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The 1994–95 Liverpool F.C. season was the 103rd season in the club's existence, and their 33rd consecutive year in the top-flight. It was also the club's first full season under the management of Roy Evans, who had succeeded Graeme Souness halfway through 1993–94.
| 1994–95 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman |  David Moores | |||
| Manager | Roy Evans | |||
| Stadium | Anfield | |||
| FA Premier League | 4th | |||
| FA Cup | Sixth round | |||
| League Cup | Winners | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Robbie Fowler (25) All: Robbie Fowler (31) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 34,743 | |||
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The season saw Liverpool win the League Cup for a record fifth time, beating Bolton Wanderers 2–1 in the final at Wembley with two goals from Steve McManaman. They improved on last season's eighth-place finish to reach fourth place in the final table, their best final position in four years, although they never really looked like serious title contenders.
Early in the season, Evans bolstered his defence by signing John Scales from Wimbledon and Phil Babb from Coventry City. In attack, Robbie Fowler was top scorer with 25 goals in the league and 31 in all competitions, while the ageing Ian Rush continued to thrive with 12 in the league and 19 in all competitions.
Heading out of the Anfield exit door early in the season was midfielder Don Hutchison to West Ham United, while January saw exit of defender Steve Nicol to Notts County after 13 years at Anfield. The club suffered a tragedy on 2 January 1995 when 19-year-old midfielder Ian Frodsham, who was on a professional contract but had yet to play a first team game, died of cancer of the spine.
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First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserves and academy
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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In
| # | Pos | Player | From | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | GK |  Michael Stensgaard | Hvidovre IF | £400,000 | 1 June 1994 |
| 6 | DF |  Phil Babb | Coventry City | £3,600,000 | 1 September 1994 |
| 12 | DF | John Scales | Wimbledon | £3,500,000 | 2 September 1994 |
| 19 | MF | Mark Kennedy | Millwall | £1,500,000 | 21 March 1995 |
Out
| # | Pos | Player | To | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | DF | Julian Dicks | West Ham United | £300,000 | 20 May 1994 |
| 19 | DF | Torben Piechnik | AGF | Free | 1 June 1994 |
| 1 | GK |  Bruce Grobbelaar[notes 5] | Southampton | Free | 11 August 1994 |
| 6 | MF |  Don Hutchison | West Ham United | £1,500,000 | 30 August 1994 |
| 12 | MF | Ronnie Whelan | Southend United | Free | 9 September 1994 |
| 4 | DF | Steve Nicol | Notts County | Free | 20 January 1995 |
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Premier League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Manchester United | 42 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 77 | 28 | +49 | 88 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[a] |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 72 | 43 | +29 | 77 | |
| 4 | Liverpool | 42 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 65 | 37 | +28 | 74 | |
| 5 | Leeds United | 42 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 73 | |
| 6 | Newcastle United | 42 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 67 | 47 | +20 | 72 |
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
- Leeds United were rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.
Matches
| 20 August 1994 1 | Crystal Palace | 1–6 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Armstrong  49' |
Report | Mølby 12' (pen.) McManaman 14', 70' Fowler 45' Rush 60', 73' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 18,084 Referee: Robbie Hart (Darlington) |
| 28 August 1994 2 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Fowler 26', 29', 31' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 30,017 Referee: Alan Wilkie (Chester-le-Street) |
| 31 August 1994 3 | Southampton | 0–2 | Liverpool | Southampton |
| 19:30 | Report | Fowler 21' Barnes 78' |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,190 Referee: Martin Bodenham (Looe) |
| 10 September 1994 4 | Liverpool | 0–0 | West Ham United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Report | Cottee  54' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 30,907 Referee: Paul Danson (Leicester) |
| 17 September 1994 5 | Manchester United | 2–0 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| 15:00 | Kanchelskis 71' McClair 73' |
Report | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 43,740 Referee: Kelvin Morton (Suffolk) |
| 24 September 1994 6 | Newcastle United | 1–1 | Liverpool | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 15:00 | Lee 50' |
Report | Rush 70' |
Stadium: St. James' Park Attendance: 34,435 Referee: Philip Don |
| 1 October 1994 7 | Liverpool | 4–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Rush 51' McManaman 54', 86' Walker 66' (o.g.) |
Report | Nolan 33' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 31,493 Referee: Gary Willard (Worthing) |
