1993–94 Liverpool F.C. season
The 1993–94 Liverpool F.C. season was the 102nd season in the club's existence, and their 32nd consecutive year in the top-flight.
| 1993–94 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman |  David Moores | ||
| Manager |  Graeme Souness (to 28 January 1994) Roy Evans (from 31 January 1994) | ||
| Stadium | Anfield | ||
| FA Premier League | 8th | ||
| FA Cup | Third round | ||
| League Cup | Fourth round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ian Rush (14) All: Ian Rush (19) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 44,601 (v Newcastle United, League, 16 Apr) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 12,541 (v Fulham, League Cup, 5 Oct) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 35,847 | ||
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Manager Graeme Souness resigned on 29 January 1994 after just under three years in charge following a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Bristol City, and he was succeeded by long serving coach Roy Evans, who guided the Reds to eighth place in the final table.
The season began with the arrival of two notable new players, striker Nigel Clough and defender Neil Ruddock. A month into the season, Liverpool signed defender Julian Dicks from West Ham United, with defender David Burrows and midfielder Mike Marsh heading to East London as part of the deal. January saw the departure of striker Ronny Rosenthal to Tottenham Hotspur. It was the last season at Anfield for long-serving goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and midfielder Ronnie Whelan, who had both been at the club for well over a decade and signed for Southampton and Southend United respectively. Less high-profile departure during and after the season were midfielder Don Hutchison, defender Torben Piechnik and goalkeeper Mike Hooper.
Teenage striker Robbie Fowler made his debut early in the season and scored all five goals in a League Cup tie against Fulham in one of his first senior games, and by the end of the season had scored 12 goals in the league and 18 in all competitions to oust Nigel Clough as the regular partner of Ian Rush.
The famous Spion Kop was demolished at the end of the season to make way for a new all-seater stand as Premier League clubs had to have all-seater stadiums for the 1994–95 season in line with the Taylor Report.
This season covered the period from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 1994.
Players
First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Youth squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers
In
| # | Pos | Player | From | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | FW | Nigel Clough | Nottingham Forest | £2,275,000 | 07-06-1993 |
| 25 | DF | Neil Ruddock | Tottenham Hotspur | £2,500,000 | 22-07-1993 |
| 3 | DF | Julian Dicks | West Ham United | Player exchange | 17-09-1993 |
Out
| # | Pos | Player | To | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | MF |  István Kozma | Újpest | Free | 01-06-1993 |
| 3 | DF | David Burrows | West Ham United | Player exchange | 17-09-1993 |
| 21 | MF | Mike Marsh | West Ham United | Player exchange | 17-09-1993 |
| 24 | GK | Mike Hooper | Newcastle United | £550,000 | 23-09-1993 |
| 18 | FW |  Ronny Rosenthal | Tottenham Hotspur | £250,000 | 26-01-1994 |
Loaned in
| # | Pos | Player | From | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | GK | Mark Gayle | Crewe Alexandra | 25-02-1994 | 30-06-1994 |
Competitions
Premier League
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wimbledon | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 56 | 53 | +3 | 65 | |
| 7 | Sheffield Wednesday | 42 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 76 | 54 | +22 | 64 | |
| 8 | Liverpool | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 59 | 55 | +4 | 60 | |
| 9 | Queens Park Rangers | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 62 | 61 | +1 | 60 | |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 46 | 50 | −4 | 57 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[lower-alpha 1] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
- Aston Villa qualified for the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners.
