As Roma 1 v 1 Liverpool

Defying the odds Liverpool defeated the Italian champions in their own stadium to become only the second club to win the European Cup more than three times. For the second time in four years, left back Alan Kennedy was the unlikely hero, scoring the clinching penalty in a dramatic shoot that contained more excitement than the game itself.

It had been a tremendous first season in charge for Joe Fagan as he led the Reds to a third successive league title and fourth successive League Cup. On the European trail, Liverpool won all four of their away games on the road to the final, which UEFA ridiculously allowed to go ahead in Roma's own stadium.

However, if the players were nervous, they weren't showing it. Before the game captain Graeme Souness had insisted the players walk right around the pitch in front of the Roma fans and in the tunnel, they sang Chris Rea songs before emerging into the arena. The Reds then took to the field to a mass of smoke bombs and a huge flag of the European Cup that must have covered as many as 4,000 fans.

On 17 minutes Liverpool took the lead when Roma made a complete hash of trying to clear Craig Johnston's cross. The attempted clearance only bounced off their keeper Tancredi into the path of Phil Neal who smashed the ball into an unguarded net. Soon afterwards, Graeme Souness scored what appeared to be a second but it was ruled out for offside. Roma were then forced to come out of their shell and attacked Liverpool more, Grobbelaar making a near post save from Graziani, but despite this the Reds seemed to be in control of the game. Just before half time however Roma's persistence was rewarded when Pruzzo headed home a Conti cross.

The second half and the subsequent period of extra time was very much a non event. Roma had the balance in the first period after the restart but the Reds earned a draw due to solid teamwork rather than individual brilliance, becoming more assertive as the game went on. The threat of the Brazilians, Cereco and Falcao was stamped out by Souness and Lee as Roma were reduced to long balls to Conti, not wanting to try anything too much more adventurous due to the fear of defeat. Kenny Dalglish had struggled to impose himself and was replaced by Michael Robinson for an extra time period that fizzled out, although in the final minutes Grobbelaar saved from Conti and Nicol went close.

Before the lottery of penalties, Joe Fagan told the players that he was proud of what they had achieved so far and that nobody could legislate for what would happen from then on. A few days before the final, the first team had been beaten 5-0 by the youth team in a penalty competition so Joe wasn't too confident. He did have one piece of advice for keeper Grobbelaar however, to try and put the Italians off.

Young Steve Nicol was first to kick, deciding that he would rather get his out of the way first. Unfortunately he blazed over the bar before Di Bartolemi scored his to put Roma in the driving seat. Then it came to the crazy antics of Grobbelaar, as he wobbled his legs on the line causing Conti to miss. Souness, Neal and Rush all converted their kicks to the keepers right and Righetti scored for Roma, but Grobbelaar's antics then succeeded in causing Grazioli send his penalty over the bar. This meant that Alan Kennedy knew he would win the cup for Liverpool if he was successful.

Asking Kennedy to convert a penalty was easier said then done. He had only ever taken two before in pre season tournaments and missed them both. However, he felt confident and relaxed, assured in the knowledge that even if he missed, Roma still had to score theirs to draw level. His teammates didn't share the same optimism however.

Back in the centre circle some couldn't look while others were arguing over who'd take the sixth and seventh kicks. They had no need to worry however, as Kennedy's side foot kick went into the top left corner of the net, sending Tancredi the wrong way. He turned around and ran to the bench, doing a fairly ridiculous jump along the way. Nobody cared however, Liverpool were European champions for the fourth time achieving what had seemed impossible.

Roma were very ungracious in defeat. Their coach Nils Liedholm claimed Tancredi was fouled when the Reds scored, but Joe Fagan wasn't interested. As far as he was concerned, the referee made a decision and that stood. Their fans weren't amused either, firing rockets at the Reds supporters and hunting them down outside the stadium. Even 18 years on, they still don't appear to have forgiven Liverpool for robbing them of 'their cup', while attempts at revenge on the pitch have only led to more disppointment.

Liverpool: Grobbelaar, Neal, Kennedy, Lawrenson, Whelan, Hansen, Dalglish ( Robinson ), Lee, Rush, Johnston ( Nicol ), Souness

Att: 69,693

Scorers: Neal 14
Liverpool won 4:2 on penalties - scorers: Neal, Souness, Rush, Kennedy