| 8 October 1994 8 | Liverpool | 3–2 | Aston Villa | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Ruddock 20' Fowler 26', 57' |
Report | Whittingham 37' Staunton 90+1' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,158 Referee: Keith Burge (Tonypandy) |
| 15 October 1994 9 | Blackburn Rovers | 3–2 | Liverpool | Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Atkins 52' Sutton 57', 72' |
Report | Fowler 27' Barnes 59' |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 30,263 Referee: Brian Hill (Kettering) |
| 22 October 1994 10 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | McManaman 21' Fowler 35' Barnes 64' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 31,139 Referee: Peter Jones (Leicestershire) |
| 29 October 1994 11 | Ipswich Town | 1–3 | Liverpool | Ipswich |
| 15:00 | Paz 65' |
Report | Barnes 39' Fowler 56', 59' |
Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 22,513 Referee: Paul Durkin |
| 31 October 1994 (MNF) 12 | Queens Park Rangers | 2–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 20:00 | Sinclair 29' Ferdinand 85' |
Report | Barnes 66' |
Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 18,295 Referee: Terry Holbrook (West Midlands) |
| 5 November 1994 13 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Nottingham Forest | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 14' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 33,329 Referee: Joe Worrall (Warrington) |
| 9 November 1994 14 | Liverpool | 3–1 | Chelsea | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Fowler 9', 10' Ruddock 25' |
Report | J. Spencer 3' E. Johnsen  68' 72' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,855 Referee: Graham Poll (Tring) |
| 21 November 1994 (MNF) 15 | Everton | 2–0 | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| 20:00 | Ferguson 58' Rideout 90 A' |
Report | Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 39,866 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 26 November 1994 16 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 39' (pen.) |
Report | Ruddock 78' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 35,007 Referee: Steve Lodge (Barnsley) |
| 3 December 1994 17 | Coventry City | 1–1 | Liverpool | Coventry |
| 15:00 | Flynn 57' |
Report | Rush 2' |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 21,029 Referee: Keith Burge |
| 11 December 1994 (Super Sunday) 18 | Liverpool | 0–0 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 30,972 Referee: Kelvin Morton |
| 18 December 1994 (Super Sunday) 19 | Chelsea | 0–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 16:00 | F. Sinclair 31' |
Report | Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 27,050 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 26 December 1994 20 | Leicester City | 1–2 | Liverpool | Leicester |
| 11:30 | S. Thompson  63' Simon Grayson 65'  82' I. Roberts 87' |
Report | Fowler 67' (pen.) Rush 77' |
Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 21,393 Referee: Gerald Ashby (Worcestershire) |
| 28 December 1994 21 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Manchester City | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Phelan 55' (o.g.) Fowler 80' 82' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,122 Referee: Robbie Hart |
| 31 December 1994 22 | Leeds United | 0–2 | Liverpool | Leeds |
| 15:00 | Report | Redknapp 18' Fowler 76' |
Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 38,563 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 2 January 1995 23 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Norwich City | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Scales 14' Fowler 38', 47' Rush 83' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,709 Referee: Keith Cooper (Pontypridd) |
| 14 January 1995 24 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Ipswich Town | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Report | Tanner 30' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,733 Referee: Roger Gifford (Mid Glamorgan) |
| 24 January 1995 25 | Liverpool | 0–0 | Everton | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 39,505 Referee: Brian Hill |
| 4 February 1995 26 | Nottingham Forest | 1–1 | Liverpool | Nottingham |
| 15:00 | Collymore 10' |
Report | Babb 52' Fowler 90+2' |
Stadium: City Ground Attendance: 25,418 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 11 February 1995 27 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Queens Park Rangers | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Scales 71' |
Report | Gallen 6' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 35,996 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 25 February 1995 28 | Sheffield Wednesday | 1–2 | Liverpool | Sheffield |
| 15:00 | Bart-Williams 14' |
Report | Barnes 42' McManaman 59' |
Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 31,964 Referee: David Elleray (Harrow) |
| 4 March 1995 29 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 57' Rush 63' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 39,300 Referee: Peter Jones |
| 14 March 1995 30 | Liverpool | 2–3 | Coventry City | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Mølby 76' (pen.) Burrows 90+1' (o.g.) |
Report | Ndlovu 20', 35' (pen.), 85' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 27,183 Referee: Mike Reed (Birmingham) |