Matches
| 14 August 1993 1 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Clough  39, 47' |
Report | Palmer  13' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,004 Referee: Gerald Ashby (Worcester) |
| 18 August 1993 2 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–3 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Wilkins 25' Ready  S. Barker |
Report | Rush 20' Nicol 39' Clough 43' Bjørnebye |
Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 19,635 Referee: Paul Durkin (Isle of Portland) |
| 22 August 1993 3 | Swindon Town | 0–5 | Liverpool | Swindon |
| 16:00 | Summerbee |
Report | Ruddock 19' McManaman 36', 61'Whelan 70' Marsh 81' Jones |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 17,017 Referee: Philip Don (Hanworth Park) |
| 25 August 1993 4 | Liverpool | 1–2 | Tottenham Hotspur | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Clough 18' |
Report | Sheringham 30' (pen.), 45+1' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,456 Referee: Keren Barratt |
| 28 August 1993 5 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Leeds United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Rush 24' Mølby 39' (pen.) |
Report | N. Whelan |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,068 Referee: Robbie Hart (Darlington) |
| 1 September 1993 6 | Coventry City | 1–0 | Liverpool | Coventry |
| 19:45 | Babb 21' Boland |
Report | Jones 68'  88' R. Whelan Ruddock |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 16,740 Referee: Keith Burge (Tonypandy) |
| 12 September 1993 7 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Blackburn Rovers | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Jones |
Report | Newell 54' Berg Warhurst Ripley Le Saux |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 37,355 Referee: Mike Reed (Birmingham) |
| 18 September 1993 8 | Everton | 2–0 | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Ward 27' Cottee 85' Ebbrell |
Report | R. Whelan Redknapp Clough |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 38,157 Referee: David Elleray (Harrow) |
| 25 September 1993 9 | Chelsea | 1–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Shipperley 49' Wise |
Report | Ruddock Redknapp P. Stewart |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 31,271 Referee: Keith Hackett (Sheffield) |
| 2 October 1993 10 | Liverpool | 0–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,750 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 16 October 1993 11 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Oldham Athletic | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 87' Barlow 90+1' (o.g.) |
Report | Beckford 73' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,661 Referee: Alan Wilkie (Chester-le-Street) |
| 23 October 1993 12 | Manchester City | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| 15:00 | White 66' |
Report | Rush 89' |
Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 30,403 Referee: Martin Bodenham (Looe) |
| 30 October 1993 13 | Liverpool | 4–2 | Southampton | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Fowler 14, 29, 85' Rush 63' |
Report | Le Tissier 40', 78' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,818 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 6 November 1993 14 | Liverpool | 2–0 | West Ham United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Clough 67' Martin 83' (o.g.) |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,254 Referee: Keren Barratt |
| 21 November 1993 15 | Newcastle | 3–0 | Liverpool | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 16:00 | Cole 5', 16', 30' |
Report | Stadium: St. James' Park Attendance: 36,374 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 28 November 1993 16 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Aston Villa | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Fowler 45' Redknapp 62' |
Report | Atkinson 53' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,484 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 4 December 1993 17 | Sheffield Wednesday | 3–1 | Liverpool | Sheffield |
| 15:00 | Ruddock 30' (o.g.) Wright 58' (o.g.) Bright 80' |
Report | Fowler 37' |
Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 32,177 Referee: Jim Borrett |
| 8 December 1993 18 | Liverpool | 3–2 | Queens Park Rangers | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Barnes 25' Rush 32' Mølby 79' (pen.) |
Report | Ferdinand 10' Barker 46' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 24,561 Referee: Vic Callow |
| 11 December 1993 19 | Liverpool | 2–2 | Swindon Town | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Barnes 71' Wright 86' |
Report | Moncur 60' Scott 74' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,739 Referee: K Morton (Bury St. Edmunds) |
| 18 December 1993 20 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–3 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Samways 37' Edinburgh 53'Hazard 69' (pen.) Caskey 76' |
Report | Fowler 48', 54' (pen.) Redknapp 51'Harkness 69' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 31,394 Referee: Robbie Hart |
| 26 December 1993 21 | Sheffield United | 0–0 | Liverpool | Sheffield |
| 12:00 | Hoyland |
Report | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 22,932 Referee: Alan Wilkie (Crewe) |
| 28 December 1993 22 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Scales 27' (o.g.) |
Report | Fashanu 40' McAllister |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,232 Referee: Keith Cooper (Pontypridd) |
| 1 January 1994 23 | Ipswich Town | 1–2 | Liverpool | Ipswich |
| 15:00 | Marshall 75' |
Report | Ruddock 57' Rush 88' |
Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 22,355 Referee: Allan Gunn (South Chailey) |
