool and Manchester United drew 0-0 at Anfield.