In April 1988, Liverpool played a trilogy of games against Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest side as they sought to secure another league and cup double. The third game in the trilogy saw one the finest –if not the finest – performances Anfield has ever witnessed.
Going into the third game on April 13th it was all square: Forest had beaten Liverpool in league – one of only two defeats in the 87-88 championship winning season – and Liverpool had dumped Forest out of the FA Cup in an exciting semi-final at Hillsborough.
The following video clip only shows the goals but the entire game was a thrilling exhibition of ‘stupendous attacking football’*, and went on to become known as 'the game of the century'.
Upon viewing the game, a reverent Michel Platini eulogised the prodigious talents and ‘European style’ of the likes of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, Ray Houghton and Steve McMahon.
England Legend Sir Tom Finney’s reaction to the game pretty much sums it up:
“I think that’s one of the finest exhibitions of football I’ve ever seen in my life, I mean it was absolutely tremendous; well deserved...the skills and the speed the game was played at was absolutely tremendous. I came away thinking I’ve been really entertained, and I’m sure that...the spectators here saw an exhibition tonight that will never be bettered, I don’t think”.
Look out for John Barnes' brilliant nutmeg as he carves open the Forest defence to create the 4th goal :-)
Enjoy!
*Commentator John Motson
Going into the third game on April 13th it was all square: Forest had beaten Liverpool in league – one of only two defeats in the 87-88 championship winning season – and Liverpool had dumped Forest out of the FA Cup in an exciting semi-final at Hillsborough.
The following video clip only shows the goals but the entire game was a thrilling exhibition of ‘stupendous attacking football’*, and went on to become known as 'the game of the century'.
Upon viewing the game, a reverent Michel Platini eulogised the prodigious talents and ‘European style’ of the likes of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, Ray Houghton and Steve McMahon.
England Legend Sir Tom Finney’s reaction to the game pretty much sums it up:
“I think that’s one of the finest exhibitions of football I’ve ever seen in my life, I mean it was absolutely tremendous; well deserved...the skills and the speed the game was played at was absolutely tremendous. I came away thinking I’ve been really entertained, and I’m sure that...the spectators here saw an exhibition tonight that will never be bettered, I don’t think”.
Look out for John Barnes' brilliant nutmeg as he carves open the Forest defence to create the 4th goal :-)
Enjoy!
*Commentator John Motson
i remember this game, i am a Forest supporter but i have to say that was the best team performance i have ever seen, Liverpool were absolutley brilliant, they would have hammered anyone that night, everything they tried came off, brilliant brilliant performance, i hope you guys get back to those glory days of European dominance, i hate Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal
ReplyDelete