In May 1989, Arsenal had to come to Anfield and win by two clear goals to snatch the league title. At the time, it seemed impossible; Liverpool fans ridiculed the idea and no one really expected Arsenal to do it. We all know what happened next. Since that ill-fated night, Liverpool have played Arsenal 23 times at Anfield, and with tomorrow's game of a similar magnitude to the 1989 encounter, the game stats over the last 19 years make interesting reading.
Below is a list of every Liverpool-Arsenal game at Anfield since May 1989:
Below is a list of every Liverpool-Arsenal game at Anfield since May 1989:
26.11.1989 | W | 2 - 1 | 1st Division | ||||||
03.03.1991 | L | 0 - 1 | 1st Division | ||||||
29.01.1992 | W | 2 - 0 | 1st Division | ||||||
23.08.1992 | L | 0 - 2 | Premier League | ||||||
02.10.1993 | D | 0 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
28.08.1994 | W | 3 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
11.01.1995 | W | 1 - 0 | League Cup 5th round | ||||||
23.12.1995 | W | 3 - 1 | Premier League | ||||||
19.08.1996 | W | 2 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
27.11.1996 | W | 4 - 2 | League Cup 4th round | ||||||
06.05.1998 | W | 4 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
22.08.1998 | D | 0 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
28.08.1999 | W | 2 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
23.12.2000 | W | 4 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
23.12.2001 | L | 1 - 2 | Premier League | ||||||
29.01.2003 | D | 2 - 2 | Premier League | ||||||
04.10.2003 | L | 1 - 2 | Premier League | ||||||
28.11.2004 | W | 2 - 1 | Premier League | ||||||
14.02.2006 | W | 1 - 0 | Premier League | ||||||
06.01.2007 | L | 1 - 3 | FA Cup 3rd round | ||||||
09.01.2007 | L | 3 - 6 | League Cup 5th round | ||||||
31.03.2007 | W | 4 - 1 | Premier League | ||||||
28.10.2007 | D | 1 - 1 | Premier League | ||||||
Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Goals for | Goals Against | Goals per game | |||
23 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 43 | 25 | 2.9 per game | |||
Overall, Liverpool look like they’re in good shape, however, the figures reveal that
1. In the last 5 games, Liverpool have won only twice at Anfield.
2. The last 2 defeats have been in knock-out cup competitions.
3. Liverpool have conceded 11 goals in the last 5 games.
4. In the 10 games prior to that, Liverpool conceded only 9 goals.
If we consider the above results in the context of the last 10 games home AND away against Arsenal, things look a little bleaker, with Arsenal winning 5, Liverpool winning 2 and three draws rounding out the 10.
Going into the 1989 game at Anfield, Liverpool had been on a 17 game unbeaten streak and were overwhelming favourites to clinch the title.
The current Liverpool side does not a record as impressive as that, but with only 3 games lost in the last 20 - and two arguably comfortable games against Arsenal in the last week - Liverpool are widely considered to be favourites to go through to the next round.
The favourites tag carries even more weight given the club's superb European pedigree under Rafael Benitez. However, as Benfica proved in 2006, it’s perfectly possible to come to Anfield and win in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
This season, Liverpool have played Arsenal 3 times so far, and all 3 games have been 1-1 draws. In the last 19 years, there has never been 3 straight draws (across seasons) against Arsenal, so the probability of there being another draw is slim at best.
In the Champions League, Liverpool seem to be at their best when they’re considered to be the underdogs. The entire CL winning season in 2004/5 is testament to this, as are the victories against the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Against Arsenal, they are also considered favourites, which may not suit the team as much. Indeed, countless players have been overconfident in the press leading up to the trilogy, pontificating about how Liverpool‘have no fear’ etc. This could potentially come back to haunt them.
With Arsenal’s premiership hopes grinding to a halt over the last few weeks, their only realistic chance of silverware this season is the Champions league, so they will be ridiculously motivated to win the game.
And recent history proves that they can come to Anfield and win, and do so emphatically, and I am sure they will be buoyed by that
Having said that, Fernando Torres loves playing at Anfield, and if he scores at any point in the game, then Arsenal can forget it. 22 of Torres' 28 goals this season have come at home, and when Torres scores Liverpool do not lose.
Ultimately, Arsenal have proved that it’s possible to come to Anfield and win in the most hopeless, pressurized circumstances. To counteract that, Liverpool need a big performance tomorrow night, full of positive attacking intent and real desire to win.
Playing for a draw is not going to cut it, especially with Arsenal knowing it's win or bust. If Liverpool go the negative cautious route, as they have so often under benitez, history just might repeat itself.
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