Liverpool’s top six festive games either side of Christmas, with wins over local rivals included…
Christmas may be over, but you can still get in the festive spirit ahead of today’s Boxing Day fixtures! Liverpool have enjoyed plenty of success over the years on holiday fixtures – here are six of the best, via the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool 3-1 Everton (1949)
Peter Farrell put the visitors ahead after just 15 seconds. But Liverpool, who went into the game top of the table, quickly hit back after half-time. A double from Kevin Baron and a third from Willie Fagan completed the turn around.
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (1978)
United boss Dave Sexton admitted Liverpool were the best team in the country after seeing his side humbled at Old Trafford. Goals from Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case put the reigning European champions in full control, before David Fairclough – making one of his 92 starts – rounded off the result with a brilliant goal.
Liverpool 5-2 Manchester City (1982)
Liverpool moved five points clear of Nottingham Forest with a brilliant win over mid-table Manchester City. Two from Kenny Dalglish either side of a Phil Neal strike won the game for Liverpool before 30 minutes. David Cross pulled one back for City before half-time but Ian Rush and the hat-trick goal from Dalglish made it 5-1. Tommy Caton managed a consolation for City.
Liverpool 3-1 Leeds (1997)
A great Boxing Day for the Reds as they jumped above Leeds United in the table. Michael Owen struck first early in the second-half, Alf-Inge Haaland equalised but two late goals from Robbie Fowler saw the Reds move into fourth.
Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal (2000)
An early drive from outside the area by Steven Gerrard put the Reds in control. In the second half, goals from Michael Owen, Nick Barmby and Robbie Fowler had Anfield jubilant, moving Gerard Houllier’s team within two points of the second-place Gunners.
West Brom 0-5 Liverpool (2004)
Liverpool had made a habit of hammering West Brom and did so here, with John Arne Riise firing in the opener. West Brom then had Cosmin Contra sent off – but Milan Baros missed the resulting penalty. But with the man advantage, Liverpool run the home side ragged in the second 45. Goals from Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Steven Gerrard, Luis Garcia and a second for Riise confirmed just their second away win of the campaign.