The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 79- A video Interview and blog presentation with Football fan Mr. David Sleight and Writer and former Football Journalist Mr. Gil Matthews, discussing Liverpool Champions Cup winning run in 1983/84 season)

 

For this interview, I look back at Liverpool’s Champions Cup winning run in 1983/84 season.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

The Interviewees are:

Football fan Mr. David Sleight

 

Mr. Sleight’s contact info:

Twitter: @CelticFoal

 

 

Writer and former Football Journalist Mr. Gil Matthews

 

Mr. Matthews’ contact info:

Twitter: @MatthewsGil

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gil.matthews.3

Business: ‘And Then Strum’ guitar tuition online

Instagram: Gilberticus3rd

 

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

Liverpool FC in the Champions Cup 1983/84

 

When the 1983/84 season kicked off, Liverpool were to take part in the Champions Cup. Liverpool were the best English team of their era.

They had won the League title in five of the previous eight seasons and had also won the Champions Cup in 1977, 1978 and 1981.

These successes had come under the stewardship of manager Bob Paisley. He had followed the legendary Bill Shankly and overseen a glorious decade of success.

In this offseason of 1983, Bob Pasiley had retired, and Liverpool turned to his 62-year-old Assistant Joe Fagan to lead the side and continue the Liverpool legacy.

 Fagan’s task was helped as Liverpool had a strong backbone, which had played together for many years.

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Joe Fagan)

The Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar was as talented as he was eccentric.

The defense was led by English veteran Phil Neal and complemented by Alan Kennedy, the Scottish Alan Hansen, and the Irish Mark Lawrenson (who had established himself ahead of Phil Thompson).

Scottish skipper Graeme Souness led the midfield, along with Sammy Lee, the Australian Craig Johnston, and the Irishman Ronnie Whelan.

The strike force consisted of Scottish veteran Keny Dalglish and the young Welsh striker Ian Rush, who was about to have his greatest season.

 

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Bruce Grobbelaar)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Bruce Grobbelaar)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Phil Neal)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Kenny Dalglish)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Graeme Souness and Sammy Lee)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984 

(Ian Rush)

The transfer activity was rather light, super sub-David Fairclough left to join Lucerne in Switzerland.

The only significant arrival was that of Irish forward Michael Robinson, fresh from an FA Cup Final appearance (loss to Manchester United).

Young Scottish defender Gary Gillespie arrived from Coventry City. However, he was programmed to make the team in the future.

Irish youngsters Ken De Mange and Brian Mooney arrived from Home Farm, but they made no impact.

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 21 (491), May 23-29, 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 21 (491), May 23-29, 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 21 (491), May 23-29, 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 21 (491), May 23-29, 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Liverpool started their Champions Cup adventure against Danish side OB Odense.

The first leg was away at Odense on September 14, 1983. Liverpool did the minimum and won (1-0) with a Kenny Dalglish strike in the 14^th minute.

 

The Return leg at Anfield was on September 28^th, 1983, and a rampant Liverpool defeated the Danes (5-0). New signing Michael Robinson scored twice (15^th, 70^th) as did Dalglish (33^rd, 40^th), while another goal was scored from an own goal (55^th minute).

Dalglish became the record holder of goals scored in Europe by a British player (15 to 14 scored by Denis Law).

A comfortable first round against modest opposition.

 

 

The Second Round was a much more difficult test, as Liverpool faced Spanish Champions Athletic Bilbao.

The first leg was held in Anfield on October 19, 1983. Liverpool were expected to win and despite their pressure, Bilbao held on and came away with an advantageous scoreless tie.

The away leg was on November 2^nd, 1983, at San Mames. Liverpool had to win to advance. Fagan and Souness stated that Liverpool had to attack from the start and deprive Bilbao of possession.

Liverpool pulled off the away win with an Ian Rush strike in the 66^th minute.

They were through to the quarterfinals without conceding a goal.

 

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(November 2, 1983, Champions Cup, Athletic Bilbao 0- Liverpool 1)

For the Quarterfinals in the Spring of 1984, Liverpool were paired with Portuguese giants Benfica.

By this stage of the season, Liverpool were on their way to win a third straight League title.

Ian Rush was unstoppable and scoring regularly and earning attention beyond Britain.

Kenny Dalglish was having a great season despite his advanced age and finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting in December 1983 (behind Frenchman Michel Platini).

