In the list of all-time Premier League classics, Liverpool’s dramatic last-minute win against Newcastle United in 1996 certainly ranks as one of the best.
Before the match, both teams still had a chance of catching Manchester United and winning the league.
Interestingly enough though, it was Kevin Keegan’s side that were famously 10 points ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team at Christmas, but managed to bottle it.
This made the Liverpool victory even sweeter coming against a close rival.
Although, ironically, they handed the title over to arch rivals United, even if it wasn’t intentional.
Prolific Fowler
The game started at pace, as Stan Collymore swivelled before crossing for strike partner Robbie Fowler, and the goal machine nodded at the back post for his 34th goal of the season.
Faustino Asprilla then teed up Les Ferdinand who struck home for the equaliser.
Both England strikers getting the opening goals.
The visitors then hit the Reds on the counter-attack, as Ferdinand quickly swept the ball to David Ginola who slammed in a fine finish to put Newcastle 2-1 up.
Midfielder Jamie Redknapp then hit a thunderbolt from 30 yards which nearly hit the back of the net.
Then it was Magpies ace Rob Lee’s turn to close, as he burst into the box, only to be denied by keeper David James.
Steve McManaman whipped in a fine corner kick only for defender John Scales’ leaping header to be kept out by the gloves of Pavel Srníček.
Twinkle toes from McManaman on the wing saw him set up Fowler who finished sublimely to make it 2-2 and the match was once again, evenly poised.
Beardsley and Lee then combined to carve through the Liverpool defence like a knife through butter, and James somehow decided to come off his line and out of his box.
There would be only one outcome as Asprilla prodded past the Reds keeper to put the Geordies 3-2 up.
In the 68th minute it was then 3-3 as Jason McAteer crossed for Collymore to tap in to the rapturous applause of the home fans.
Former Red Keegan left fuming
Newcastle then lumped the ball forward to Ferdinand who turned and swivelled and had a chance to win the match, but was denied by the chest of James.
John Barnes then danced into the penalty box but Srníček made an outstanding diving save.
But it was Collymore that won it as he slammed the ball in following fine work by Rush and Barnes as Anfield erupted and Liverpool stole the points, and deal a big blow to their title rivals.
In short, this was a match for the ages and whether it be highlights, or the full 90 minutes, it is worth a watch.
An absolute Premier League 90s classic.
Top Four Battle
Fast forward to 2023 and we had the makings of a new modern thriller in the form of Liverpool – Spurs.
And the home team made a lightening quick start, as Mohamed Salah laid the ball off to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who put in an exquisite delivery at the back stick for the in-form Curtis Jones to stroke in left-footed for an easy finish.
1-0 Liverpool after just three minutes played.
Lately, boss Jurgen Klopp has showered praise on Jones who has been a revelation in the team of late.
Walking into the starting line-up and securing a place as his own, and the goal showed his confidence.
Salah and Cody Gakpo combined to tee up Colombian Luis Díaz, who swivelled and slammed in, to continue his impressive return from a long injury absence.
Two goals in five minutes, it really was rock n’ roll football from Liverpool.
A nasty tackle from Christian Romero on Gakpo saw the Reds awarded a penalty by referee Paul Tierney.
A confident looking Salah rifled down the middle past Fraser Forster with ease.
3-0 and cruising.
Richarlison and Jota strikes create last minute drama
But Spurs launched an incredible Liverpool Istanbul style comeback.
Interim manager Ryan Mason saw his team play a fine attacking move, which resulted in Ivan Perisic leaving Virgil van Dijk on the floor in a daze, crossing for captain Harry Kane who volleyed past Alisson nutmegging him in the process.
The hosts looked comfortable at 3-1 at half-time, but the visitors began to settle into the game.
First, Son Heung-Min crashed a curling long-distance drive against the post.
Then Kane crossed for Romero who also struck the base of the post as Spurs were again denied by the woodwork.
Some slack defending from Klopp’s men saw the deficit reduced as Son swept in one on one to set up a tense finish.
And Liverpool was seemingly left heart-broken after 90 minutes plus three as Richarlison headed in Son’s free-kick at the death, the ball looping over the head of his fellow countryman Alisson.
But, PLOT TWIST, Alisson hoofed the ball up top, and again his countryman Lucas Moura sloppily played the ball back to Diogo Jota who ran onto it like a cat before finishing with aplomb into the bottom corner for a sublime 94th minute winner.
And just like the 1996 win against Newcastle, Liverpool stole the points.
Final Verdict
So, which was better?
On the one hand I am tempted to say the latest Liverpool – Spurs, simply because there were two last minute goals and they really pulled it out the hat at the end.
But you could also argue, that in going 3-0 up at the beginning, it was no real contest at that stage.
It was only in the final 20 minutes or so it really got going in levels of excitement and how competitive it got.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s 4-3 victory against Newcastle saw them 1-0 ahead and come from behind twice at 2-1 and 3-2 down.
And just the drama of Collymore’s last ditch winner, for me, this match is still the one to beat and one of the best wins in the club’s history.
If you haven’t watched it, I hope I’ve now convinced you.