| 19 March 1995 (Super Sunday) 31 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Manchester United | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Redknapp 25' Bruce 85' (o.g.) |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,906 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 22 March 1995 32 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Klinsmann 72' |
Report | Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 31,988 Referee: Paul Danson |
| 5 April 1995 33 | Liverpool | 3–1 | Southampton | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Rush 28', 53' Fowler 70' (pen.) |
Report | R. Hall 14' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 29,881 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 9 April 1995 34 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Leeds United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Report | Deane 30' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 37,454 Referee: Keith Burge |
| 12 April 1995 35 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Report | Fowler 90' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 38,036 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 14 April 1995 36 | Manchester City | 2–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| 15:15 | Summerbee 17' Gaudino 74' |
Report | McManaman 21' |
Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 27,055 Referee: Joe Worrall |
| 17 April 1995 37 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Leicester City | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 75' Rush 80' |
Report | Whitlow ?' 70' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,012 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 29 April 1995 38 | Norwich City | 1–2 | Liverpool | Norwich |
| 15:00 | Ullathorne 17' |
Report | Harkness 7' Rush 84' |
Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 21,843 Referee: Brian Hill |
| 2 May 1995 39 | Wimbledon | 0–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 12,041 Referee: Terry Holbrook |
| 6 May 1995 40 | Aston Villa | 2–0 | Liverpool | Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Yorke 25', 36' |
Report | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 40,154 Referee: Robbie Hart |
| 10 May 1995 41 | West Ham United | 3–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Holmes 29' Hutchison 60', 62' |
Report | Stadium: Boleyn Ground Attendance: 22,246 Referee: Paul Durkin |
FA Cup
Matches
| 7 January 1995 3rd round | Birmingham City | 0–0 | Liverpool | Bordesley |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 25,326 Referee: JL Watson |
| 18 January 1995 3rd round (replay) | Liverpool | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (2–0 p) | Birmingham City | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Redknapp 21' |
Report | Otto 69' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,275 Referee: Jimmy Parker |
| Penalties | ||||
| Ruddock Redknapp  Bjørnebye |
M. Ward McGavin Daish G. Cooper |
|||
| 28 January 1995 4th round | Burnley | 0–0 | Liverpool | Burnley |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 20,551 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 7 February 1995 4th round (replay)) | Liverpool | 1–0 | Burnley | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Barnes 44' Ruddock 81' |
Report | McMinn (after FT) |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,109 Referee: Kelvin Morton |
| 19 February 1995 5th round | Liverpool | 1–1 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 33' |
Report | A. Clarke 2' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 25,124 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 28 February 1995 5th round (replay) | Wimbledon | 0–2 | Liverpool | Selhurst |
| 19:45 | Report | Barnes 10' Rush 38' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 12,553 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
Coca-Cola Cup
Matches
| 21 September 1994 2nd, 1st leg | Liverpool | 2–0 | Burnley | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Scales 42' Fowler 84' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 23,359 |
| 5 October 1994 2nd, 2nd leg | Burnley | 1–4 | Liverpool | Burnley |
| 19:45 | Robinson 84' |
Report | Redknapp 15', 69' Fowler 50'Clough 75' |
Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 19,032 |
| 25 October 1994 3 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Stoke City | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Rush 4', 56' |
Report | Peschisolido 40' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,060 |
| 30 November 1994 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–3 | Liverpool | Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Sutton 89' |
Report | Rush 19', 53', 71' |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 30,115 |
| 11 January 1995 Q-F | Liverpool | 1–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Rush 59' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 35,026 |
| 15 February 1995 S-F, 1st leg | Liverpool | 1–0 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Fowler 90+2' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 25,480 |
| 8 March 1995 S-F, 2nd leg | Crystal Palace | 0–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Report | Fowler 27' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 18,224 |
