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The 1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season was the 106th season in the club's existence, and their 36th consecutive year in the top-flight of English football. In addition to the Premier League, the club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup, and the UEFA Cup.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
| 1997–98 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Roy Evans | ||
| Stadium | Anfield | ||
| Premier League | 3rd | ||
| FA Cup | Third round | ||
| League Cup | Semi-finals | ||
| UEFA Cup | Second round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Michael Owen (18) All: Michael Owen (23) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 44,532 vs. Bolton Wanderers (7 March 1998) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 34,705 vs. Sheffield Wednesday (13 September 1997) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 40,628 | ||
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Liverpool's season saw them feature regularly in the title race, though in the end they just couldn't get the better of champions Arsenal and runners-up Manchester United. But the real success of the season was the emergence of 18-year-old striker Michael Owen.[1] The Chester-born youngster had impressed in a handful of appearances during 1996–97, but his impact during 1997–98 was outstanding—18 goals from 36 Premier League games, especially after Robbie Fowler was ruled out for much of the campaign with a broken leg. In midfield, the arrival of Paul Ince sought to add steel to a side creatively centred on playmaker Steve McManaman, but the team were at the peak of their Spice Boys era, and underachieved in the end, eventually finishing in third place – meaning that Liverpool would be challenging in the UEFA Cup for 1998–99.
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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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Reserve 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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Appearances and goals
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | UEFA Cup | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 1 | GK |  ENG |
David James | 37 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 29 | GK |  USA |
Brad Friedel | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | ENG |
Rob Jones | 26 | 0 | 20+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | DF |  NOR |
Bjørn Tore Kvarme | 30 | 0 | 22+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG |
Mark Wright | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF |  IRL |
Phil Babb | 20 | 0 | 18+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | ENG |
Steve Harkness | 31 | 0 | 24+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | ENG |
Neil Ruddock | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | NOR |
Stig Inge Bjørnebye | 32 | 0 | 24+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 21 | DF |  SCO |
Dominic Matteo | 33 | 0 | 24+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | ENG |
Jamie Carragher | 23 | 0 | 17+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 4 | MF | IRL |
Jason McAteer | 26 | 2 | 15+6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG |
Steve McManaman | 46 | 12 | 36 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | NOR |
Øyvind Leonhardsen | 36 | 6 | 27+1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | ENG |
Jamie Redknapp | 26 | 5 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 15 | MF |  CZE |
Patrik Berger | 28 | 4 | 6+16 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 2+1 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | ENG |
Michael Thomas | 13 | 1 | 10+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | ENG |
Paul Ince | 40 | 8 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | IRL |
Mark Kennedy | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | ENG |
Danny Murphy | 17 | 0 | 6+10 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | MF | ENG |
David Thompson | 5 | 1 | 1+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 9 | FW | ENG |
Robbie Fowler | 28 | 13 | 19+1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 13 | FW |  GER |
Karl-Heinz Riedle | 34 | 7 | 18+7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2+3 | 0 | 1+2 | 1 |
| 18 | FW | ENG |
Michael Owen | 44 | 23 | 34+2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3+1 | 1 |
| Players transferred out during the season | |||||||||||||
Last updated: 15 May 1998
Source: Competitions
Goalscorers
| Rank | No. | Pos | Nat | Name | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | UEFA Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | FW | |
Michael Owen | 18 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 |
| 2 | 9 | FW | |
Robbie Fowler | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
| 3 | 7 | MF | |
Steve McManaman | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| 4 | 17 | MF | |
Paul Ince | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 5 | 13 | FW | |
Karl-Heinz Riedle | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 6 | 8 | MF | |
Øyvind Leonhardsen | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 7 | 11 | MF | |
Jamie Redknapp | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | 15 | MF | |
Patrick Berger | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | 4 | MF | |
Jason McAteer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | 16 | MF | |
Michael Thomas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | MF | |
David Thompson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Totals | 68 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 82 | ||||
Competition top scorers
| Competition | Result | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 3rd | Michael Owen, 18 |
| UEFA Cup | Second round | Robbie Fowler Steve McManaman Michael Owen Karl-Heinz Riedle, 1 |
| FA Cup | Third round | Jamie Redknapp, 1 |
| League Cup | Semi-finals | Michael Owen, 4 |
| Overall | Michael Owen, 23 |
Premier League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal (C) | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 68 | 33 | +35 | 78 | Qualification for the Champions League group stage |
| 2 | Manchester United | 38 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 73 | 26 | +47 | 77 | Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Liverpool | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 68 | 42 | +26 | 65 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 4 | Chelsea | 38 | 20 | 3 | 15 | 71 | 43 | +28 | 63 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[e] |
| 5 | Leeds United | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 57 | 46 | +11 | 59 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[f] |
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
- McAteer was born in Tranmere, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in March 1994.
