On This Day: Liverpool win the League Cup, 1995
The start of a golden era
A trophy and a place in the top four? Why, ambassador, you spoil us. Of course, finishing fourth back then only meant a place in the Europa League UEFA Cup – although that was actually worth winning then – while winning a trophy meant much more than it does now. Well done football!
This was the only trophy that Liverpool won under Roy Evans, who only managed to properly challenge for the title in the 1996-97 season at Anfield, but strangely a side containing David James, Phil Babb and Neil Ruddock never truly had the solidity required to win the league. Funny, that. Highlights of the 2-1 win over Wembley should be compulsory viewing for Stewart Downing. Look Stewie – a Liverpool winger who can run with the ball, beat his man and score two goals. Steve McManaman really was a very good player.
First Division Bolton, who got a consolation thanks to Alan Thompson, would be back at Wembley a month later though, when they would win a thrilling play-off final 4-2 against Reading in extra-time after coming back from two goals down.
BONUS TRACK: This isn’t the greatest date in Bolton’s history though. Twelve years ago they were back at Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa and looked all set to go through, until Dean Holdsworth did this in extra-time. They eventually lost on penalties.
Photo courtesy of the good people at Well Offside.