| 2 April 1995 Final | Liverpool | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | London |
| 17:00 | McManaman 37', 68' |
Report | Thompson 70' |
Stadium: Wembley Stadium Attendance: 75,595 Referee: Philip Don (Middlesex) |
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Appearances and goals
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| DF | IRL |
Phil Babb | 47 | 0 | 33+1 | 0 | 6+0 | 0 | 7+0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG |
John Barnes | 50 | 9 | 38+0 | 7 | 6+0 | 2 | 6+0 | 0 | |
| DF |  NOR |
Stig Inge Bjørnebye | 44 | 0 | 31+0 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 | 7+0 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG |
Nigel Clough | 11 | 1 | 3+7 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | |
| FW | ENG |
Robbie Fowler | 57 | 31 | 42+0 | 25 | 7+0 | 2 | 8+0 | 4 | |
| DF | ENG |
Steve Harkness | 8 | 1 | 8+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | |
| GK | ENG |
David James | 57 | 0 | 42+0 | 0 | 7+0 | 0 | 8+0 | 0 | |
| FW |  WAL |
Lee Jones | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG |
Rob Jones | 46 | 0 | 31+0 | 0 | 7+0 | 0 | 8+0 | 0 | |
| MF | IRL |
Mark Kennedy | 6 | 0 | 4+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG |
Dominic Matteo | 8 | 0 | 2+5 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG |
Steve McManaman | 55 | 9 | 40+0 | 7 | 7+0 | 0 | 8+0 | 2 | |
| MF | DEN |
Jan Mølby | 16 | 2 | 12+2 | 2 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | |
| MF | SCO |
Steve Nicol | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG |
Jamie Redknapp | 55 | 6 | 36+5 | 3 | 6+0 | 1 | 8+0 | 2 | |
| DF | ENG |
Neil Ruddock | 52 | 2 | 37+0 | 2 | 7+0 | 0 | 8+0 | 0 | |
| FW | WAL |
Ian Rush | 50 | 19 | 36+0 | 12 | 7+0 | 1 | 7+0 | 6 | |
| DF | ENG |
John Scales | 49 | 3 | 35+0 | 2 | 7+0 | 0 | 7+0 | 1 | |
| MF | ENG |
Michael Thomas | 29 | 0 | 16+7 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG |
Mark Walters | 23 | 0 | 7+11 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG |
Mark Wright | 6 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | |
Goalscorers
| Rank | No. | Pos | Nat | Name | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 | FW | |
Robbie Fowler | 25 | 2 | 4 | 31 |
| 2 | 9 | FW | |
Ian Rush | 12 | 1 | 6 | 19 |
| 3 | 10 | MF | |
John Barnes | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| 17 | MF | |
Steve McManaman | 7 | 0 | 2 | 9 | |
| 5 | 15 | MF | |
Jamie Redknapp | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | 12 | DF | |
John Scales | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | 14 | MF | |
Jan Mølby | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 25 | DF | |
Neil Ruddock | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 9 | 7 | MF | |
Nigel Clough | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | DF | |
Steve Harkness | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Own goal | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||
| Totals | 65 | 6 | 16 | 87 | ||||
Competition top scorers
| Competition | Result | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 4th | Robbie Fowler, 25 |
| FA Cup | Sixth round | John Barnes, 2 Robbie Fowler, 2 |
| League Cup | Winners | Ian Rush, 6 |
| Overall | Robbie Fowler, 31 |
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August
The only major signing of the season was that of Danish goalkeeper Michael Stensgaard as understudy to David James, following Bruce Grobbelaar's departure to Southampton. Defender Julian Dicks had returned to West Ham United after an unsuccessful season at Anfield, followed by midfielder Don Hutchison just after the start of the season, around the same time that veteran Ronnie Whelan called time on 15 years at Anfield and signed for Southend United.
The league campaign began in style with a 6–1 away win over newly promoted Crystal Palace in which Ian Rush and Steve McManaman both scored twice, with Robbie Fowler and Jan Molby scoring the other goals. Robbie Fowler then managed a hat-trick in less than five minutes in the next game, when Liverpool beat Arsenal 3–0 at Anfield. Fowler was on target again, along with John Barnes, in the next game – a 2–0 win at Southampton.
September
The month began with Roy Evans breaking the national defender transfer fee with a £3.6 million move for Wimbledon's John Scales, followed 24 hours later by a £3.5 million signing of Coventry's Phil Babb.
Liverpool saw league action just three times in September, and failed to record any wins. The first game was a goalless draw at home to West Ham, followed by a 2–0 defeat at Manchester United before Ian Rush scored Liverpool's only league goal of the month in a 1–1 away draw with Newcastle United. The Reds were sixth in the league, which was being led by Newcastle.[1]
The League Cup quest began on 21 September, in which John Scales scored his first goal for the club and was joined on the scoresheet by Robbie Fowler in a 2-0 second-round first-leg win over Burnley at Turf Moor.[2]
October
October saw mixed results for Liverpool, who were beaten 3-2 by Kenny Dalglish's title chasers Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park before recording a 3–0 home win over Wimbledon and a 3–1 away win over Ipswich Town. The month ended on a sour note with a 2–1 defeat at QPR.
