Memory Lane Moment - Liverpool 3-1 Olympiakos

It’s easy to forget just how special this freezing night in December 2004 really was. The reds went into the critical sixth game in the Champions League group stages against Olympiakos

Needing to win either 1-0 or by a two-goal margin to qualify for the last 16.
The outcome was all the more remarkable considering the reds started the second half needing three goals leaving Liverpool staring a place in the dreaded UEFA Cup square in the face.

The reds had made a bright start but fell behind against the run of play when the brilliant Rivaldo swept a free kick past Chris Kirkland and despite the immediate goal scoring impact of outstanding half-time substitute Florent Sinima-Pongolle, the sides were still level with just ten minutes to go.

It seemed like it was going to be a case of so close yet so far after the reds had hit the post, seen two goals harshly ruled out and had a host of decent penalty shouts turned down. But just as the critics where sharpening their knives ready to carve into Liverpool’s misfortune, South Yorkshire man Neil Mellor delived a vital goal to send the Kop rolling. Mellor fresh from his match-winning strikes against Arsenal and Middlesbrough, was brought on to replace the clearly unfit and disheartened Milan Baros.
The stage was set for a frantic finish. Anfield railed together into a collective voice. A wall of noise, nerves and expectation tried to suck the ball into the Olympiakos net.

Some things seem just meant to be and when Mellor neatly cushioned Carra’s cross into the path of Gerrard. The captain fired an unstoppable half-volley past Nikopolidis to send a standing Kop into ecstasy, and trigger Andy Gray’s famous commentary speech.

A tense last five minutes ensued but Liverpool held on for a famous and absolutely vital victory in a match that, in many ways, signalled a rebirth for the famous old stadium.

Number 13 John Arne Riise

Position - Defender /Midfielder
DOB – 24/09/1980
Place of Birth –Ålesund, Norway
International Caps - 84
Debut –24/08/2001 (Bayern Munich)
Games for Liverpool - 348 (234 league games)
Goals - 31
Achievements – FA Cup, UEFA Cup, League Cup, Charity shield (2), UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup (2)

John Arne Riise was singed for £4 million from Monaco in 2001. The Norwegian wore Liverpool red over 300 times in his 7 year career. A career that made him a fans favourite after he scored a thunderous goal against arch rivals Manchester United. Riise’s Liverpool career really took of under Rafael Benitez in 2004. Riise was a key member of the team that did the impossible in Istanbul, when Liverpool came from 3-0 down to win on penalties against their Italian counterparts Ac Milan in the UEFA Champions League. Riise’s penalty in the shoot out was saved however he supplyed the cross for Steven Gerrard to head home Liverpool’s first goal on the night. Riise also made history in the League Cup in 2005 when he scored after 45 seconds to give Liverpool the lead against Jose Mourhino’s Chelsea.
The 2006 season was just as good for Riise as he once again scored against Chelsea this time in the FA Cup, he also got over the frustration of missing a penalty in Istanbul as he scored from the spot in the FA Cup final against West Ham United.
Riise went into Liverpool’s top 50 appearance holders of all time when he played in Liverpool’s 5-0 demolition of Luton Town in the FA Cup in January 2008. However Riise Liverpool career was to end on a sour note as he scored an own goal against Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League semi final in 2008. Liverpool where knocked out 4-3 on aggregate.
Riise had struggled to hold down a regular first team place in the 2007-08 season after the introduction of Fábio Aurélio to the Liverpool squad. This paved the way for Riise to move to Italy and Roma.

Why Riise makes it in
My relationship with Riise has been one of love and hate. At times he was unreal. His flaming red hair made him stand out a mile away and his left foot was made you scream shoot when ever he was in the oppositions half. The goal against Manchester United made him a instant hit with the Liverpool fans, myself included. Defensively he wasn’t all there but could still do a solid job and did get better through time. However that own goal against Chelsea that in my eyes cost us our 6th European crown is still unforgivable! So unforgiveable I nearly didn’t put him in the countdown all together, but after i looked through youtube and reminisced over some of the goals he scored and the celebration where he would slide on his knees and lift his shirt over his head.....i had a change of heart.

