Classic Matches: Liverpool Vs Arsenal 1989

This is one of the most climatic finishes to a league ever and also one of the best games of football in the history of the league. Not suitable for Liverpool or Tottenham fans

Background to the match

Arsenal had been the leading team at the top of the First Division for much of the season. At the turn of the year, they had been 15 points ahead of Liverpool, but their form dropped as the season drew to a close, whilst Liverpool had been unbeaten since January 1. In the run-up to the Anfield match, Arsenal lost to Derby County and drew with Wimbledon; Liverpool won twice, 20 against QPR and 51 against West Ham United allowing them to overtake Arsenal with one game to play and take a superior goal difference. On the eve of the match, Liverpool were three points ahead, with 76 points (Arsenal had 73).

A victory for Arsenal would bring both teams level, but for Arsenal to win the title they needed to do one of two things:-

a) Win by two goals or more to win on goals scored
b) or win by three goals or more to win on goal difference

The match

The first half of the game was one of few chances; Arsenal played with a defensive 541 formation with David O'Leary in the unusual role of sweeper. Although Arsenal did not usually play this way, this enabled the full-backs Dixon and Winterburn more scope to push forward and limit Liverpool's wing play. Arsenal did their best to restrict Liverpool's attacking in the opening 45 minutes with tackling. With the game interrupted by tackling and free kicks, neither side built any momentum in the first half; the only real chance of the game fell to Arsenal; a cross from Michael Thomas on the right was met by Steve Bould, but Steve Nicol cleared it over the bar for a corner. In addition, Liverpool's leading goalscorer Ian Rush had to go off with a groin strain and had to be replaced by Peter Beardsley in the 32nd minute. The score was 00 at half time.

Seven minutes after the restart, Whelan was penalised for an offence on the edge of the Liverpool area. Nigel Winterburn took the resulting indirect free kick, which was met by Alan Smith with a header. Liverpool's players protested, claiming Smith had not made contact (meaning the goal would have been disallowed, coming directly from an indirect free kick) or that there had been a push by O'Leary. After consulting his linesman, the referee David Hutchinson awarded the goal. After the match, he recalled none of the Liverpool players knew why they had protested, and TV replays confirm that Smith made contact.

With the score 10, Arsenal pushed forward but Liverpool still held the advantage. In the 74th minute Thomas found a pass from Richardson near the penalty spot but shot weakly and it was smothered by Liverpool keeper Bruce Grobbelaar. Arsenal manager George Graham brought on Martin Hayes and Perry Groves, and switched to a more attack-oriented 442 formation. This gave Liverpool space to counter-attack through Barnes and Aldridge. Aldridge and Ray Houghton both had late chances to equalise but did not capitalise on them, and as full time approached the game was heading for a 10 scoreline.

In the second minute of injury time launched their final attack. A Barnes run was intercepted by Kevin Richardson, and he passed the ball back to his goalkeeper John Lukic. Lukic bowled the ball out to right-back Lee Dixon; his long ball to Alan Smith was flicked on, finding Michael Thomas surging forward from midfield. Thomas tried to lift the ball over Nicol which came off the defenders shoulder and then bounced off Thomas' leg so he was through on goal. He raced into the penalty area, slipping the ball past the advancing Grobbelaar to score Arsenal's second.



Thomas had scored with just 25 seconds to go. Liverpool tried one last attack but Thomas managed to intercept and pass the ball back to Lukic. Arsenal received the Championship trophy after the match, with the home support at Anfield staying behind to applaud them.