Remembering Liverpools 21st Century FA Cup finals
Liverpool boast a proud history in the FA Cup having won the world’s most nostalgic knockout domestic competition on seven occasions.
Since first lifting the cup in the 1964/67 season, the Reds have regained the silverware at least once in every following decade.
The Anfield faithful will therefore be hoping for another successful cup run this season when they begin their campaign against Exeter City.
And FA Cup betting at the time of writing places Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League giants at 4/9 to progress past their League Two opponents as they seek another road to Wembley.
The aim for Liverpool is to build on their FA Cup history and, here, we remember their most recent final experiences in the 21st Century, which have ended in both success and failure.
LIVERPOOL 2 ARSENAL 1 – 2000/01 – MILLENNIUM STADIUM
This was the season in which Liverpool were unstoppable in cup competitions as they completed a famous treble of the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup (Europa League). But it was not without drama and their FA Cup final win over Arsenal is the stuff of legend.
Having been dominated by Arsenal, who took a deserved lead in the 72nd minute through Freddie Ljungberg, Liverpool produced an incredible, late turnaround. Michael Owen scored in the 83rd and 88th minute to break Arsenal hearts and win the cup for Liverpool. The striker’s second goal in particular will forever be remembered as a final classic.
LIVERPOOL 3 WEST HAM 3 (LIVERPOOL WIN ON PENALTIES) – 2005/06 – MILLENNIUM STADIUM
This game is best remembered as ‘The Gerrard Final’. This was a non-stop thriller from start to finish and Liverpool once again won in dramatic fashion. Trailing 2-0 to a Jamie Carragher own goal and another goal from Dean Ashton, Liverpool pulled one back before half-time through Djibril Cisse courtesy of an assist from captain Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard then equalised shortly after half-time at 2-2 but West Ham appeared to have won the game through Paul Konchesky with less than half-an-hour remaining. Gerrard, though, had other ideas and struck arguably the best FA Cup final goal in history to make it 3-3 in added time. The scores remained the same after extra time before Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina was the hero in the penalty shootout.
LIVERPOOL 1 CHELSEA 2 – 2011/12 – WEMBLEY
Having won the League Cup earlier in this season, Liverpool returned to Wembley with high hopes but it was not to be as they lost to Chelsea. The two teams had developed a fierce rivalry in the 21st Century and it was the Stamford Bridge outfit who came out on top this time to leave Liverpool devastated.
Managed by Kenny Dalglish, who had previously won the FA Cup with Liverpool as a manager and a player, the script seemed set for another dose of the famous cup’s romance.
Chelsea, though, were the better team and secured the win through goals from Ramires in the 11th minute and club legend Didier Drogba in the 52nd minute. Andy Carroll scored for Liverpool in the 64th minute but there was no comeback as Chelsea secured the silverware.