| 4 January 1994 24 | Liverpool | 3–3 | Manchester United | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Clough 25', 38' Ruddock 79' |
Report | Bruce 9' Giggs 20' Irwin 24'Ince Keane |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,795 Referee: Philip Don |
| 15 January 1994 25 | Oldham Athletic | 0–3 | Liverpool | Oldham |
| 15:00 | Report | Dicks 47' Fowler 54' Redknapp 81' |
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 14,573 Referee: John Lloyd (Wrexham) |
| 22 January 1994 26 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Manchester City | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Rush 22', 90+1' |
Report | Griffiths 4' Rocastle |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,872 Referee: Roger Milford (Bristol) |
| 5 February 1994 27 | Norwich City | 2–2 | Liverpool | Norwich |
| 15:00 | Sutton 12', 63' Gunn 89' |
Report | Culverhouse 53' (o.g.) Barnes 77' |
Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 19,746 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 14 February 1994 28 | Southampton | 4–2 | Liverpool | Southampton |
| 20:00 | Le Tissier 1', 43' (pen.), 49' (pen.) Maskell 6' |
Report | Dicks 68' (pen.) Rush 86' |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 18,306 Referee: Peter Foakes (Clacton-on-Sea) |
| 19 February 1994 29 | Leeds United | 2–0 | Liverpool | Leeds |
| 15:00 | Wetherall 10' McAllister 87' |
Report | Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 40,053 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 26 February 1994 30 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Coventry City | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Rush 3' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,457 Referee: David Elleray |
| 5 March 1994 31 | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Liverpool | Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Wilcox 17' Sherwood 65' |
Report | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 20,831 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 14 March 1994 32 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Everton | Liverpool |
| 17:00 | Rush 22' Fowler 44' |
Report | Watson 20' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,281 Referee: Keith Cooper (Pontypridd) |
| 19 March 1994 33 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Chelsea | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Rush 8' Burley 19' (o.g.) |
Referee | Burley 50' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,629 Referee: Rodger Gifford (Mid Glamorgan) |
| 26 March 1994 34 | Arsenal | 1–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Merson 47' |
Report | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 35,556 Referee: Robbie Hart |
| 30 March 1994 35 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| 20:00 | Ince 37' |
Report | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 44,751 Referee: Keith Hackett |
| 2 April 1994 36 | Liverpool | 1–2 | Sheffield United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Rush 4' |
Report | J. Flo 46', 72' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,642 Referee: Terry Holbrook (West Midlands) |
| 4 April 1994 37 | Wimbledon | 1–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Elkins 90+1' |
Report | Redknapp 65' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 13,819 Referee: Jim Borrett |
| 9 April 1994 38 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Ipswich Town | Liverpool |
| 11:30 | Dicks 75' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 30,485 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 16 April 1994 39 | Liverpool | 0–2 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Report | Lee 4' Cole 56' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,601 Referee: Philip Don |
| 23 April 1994 40 | West Ham United | 1–2 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 | Allen 1' |
Report | Fowler 13' Rush 88' |
Stadium: Boleyn Ground Attendance: 26,096 Referee: Stephen Lodge (Barnsley) |
| 30 April 1994 41 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Norwich City | Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Report | Goss 35' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,339 Referee: Brian Hill (Kettering) |
| 7 May 1994 42 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Liverpool | Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Yorke 65', 81' |
Report | Fowler 17' |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 45,347 Referee: Keith Burge |
FA Cup
Matches
| 19 January 1994 1 Third round | Bristol City | 1–1 | Liverpool | Bristol |
| Allison 73' |
Report | Rush 63' |
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 21,718 |
| 25 January 1994 Third round replay | Liverpool | 0–1 | Bristol City | Liverpool |
| Report | Tinnion 66' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,720 |
1 Game re-arranged from 8 January; original tie abandoned due to floodlight failure
League Cup
Matches
| 22 September 1993 Second round first leg | Fulham | 1–3 | Liverpool | London |
| 19:45 | Farrell 62' |
Report | Rush 19' Clough 40' Fowler 83' |
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 13,599 Referee: Paul Danson (Leicestershire) |
| 5 October 1993 Second round second leg | Liverpool | 5–0 | Fulham | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Fowler 13', 40', 47', 55', 70' |
Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 12,541 Referee: Alan Dawson |
| 27 October 1993 Third round | Liverpool | 3–2 | Ipswich Town | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Rush 1', 16', 64' |
Report | Marshall 22' Mason 77' (pen) |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 19,058 Referee: John Lloyd |
| 1 December 1993 Fourth round | Liverpool | 1–1 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
| 19:45 | Mølby 15' (pen) |
