Retro Reds: The King is crowned
The second edition of a special anniversary series celebrating memorable games in the club's 125 years premieres tonight.
Retro Reds, which launched on LFCTV last month, digs into the archives to feature extended highlights of some of the standout fixtures of the past century and a quarter.
Episode two takes us back to the climax of the 1986 First Division campaign and a day to rival any in Kenny Dalglish's illustrious story, as he guided Liverpool to the title with his mind and his feet.
There is also a flashback to an eight-goal thriller from a decade earlier, when Bob Paisley's side edged Stoke City at Anfield in a season that yielded league glory and UEFA Cup success.
Tune in to Retro Reds at 8pm BST this evening on official club channel LFCTV or catch up on demand with LFCTV GO.
And for a reminder of why these matches made the cut, read on...
Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool, May 1986
There are iconic moments in football and then there are moments crystallised in history.
And in a career laden with defining days, surely few can better May 3, 1986 for Kenny Dalglish.
In his maiden season as the club's player-manager, Liverpool had surged from the wilderness of an eight-point deficit behind neighbours Everton in late February to wrestle back control of the championship's destiny.
Chelsea stood in their way on the final afternoon, Stamford Bridge the setting for a possible coronation.
Fittingly, the boss sealed it himself. And with a piece of sublime technique to match the significance too, his deft chested touch and a firm low volley sending the ball inside the far post.
Dalglish lifted his arms high into the air, a grin forming across his face as he wheeled away to celebrate.
His Reds would not be denied.
The final whistle confirmed what had appeared implausible just months earlier - Everton overhauled, Liverpool champions, Kenny's army crowned.
Liverpool 5-3 Stoke City, April 1976
The great sports teams must know how to win in a variety of ways, and Bob Paisley's charges of 1976 showed they could to reach the summit of English football in style.
That Reds vintage had shown they could lean on the strength of their resolve by recording six consecutive league clean sheets in the weeks before Stoke City pitched up at Anfield.
That run came shuddering to a halt on the half-hour, though, as the confident visitors - who had already created and squandered several chances - pierced the Liverpool defence, Ray Clemence beaten by Terry Conroy's low drive.
But the Potters had prodded a beast.
The hosts were thankful for a fortuitous penalty call which handed Phil Neal the opportunity to level from 12 yards, but from there the goals flowed - courtesy of John Toshack, Ray Kennedy, Emlyn Hughes and David Fairclough - to ensure Stoke's response's were immaterial in the final outcome: 5-3.
The result crucially lifted Liverpool above Queens Park Rangers and to the top of the division with two games remaining. It was a position they would not relinquish.