- 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.
- Chelsea qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as defending champions. As they were also the League Cup winners, the UEFA Cup berth vacated was awarded to Blackburn Rovers.
- Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.
Results by round
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | A | H | A | A | H | H | A |
| Result | D | L | D | W | W | D | W | L | W | L | W | D | W | L | W | L | W | W | W | W | W | D | W | D | L | D | D | L | W | D | W | D | W | D | L | W | W | L |
| Position | 11 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Source: Premier League
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed; = Leader, 1998–99 UEFA Champions League Group stage; = 1998–99 UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying round; = 1998–99 UEFA Cup First round; = Relegation to 1998–99 Football League
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed; = Leader, 1998–99 UEFA Champions League Group stage; = 1998–99 UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying round; = 1998–99 UEFA Cup First round; = Relegation to 1998–99 Football League
Matches
| 9 August 1997 1 | Wimbledon | 1–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Gayle  55' |
Owen 70' (pen.) |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 26,106 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 13 August 1997 2 | Liverpool | 1–2 | Leicester City | Liverpool |
| Ince 85' |
Elliott 1' Fenton 83' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 35,007 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 23 August 1997 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–1 | Liverpool | Blackburn |
| Dahlin 85' |
Owen 52' |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 30,187 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 26 August 1997 4 | Leeds United | 0–2 | Liverpool | Leeds |
| McManaman 23' Riedle 75' |
Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 39,775 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 13 September 1997 5 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Liverpool |
| Ince 55' Thomas 68' |
Collins 80' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,705 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 20 September 1997 6 | Southampton | 1–1 | Liverpool | Southampton |
| Davies 48' |
Riedle 37' |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,252 Referee: Peter Jones |
| 22 September 1997 7 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Aston Villa | Liverpool |
| 20:00 | Fowler 56' (pen.) McManaman 79'Riedle 90' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,843 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 27 September 1997 8 | West Ham United | 2–1 | Liverpool | London |
| Hartson 16' Berkovic 65' |
Fowler 52' |
Stadium: Upton Park Attendance: 25,908 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 5 October 1997 9 | Liverpool | 4–2 | Chelsea | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Berger 20', 35', 57' Fowler 64' |
Zola 22' Poyet 85' (pen.) |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,647 Referee: David Elleray |
| 18 October 1997 10 | Everton | 2–0 | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| Ruddock 45' (o.g.) Cadamarteri 75' |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 40,112 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 25 October 1997 11 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Derby County | Liverpool |
| Fowler 27', 84' Leonhardsen 65'McManaman 88' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,017 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 1 November 1997 12 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| Blake 84' |
Fowler 1' |
Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 8 November 1997 13 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Liverpool |
| McManaman 48' Leonhardsen 50'Redknapp 65'Owen 86' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,006 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 22 November 1997 14 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Barnsley | Liverpool |
| Ward 35' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,011 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 30 November 1997 15 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 16:00 | McManaman 55' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 38,094 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 6 December 1997 16 | Liverpool | 1–3 | Manchester United | Liverpool |
| Fowler 60' (pen.) |
Cole 51', 74' Beckham 70' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,027 Referee: David Elleray |
| 13 December 1997 17 | Crystal Palace | 0–3 | Liverpool | London |
| McManaman 39' Owen 56'Leonhardsen 61' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 25,790 Referee: Neale Barry |
| 20 December 1997 18 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Coventry City | Liverpool |
| Owen 14' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 39,707 Referee: Paul Alcock |
| 26 December 1997 19 | Liverpool | 3–1 | Leeds United | Liverpool |
| Owen 46' Fowler 79', 83' |
Haaland 84' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,854 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 28 December 1997 20 | Newcastle United | 1–2 | Liverpool | Newcastle |
| 17:00 | Watson 16' |
McManaman 31', 43' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,702 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 10 January 1998 21 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