Liverpool also signed Scottish International midfielder John Wark in March (from Ipswich Town). However, he was cup-tied for the Champions Cup.

 

Liverpool hosted the first leg at Anfield on March 7^th, 1984. Benfica clearly traveled with the intention to limit the damage. It should be noted that they were also missing Humberto and Pietra in defense.

Liverpool could not break through and therefore Fagan was forced to bring in Kenny Dalglish (to replace Michael Robinson) in the second half. Dalglish had been out injured for two months prior. He had been injured in January at Old Trafford after a collision, it was regarded as his most serious injury to date.

It was an impact substitution as Liverpool grew in confidence. In the 66^th minute, Kennedy’s cross from the left side was headed in at the far post by Ian Rush.

Fagan felt Benfica were a stronger side than Bilbao, while his counterpart at Benfica, the Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson, felt most teams in Europe play better at home than away and this is not the case with Liverpool.

 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 100, April 1984 

(March 7, 1984, Champions Cup, Liverpool 1-Benfica 0)

The return leg on March 21^st, at Lisbon, and Liverpool delivered a statement of purpose by winning (4-1) away from home.

Ronnie Whelan scored twice (9^th, 88^th), along with Craig Johnston (33^rd) and an inevitable strike from Ian Rush (78^th). All Benfica could offer was a reply from Nene in the 74^th minute.

Afterwards former Benfica legend, Eusebio stated that Liverpool were the best team in Europe.

 

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(March 21, 1984, Champions Cup, Benfica 1- Liverpool 4)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(March 21, 1984, Champions Cup, Benfica 1- Liverpool 4)

Ahead of the Semifinals, Liverpool won the League Cup against Everton. It was their fourth straight triumph of the League Cup. It was a major boost in the final run-in of the season.

 

The semifinals were against Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest. The Romanians had eliminated the defending Champions SV Hamburg in the second round.

Liverpool once more hosted the first leg on April 11^th, 1984. Just like against Benfica, Liverpool won (1-0) with a Sammy Lee strike in the 25^th minute.

The match is also remembered for Souness punching Lică Movilă (breaking his jaw in the process) after repeated fouls.

 

The second leg at Bucharest on April 25^th, was another impressive display by Liverpool, as they defeated the hosts (2-1) with a double strike from Rush, under the rain.

Afterwards Fagan expressed his pride for his side’s display in such difficult circumstances. Patrick Barclay, writing in the Guardian, stated that Joe Fagan and his players have acquired the perverse taste for hostile environments.

Liverpool were through to the Final and had won all their away matches in the competition.

 

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(April 11, 1984, Champions Cup, Liverpool 1-Dinamo Bucuresti 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 101, May 1984 

(April 25, 1984, Champions Cup, Dinamo Bucuresti 1-Liverpool 2)

Note: To be verified, whether its’ the photo and lineup from this match

Liverpool were in the Final facing Italian side AS Roma on May 30^th, 1984. The Roman side included Italian International and 1982 World Cup hero Bruno Conti, as well as Brazilian stars Paulo Roberto Falcao and Toninho Cerezo.

Roma also had a distinct advantage as the Final was to be played at their home stadium.

Liverpool were playing in their fourth Final in seven years and were used to the occasion.

Phil Neal was the common link from 1977 to 1984. Liverpool had already won the League title and the League Cup and were in line for a historic treble.

Ahead of the Final, Liverpool had taken a trip to Israel to decompress under the sun. Fagan was questioned for this decision, and he responded that from August, his team had played sometimes two matches per week, and he chose to give his players three days off.

 

Phil Neal took advantage of a lucky bounce (from Tancredi’s head after an attempted clearance) to give Liverpool the lead in the 14^th minute.

Roma tied the match through a Roberto Pruzzo header in the 44^th minute. The match finished as a (1-1) tie and went into extra time.

The score remained unchanged, and the match went into a penalty kick shoot-out (for the first time ever in the competition’s history).

Although Nicol missed Liverpool’s first attempt, Grobbelaar came through as Roma missed two of their attempts. Alan Kennedy, the hero of the 1981 triumph, scored the decisive kick and Liverpool were European Champions for the fourth time.

In his season in charge, Joe Fagan had won the treble.

This was the zenith of this Liverpool generation. Afterwards, Graeme Souness bowed out and joined the Italian Serie A side Sampdoria.

Liverpool would be back in the Final next year, but that would end with the tragedy of Heysel and an era of Liverpool dominance in Europe was over.