Report | Earle 84' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 19,290 Referee: Roger Dilkes (Mossley) |
| 14 December 1993 Fourth round replay | Wimbledon | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Liverpool | London |
| 20:00 | Holdsworth 18' Earle 75' |
Report | Ruddock 38' Segers 90+3' (o.g.)Barnes  96' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 11,343 Referee: Howard King (Merthyr Tydfil) |
| Penalties | ||||
Fashanu  Holdsworth Jones McAllister Ardley |
Ruddock Redknapp Barnes Walters Fowler |
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Statistics
Goalscorers
| Rank | No. | Pos | Nat | Name | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | FW | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} |
Ian Rush | 14 | 1 | 4 | 19 |
| 2 | 23 | FW | |
Robbie Fowler | 12 | 0 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 | 7 | MF | |
Nigel Clough | 7 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | 15 | MF | |
Jamie Redknapp | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 25 | DF | |
Neil Ruddock | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| 6 | 3 | DF | |
Julian Dicks | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | MF | |
John Barnes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| 14 | MF |  |
Jan Mølby | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | |
| 9 | 17 | MF | |
Steve McManaman | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | 4 | DF | |
Steve Nicol | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | DF | |
Mark Wright | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 12 | MF |  |
Ronnie Whelan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 21 | MF | |
Mike Marsh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Own goal | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| Totals | 59 | 1 | 14 | 74 | ||||
Competition top scorers
| Competition | Result | Top scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 8th | Ian Rush, 14 |
| FA Cup | Third Round | Ian Rush, 1 |
| League Cup | Fourth Round | Robbie Fowler, 6 |
| Overall | Ian Rush, 19 |
Events of the season
August
After Paul Stewart's first season at Anfield had been plagued by injury and loss of form, manager Graeme Souness paid £2.275 million for Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Clough as strike-partner to Ian Rush in hope of getting Liverpool challenging for the title again. He also boosted the centre of defence with a £2.5 million move for Tottenham Hotspur's Neil Ruddock.
Clough made an excellent start to his Liverpool career, scoring two goals on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in a 2–0 home win on the opening day of the Premier League season. He was also on the scoresheet (along with Ian Rush and Steve Nicol) four days later when the Reds beat Queens Park Rangers 3–1 at Loftus Road. Liverpool recorded a three-match winning start to the season on 22 August when they crushed newly promoted Swindon Town 5–0 at the County Ground. Steve McManaman was on target twice, with the other goals coming from Neil Ruddock, Ronnie Whelan and Mike Marsh. There was a setback three days later when Liverpool were beaten 2–1 at home by Tottenham, but the month ended on a winning note with a 2–0 home win over Leeds United. The Reds were now second behind Manchester United (the defending champions) in the Premier League, and manager Graeme Souness was hopeful of saving his job by bringing the league title back to Anfield sooner rather than later.[1]
September
After an excellent August, the Reds fell to earth in September as all four of their Premier League games ended in defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers at Anfield, Coventry City at Highfield Road, Everton at Goodison Park and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.[2] This dragged the Reds from second to 13th place in the Premier League.[3]
The only positive note that month came in the Football League Cup second-round first leg at Craven Cottage, in which the Reds beat Fulham 3–1, with Ian Rush and Nigel Clough getting on the scoresheet along with 18-year-old Robbie Fowler, who scored his first goal for the club.
September saw the arrival at Anfield of West Ham United defender Julian Dicks, who was signed in part exchange for David Burrows and Mike Marsh.
October
The Reds pulled together after a disastrous September, holding Arsenal to a goalless draw at Anfield before overcoming Oldham Athletic at Anfield to win 2–1; Robbie Fowler scored his first league goal in that match. The next game saw the Reds draw 1–1 with Manchester City at Maine Road, before the month ended on a high note with a 4–2 home win over Southampton; Robbie Fowler scored a hat-trick.
Fowler had been spectacular earlier in the month by scoring all five goals against Fulham in the return leg of the League Cup second round at Anfield. Before the month was out, the Reds eliminated Ipswich Town in the third round at Anfield with Ian Rush scoring a hat-trick.[2]
The Reds were now seventh in the table, but 13 points behind leaders Manchester United, who had built up an 11-point lead over nearest contenders Norwich City and Arsenal.[4]
November
The Reds saw league action just three times in November, first in a 2–0 home win over West Ham followed by a 3–0 defeat at Newcastle United (inspired by former Liverpool players Barry Venison and Peter Beardsley) before the month ended with a 2–1 home win over Aston Villa, in which rising stars Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp were on the scoresheet.[2]
Liverpool were now ninth in the league and the pressure was building back up on Graeme Souness.[5]
December
December was a tough month for the Reds, increasing speculation that Graeme Souness was about to leave or be forced out of the manager's seat.
