European Cup, Quarter Final 1st Leg
March 21st 1984
Liverpool stunned a partisan crowd in the Stadium of Light with a master display after a narrow first leg win at Anfield, although one of the Liverpool side had thought for a moment that the Reds had a vast army of travelling support with them. Sven Goran Erikson, who was then coach of the Portuguese side could do nothing but watch and learn for the future as his team was torn apart by a Kenny Dalglish inspired Reds.
The first leg at Anfield had been a tight affair, Ian Rush scoring the only goal after 67 minutes. Benfica, who had been UEFA Cup finalists a year earlier, were confident of overturning the deficit in front of their own supporters and the stadium was full of flag waving fanatics several hours before kick off. However, as the Liverpool team went out to do their pre match warm up Alan Kennedy was confused at the number of Red flags being waved and had to seek verification from Rush as to what colour the home side played in.
Liverpool played with Rush as a lone striker, with Kenny Dalglish dropping deeper. They had to withstand some early pressure, but after just ten minutes were gifted a goal on their first attack, when keeper Bento fumbled Ronnie Whelan's header and it went through his legs into the net. After 33 minutes he Reds went 2-0 up when Craig Johnston scored from outside the area after collecting a Dalglish pass.
Johnston's goal had meant that Benfica now needed four goals to win the tie and bombarded the Reds in the 2nd half but to little effect. Knowing their was no coming back, the Portuguese fans began burning their flags but they were given some hope on 74 minutes when Nene scored with a looping header.
Within five minutes however, Rush emphasised Liverpool's superiority when he met Dalglish's cross with a header so powerful that Bento dived after the ball had hit the back of the net. The rout was completed a minute from time when Whelan scored his second and Liverpool's fourth after being put through by Dalglish.
Although the win wasn't Liverpool's biggest away from home in Europe, it was the best margin achieved against a professional side. Following this they overcame Romanian champions Dinamo Bucharest before winning the final against Roma on penalties.
Liverpool: Grobbelaar, Neal, Kennedy, Lawrenson, Whelan, Hansen, Dalglish, Lee, Rush, Johnston, Souness
Att: 70,000
Scorers: Whelan 10,89, Johnston 33, Rush 79