 

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: L’Année du Football 1984

(Liverpool squad, May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

 

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1984 

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (498), June 13-19, 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (498), June 13-19, 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (498), June 13-19, 1984

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, No 24 (498), June 13-19, 1984

(Liverpool squad, May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984 

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984 

(May 30, 1984, Champions Cup, AS Roma 1-Liverpool 1)

 

Liverpool Football Club (1983/84 season):

Players who took part in these matches (on the field or on the bench):

Goalkeeper:

Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe), (October 6, 1957, Durban, South Africa) (aged 25-26 years old at the time)

Bob Bolder (October 2, 1958, Dover) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

Defenders:

Phil Neal (February 20, 1951, Irchester, Northamptonshire) (aged 32-33 years old at the time)

Steve Nicol (Scotland) (December 11, 1961, Troon, Scotland) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

Alan Hansen (Scotland) (June 13, 1955, Sauchie, Clackmannashire, Scotland) (aged 28 years old at the time)

Mark Lawrenson (Republic of Ireland) (June 2, 1957, Preston, Lancashire, England) (aged 26 years old at the time)

Alan Kennedy (August 31, 1954, Penshaw) (aged 29 years old at the time)

Gary Gillespie (Scotland) (July 5, 1960, Stirling, Scotland) (aged 23 years old at the time)

Jim Beglin (Republic of Ireland) (July 29, 1963, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland) (aged 20 years old at the time)

Phil Thompson (January 21, 1954, Kirby, Lancashire) (aged 29-30 years old at the time)

John McGregor (Scotland) (January 5, 1963, Airdrie, Scotland) (aged 20-21 years old at the time)

 

 

Midfielders:

Graeme Souness (Scotland) (May 6, 1953, Edinburgh, Scotland) (aged 30-31 years old at the time)

Sammy Lee (February 7, 1959, Liverpool) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

Craig Johnston (Australia) (June 25, 1960, Johannesburg, South Africa) (aged 23 years old at the time)

Ronnie Whelan (Republic of Ireland) (September 25, 1961, Dublin, Republic of Ireland) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

John Wark (Scotland) (August 4, 1957, Glasgow, Scotland) (aged 26 years old at the time) (arrived in March, therefore ineligible and cup tied for the Champions Cup)

Ken De Mange (Republic of Ireland) (September 3, 1964, Dublin, Republic of Ireland) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

Brian Mooney (Republic of Ireland) (February 2, 1966, Dublin, Republic of Ireland) (aged 17-18 years old at the time)

 

Forwards:

Ian Rush (Wales) (October 20, 1961, St Asaph, Wales) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

Michael Robinson (Republic of Ireland) (July 12, 1958, Leicester, England-April 28, 2020, Madrid, Spain) (aged 25 years old at the time)

Kenny Dalglish (Scotland) (March 4, 1951, Glasgow, Scotland) (aged 32-33 years old at the time)

David Hodgson (August 6, 1960, Gateshead) (aged 23 years old at the time)

David West (November 16, 1964, Dorchester) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

 

Coach: Joe Fagan (March 12, 1921, Walton, Liverpool-June 30, 2001, Liverpool) (aged 62-63 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Graeme Souness (Scotland)

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro

Shirt Sponsor: Crown Paints

 

 

 

Transfer Activity:

 

Arrivals:

Michael Robinson (Brighton Hove and Albion)

Gary Gillespie (Coventry City)

Ken De Mange (Home Farm / Republic of Ireland)

Brian Mooney (Home Farm / Republic of Ireland)

John Wark (Ipswich Town) (arrived March 1984)

 

Departures:

David Fairclough (Lucerne/ Switzerland)

Robert Savage (Stoke City)

 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 99, March 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 99, March 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 99, March 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

 

Photo From: Onze, Issue 101, May 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 101, May 1984

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Panini England 1983/84

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

Photo From: Panini England 1983/84

(Liverpool squad 1983/84)

References:

France Football, Issue 1961, November 8, 1983

France Football, Issue 1979, March 13, 1984

France Football, Issue 1981, March 27, 1984

France Football, Issue 1984, April 17, 1984

France Football, Issue 1986, May 2, 1984

France Football, Issue 1991, June 5, 1984

Mondial, new series, issue 52, July 1984

Onze, Issue 99, March 1984

Onze, Issue 100, April 1984

Onze, Issue 101, May 1984

Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

World Soccer, June 1984

World Soccer, July 1984

L’Année du Football 1984