The month began badly with a 3–1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, though four days later the Reds regrouped to beat QPR 3–2 at Anfield. They were then held to a disappointing 2–2 draw at Anfield by bottom club Swindon Town. A week late came a pulsating 3–3 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Boxing Day saw a disappointing goalless draw with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, and the last game of the year was a 1–1 home draw with Wimbledon.
The League Cup run ended at Selhurst Park when Wimbledon defeated the Reds on penalties after a 2–2 draw in the replay, having held them to a 1–1 draw in the first match at Anfield.[2]
Liverpool ended 1993 in eighth place, 20 points adrift of leaders Manchester United though only six points adrift of third place and European qualification.[6]
January
1994 began with a 2–1 win for the Reds against Ipswich at Portman Road, and three days later they came from three goals down to draw 3–3 at home to Manchester United in which Nigel Clough (struggling to stay in the first team following the emergence of Robbie Fowler) scored twice. The next league game saw a 3–0 away win of relegation-threatened Oldham at Boundary Park, before two Ian Rush goals disposed of Manchester City 2–1 at Anfield. The FA Cup quest began at Ashton Gate on 19 January, in which the Reds held Bristol City to a 1–1 draw. They were expected to triumph in the replay at Anfield six days later, but the West Country side pulled off a major shock to win 1–0, prompting Souness' resignation three days later. Long-serving coach and former player Roy Evans was appointed as his successor.[2]
Liverpool now stood fifth in the league. With Manchester United now looking uncatchable at the top of the table, the best Evans could hope for on his arrival at Anfield was to guide Liverpool into one of the two UEFA Cup places.[7]
February
Roy Evans had a difficult first month as Liverpool manager. His first game was a 2–2 draw at Norwich City (who had recently lost manager Mike Walker to Everton), followed by a 4-2 demolition by Southampton, who were fighting relegation. Then came another defeat, this time at the hands of Leeds, who triumphed 2–0 at Elland Road. The first win for Evans came at the end of the month when an early goal from Ian Rush gave them a 1–0 win over Coventry City at Anfield.[2] Liverpool ended the month still in fifth place, four points shy of third place and UEFA Cup qualification.[8]
March
March was a mixed month for the Reds, who began it with a 2–0 defeat at Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn Rovers, who were hoping to overhaul Manchester United with late run for the title. Then came a 2–1 home win over Everton in the Merseyside derby, in which Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler scored. A 2–1 home win over Chelsea at Anfield followed, but the month ended on a low note with away defeats to Arsenal and then Manchester United which left the Reds sixth and looking increasingly unlikely to qualify for the UEFA Cup.[2][9]
April
April was another mixed month for the Reds, who managed to beat Ipswich and West Ham, but were beaten by Sheffield United, Newcastle and Norwich and held to a draw by Wimbledon.[2] With one game to go, Liverpool had slipped to eighth place and were on course for one of their lowest league finishes since promotion in 1962.[10]
May
The league campaign ended with a 2–1 defeat by Aston Villa, consigning the Reds to a lowly eighth-place finish. Robbie Fowler scored their only goal, bringing his league tally for his first season in the first team to 12 goals, with 18 in all competitions.[2]
1993-94 was the last season at Anfield for veteran players Bruce Grobbelaar and Ronnie Whelan, who moved on to new clubs as their professional careers approached their end.
Notes
- Grobbelaar was born in Durban, South Africa, but was raised in Rhodesia (later named Zimbabwe) from the age of two months and made his international debut for Rhodesia in 1977 and for Zimbabwe in 1980.
- Hutchison was born in Gateshead, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his father and represented them at B level in 1994 before making his international debut for Scotland in March 1999.
- Matteo was born in Dumfries, Scotland, but was raised in England from the age of four and represented them at U-21 and B level before making his international debut for Scotland in November 2000.
References
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 28 Aug Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 28 August 1993. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Liverpool Results 1993-94". Liverweb. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 25 Sep Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 25 September 1993. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 30 Oct Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 30 October 1993. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 28 Nov Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 28 November 1993. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 28 Dec Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 28 December 1993. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 22 Jan Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 22 January 1994. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 26 Feb Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 26 February 1994. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 30 Mar Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 30 March 1994. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- "Snapshot Tables 1993-1994 30 Apr Liverpool - Liverpool FC - LFC Online". Liverpool-mad.co.uk. 30 April 1994. Retrieved 6 October 2012.