1972/73: Reds reach European goal

Liverpool FC 3-0 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach
(Keegan 21 32, Lloyd 61)
VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-0 Liverpool FC
(Heynckes 29 40)
(agg: 3-2 to Liverpool)

It was 1973 before Liverpool FC joined the European roll of honour with victory over VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach in the UEFA Cup final. Even then, however, they needed an action replay to project their domestic dominance on to the continental scene. Wins against Eintracht Frankfurt, AEK Athens, Dynamo Berlin, 1. FC Dynamo Dresden and Tottenham Hotspur FC, on away goals in the semi-finals, had carried Bill Shankly's men through.

The campaign had also hardened them for battle against German sides, of whom Mönchengladbach, along with FC Bayern München, were the exemplar. 1. FC Köln and 1. FC Kaiserslautern would say ja to that, having given way to Hennes Weisweiler's team in successive rounds. FC Twente then subsided 5-1 on aggregate in the last four. Not so Liverpool.

Not after manager Shankly had added John Toshack to his line-up for the replayed final first leg at Anfield after a waterlogged pitch had forced an abandonment. When the action resumed the next day, the Welshman's height caused havoc in the Mönchengladbach defence, allowing Kevin Keegan to score twice and Larry Lloyd once in a 3-0 triumph. It was a knockout blow, although, to their credit, VfL revived to win the return 2-0 with goals from Jupp Heynckes.