Liverpool eliminated Burnley from the League Cup with a 4–1 win in the second leg, in which Jamie Redknapp was on the scoresheet twice and Nigel Clough scored what would be his only goal of the season. In the next round, Ian Rush scored twice as the Reds defeated Stoke City 2–1 at Anfield.[2]
The Reds ended October in fifth place, with Newcastle still leading the way, newly promoted Nottingham Forest second and pushing hard for a rare title one season after promotion, followed by Manchester United and Blackburn.[3]
November
A goal from Robbie Fowler on 5 November gave Liverpool a 1–0 home win over fellow title challengers Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Fowler then scored twice in the next game, a 3–1 win home win over Chelsea. Liverpool were then on the losing side in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, where a struggling Everton won 2–0. The month ended with a 1–1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur. The League Cup quest continued at the end of the month when an Ian Rush hat-trick disposed of Blackburn in the fourth round at Ewood Park.[2] The Reds ended the month fourth in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Blackburn.[4]
December
Liverpool were unbeaten in the six league games they played in December, but the first three of those were draws so the subsequent wins over Leicester City, Manchester City and Leeds United restricted them to third place in the league when wins from those first three games would have put them just one point behind leaders Blackburn.[5]
January
The first month of 1995 saw the departure of Liverpool's longest serving player Steve Nicol, who signed for Division One strugglers Notts County after losing his place in the first team to new arrivals John Scales and Phil Babb.
However, the year began on a bright note with a 4–0 home win over Norwich City. Then came a 1–0 defeat at home to struggling Ipswich, followed by a goalless draw in the second Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield.
There was success in the cup competitions as an Ian Rush goal gave the Reds 1–0 win over Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-final. However, it took a penalty shoot-out in a replay to see off Division Two underdogs Birmingham City in the FA Cup third round, while Division One strugglers Burnley faced Liverpool again after the League Cup meeting to hold the Reds to a goalless draw at Turf Moor, forcing yet another replay against lower league opposition.[2]
February
Another quiet month for league action saw the Reds held to 1-1 draws with Forest and QPR before scraping to a 2–1 win away to Sheffield Wednesday. As had happened last month, the biggest news for Liverpool was in the cup competitions. The FA Cup fourth round replay saw them overcome Burnley 1–0, before a fifth round clash with Wimbledon ended in a 1–1 draw and forced another replay, which the Reds won 2–0. Then came the League Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield, in which a Robbie Fowler goal saw the Reds defeat Crystal Palace (battling relegation but chasing glory in both cup competitions) 1–0.[2]
It was looking too late for Liverpool to challenge for a league title win and a unique domestic treble, as they were now 15 points behind leaders Blackburn (though they did have two games in hand) and occupying fourth place.[6]
March
March brought the familiar pattern for Liverpool of mixed results in the league but good form in the cups. Wins over title hopefuls Manchester United and Newcastle but a home defeat by relegation-threatened Coventry and an away draw with Tottenham Hotspur saw them fall to fifth place in the table and leave their title hopes almost completely dead.[7] The FA Cup fifth round replay against Wimbledon saw Liverpool win 2–0, but their hopes of glory ended in the quarter-finals when they 2–1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur. However, the League Cup campaign continued with another 1–0 win over Crystal Palace and another goal from Robbie Fowler in the second leg of the semi-final, to book the Reds a Wembley date with Bolton Wanderers and a chance of becoming the first team to win the League Cup five times.[2]
April
The League Cup final at Wembley Stadium on 2 April 1995 saw Liverpool beat Bolton 2–1 with a brace from Steve McManaman giving Roy Evans the first major trophy of his managerial career, and Liverpool's first major trophy since the FA Cup in 1992. With a place in the UEFA Cup guaranteed for next season and the title now beyond reasonable hope for Liverpool, there was less pressure on them in the final few games of the season, and they looked well placed to finish higher in the league than they had in any of the previous three seasons. Four wins and two defeats from six games made the previously crucial top-five finish a near certainty anyway.[8]
May
A draw with Wimbledon and defeats to two sides climbing clear of relegation danger (Aston Villa and West Ham United) were of little importance to a Liverpool side who could no longer win the title but had already booked European action with their League Cup glory. There was, however, one more game left to play. The final game of the league season was at Anfield on 14 May, and the opponents were Blackburn. Kenny Dalglish's new team were two points ahead of Manchester United – the last side capable of catching them – and a win for them would secure their first league title since 1914. However, if they lost or drew and Manchester United won at West Ham, the title would remain at Old Trafford for the third successive season. There was speculation that Liverpool would give their old manager an easy ride and let him add to the three title success he had managed them to in his time there, but Roy Evans dismissed such talk and his Liverpool side defeated Dalglish's men 2–1. The stadium was a scene of jubilation after the final whistle when news came through that the game in east London had ended in a 1–1 draw and Blackburn had ended their 81-year title wait.[2]
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- Babb was born in Lambeth, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1994.
- Warner was born in Liverpool, England, but also qualified to represent Trinidad and Tobago internationally and would make his international debut for Trinidad and Tobago in February 2006.
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