Number 14 Gary McAllister

Position - Midfield
DOB – 25/12/1964
Place of Birth – Motherwell, Scotland
International Caps - 57
Debut –19/08/2000
Games for Liverpool - 87 (55 league games)
Goals - 9
Achievements – FA Cup, UEFA Cup, League Cup, Charity shield

Gary McAllister also known as the enforcer began his career with Motherwell. He then moved to England to sign for Leicester City. However it was the move to Leeds United in 1990 where Gary McAllister began to make name for himself. Leeds had just on promotion into the top tier of English football and with the help of McAllister Leeds finished 4th. Things really got moving in his second season as part of a dynamic midfield containing Gary Speed, David Batty and Gordon Strachan and the forward presence of Eric Cantona Leeds fired their way to the league title.
McAllister left Leeds United for Coventry City in 1996. He spent four seasons and captained the side during his time there. McAllister was voted Coventry City’s player of the season in his final year in 1999-2000.
McAllister’s Liverpool career began in 2000 after he signed under the bosman rulling. The deal was seen as a surprise as McAllister was now 35 years old, however his class and qualities as a footballer where clear for all to see. During the 2000-2001 season McAllister was a useful weapon across any part of midfield and helped Liverpool win the treble that season. McAllister came on as a sub in the FA Cup final against Arsenal and help turn the game in Liverpool’s favour. Goals from Michael Owen won Liverpool the FA Cup that season. A few days later Gary McAllister was voted man of the match during the UEFA Cup final against Deportivo Alaves. During the game McAllister scored one of the goals and was involved in the other 3 of Liverpool’s 5 goals, including delivering the cross that led to the golden goal in extra time.
Gary McAllister left Liverpool in 2002 to take up a player manager status at Coventry City.

Why Gary McAllister makes it in!
Gary Macca eases his way into the countdown because he is just simply class. His ability to pick a pass and strike a dead ball was unreal. Moments that stick in my mind include the goals and creativity in Dortmund during the UEFA Cup final and that 45 yard free kick in the Merseyside derby against Everton. I have no doubt that Macca helped guide a young Steven Gerrard as well. His experience was key to Liverpool’s historic treble.

Number 15 Stan Collymore

Position - Striker
DOB – 22/01/1971
Place of Birth – Stone, England
International Caps - 2
Debut –Sheffield Wednesday 19/08/1995
Games for Liverpool - 81 (61 league games)
Goals - 35
Achievements –

Collymore got his big break at Stafford Rangers after being rejected by Walsall and Wolves. He was sold to Crystal Palace for £100,000 in 1990. Two years later Collymore was on his way to Southend for £80,000. It was at Southend where he discovered his scoring boots and managed 18 goals in 33 games.
In 1993, Nottingham Forest splashed out £2.2million for Stanley Victor Collymore. Collymore looked at home in the City Ground scoring 19 goals in 28 league games in the First division as Forest were promoted. Collymore continued to impress in the Premier League as he netted 22 league goals and Forest finished 3rd. In the summer of 1995 Collymore made his England debut and a month later he had joined Liverpool for a British record of £8.5million. It looked almost certain at one point that he would sign for Manchester United. However the decision made by Roy Evans to sign Collymore was seen as a coup at the time for Liverpool. Stan Collymore scored on his debut for the reds against Sheffield Wednesday.
Collymore’s impact at Liverpool was frightening. He had an immediately impact as he and his strike partner Robbie Fowler, scored a combined total of 55 goals in the 1995-96 season. Collymore had a record of a goal every other game and forced aging striker and Liverpool legend Ian Rush out of the first team.
Collymore scored the winner in the memorable 4-3 win over Newcastle United in 1996. The injury time winner was voted the best moment in Sky Sports first 10 years by the channels viewers.
Collymore and Fowler scored 47 goals in their second season.
In 1997 following the introduction of Michael Owen to the first team Stan the man was sold to his boyhood team Aston Villa in a £7 million deal.

Why Stan Collymore makes it in!
Collymore makes it into the countdown because during a time when the ‘spice boy’ culture was rife at Liverpool Collymore always distanced himself from it. Although he had his off the field incident on the pitch Stan the man lived up to his reputation. His left foot was like a cannon and when he aimed it he had no problem smashing the ball into the back of the net. Another reason is that 4-3 game agasint Newcastle. Atlhough im not basicing this countdown on one game, that game is so important to me, i can’t help have a soft spot for Collymore. Also at that time Liverpool mostly a white team Stan was the only mixed race player. That made him appeal to me in a different way from the other players. I still loved them all but it felt like I could love Collymore in a different way. I wasnt sad to see him go though and the 7million we got from Aston Villa was a good deal.