| Redknapp 71', 84' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,011 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 17 January 1998 22 | Leicester City | 0–0 | Liverpool | Leicester |
| Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 21,633 Referee: Steve Dunn |
| 20 January 1998 23 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| Owen 17' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,791 Referee: Graham Barber |
| 31 January 1998 24 | Liverpool | 0–0 | Blackburn Rovers | Liverpool |
| Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,890 Referee: Paul Durkin |
| 7 February 1998 25 | Liverpool | 2–3 | Southampton | Liverpool |
| Owen 24', 90+4' |
Hirst 8' (pen.), 90' Østenstad 85' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,550 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 14 February 1998 26 | Sheffield Wednesday | 3–3 | Liverpool | Sheffield |
| Carbone 7' Di Canio 63'Hinchcliffe 69' |
Owen 27', 73', 78' |
Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 35,405 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 23 February 1998 27 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Everton | Liverpool |
| Ince 68' |
Ferguson 58' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,501 Referee: Peter Jones |
| 28 February 1998 28 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Liverpool | Birmingham |
| Collymore 10', 65' |
Owen 6' (pen.) |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 39,572 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 7 March 1998 29 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Liverpool |
| Ince 58' Owen 65' |
A. Thompson 7' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,532 Referee: Keith Burge |
| 14 March 1998 30 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–3 | Liverpool | London |
| Klinsmann 13' Ginola 49'Vega 80' |
McManaman 21', 89' Ince 64' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 30,245 Referee: Uriah Rennie |
| 28 March 1998 31 | Barnsley | 2–3 | Liverpool | Barnsley |
| Redfearn 37' (pen.), 85' |
Riedle 44', 59' McManaman 90' |
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 18,864 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 10 April 1998 32 | Manchester United | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| Johnsen 12' |
Owen 36' |
Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 55,171 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 13 April 1998 33 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool |
| Leonhardsen 29' Thompson 85' |
Bent 72' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,007 Referee: Graham Barber |
| 19 April 1998 34 | Coventry City | 1–1 | Liverpool | Coventry |
| Dublin 47' (pen.) |
Owen 33' |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 22,721 Referee: Neale Barry |
| 25 April 1998 35 | Chelsea | 4–1 | Liverpool | London |
| Hughes 11', 78' Clarke 67'Flo 72' |
Riedle 45' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 34,639 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 2 May 1998 36 | Liverpool | 5–0 | West Ham United | Liverpool |
| Owen 4' McAteer 21', 25'Leonhardsen 45'Ince 61' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,414 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 6 May 1998 37 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| Ince 28', 30' Owen 40'Leonhardsen 87' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,417 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 10 May 1998 38 | Derby County | 1–0 | Liverpool | Derby |
| Wanchope 63' |
Stadium: Pride Park Attendance: 30,492 Referee: Steve Lodge |
FA Cup
Matches
League Cup
Matches
| 15 October 1997 3rd Round | West Brom | 0-2 | Liverpool | West Bromwich |
| Berger 52' Fowler 89' |
Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 21,986 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 18 November 1997 4th Round | Liverpool | 3-0 | Grimsby | Liverpool |
| Owen 27', 45', 57' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 28,515 Referee: Roy Pearson |
| 7 January 1998 Quarter Final | Newcastle United | 0-2 (a.e.t.) | Liverpool | Newcastle |
| Owen 95' Fowler 103' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 33,207 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 27 January 1998 Semi Final 1st Leg | Liverpool | 2-1 | Middlesbrough | Liverpool |
| Redknapp 31' Fowler 82' |
Merson 29' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 33,438 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 18 February 1998 Semi Final 2nd Leg | Middlesbrough | 2-0 (3-2 on agg.) | Liverpool | Middlesbrough |
| Merson 2' (pen.) Branca 4' |
Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 29,828 Referee: Paul Durkin |
UEFA Cup
Matches
| 16 September 1997 1st Round 1st Leg | Celtic | 2-2 | Liverpool | Glasgow |
| McNamara 53' Donnelly 74 pen.' |
Report | Owen 6' McManaman 89' |
Stadium: Celtic Park Attendance: 48,526 Referee: Graziano Cesari |
| 30 September 1997 1st Round 2nd Leg | Liverpool | 0-0 (away goals) | Celtic | Liverpool |
| Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,205 Referee: Edgar Steinborn |
| 21 October 1997 2nd Round 1st Leg | RC Strasbourg | 3-0 | Liverpool | Strasbourg |
| Zitelli 20' 63' Conteh 69' |
Report | Stadium: Stade de la Meinau Attendance: 18,813 Referee: Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira |
| 4 November 1997 2nd Round 2nd Leg | Liverpool | 2-0 (2-3 on agg.) | RC Strasbourg | Liverpool |
| Fowler 63 pen.' Riedle 84' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,426 Referee: Rune Pedersen |
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