Moyes parks defeat
Little wonder, there were days when he went to four funerals – one after the other.
Liverpool ended up winning the FA Cup that season but were caught in the title race in the most dramatic climax of all.
It was the last game of the season, and it was the biggest one – with leaders Liverpool taking on Arsenal at Anfield.
The Reds had a three-point lead and a better goal difference by four.
Arsenal, though, would win the title if they got a 2-0 victory, by virtue of having scored more goals during the season.
Then they were silenced by Michael Thomas. It was the most dramatic winning goal in English football history.
In his celebrated book ‘Fever Pitch’, Nick Hornby made it clear that it was an experience that was almost beyond explanation:“even though there is no question that sex is a nicer activity than watching football (no nil-nil draws, no offside trap, no Cup upsets, and you’re warm), in the normal run of things, the feelings it engenders are simply not as intense as those brought about by a once-in-a-lifetime last-minute championship winner.”
On Sunday, Arsenal are back at Anfield, and the stakes are massive again. Dalglish will be there in a ground that now has a stand named after him, and you can imagine that he’s just as nervous as he was back in ‘89.
The Gunners haven’t won at Anfield in the Premier League since September, 2012, but Liverpool hadn’t dropped a point at home all season, until last weekend. And we know how that game against Manchester United turned out.
It was a game which made us question the worth of statistics. Sure, Liverpool had 34 shots at goal but the one that came closest to finding the net – from Trent Alexander-arnold – wasn’t even on target.
Mikel Arteta has had a few spats with Jurgen Klopp in his time and going head-to-head with him again will energise the Spaniard.
In Klopp’s very first press conference as Liverpool manager, he cut to the core of what makes him tick.
Spirit
“You want to see fighting spirit, many sprints, many shots, and the result is the result of these things,”he said. “It’s emotion, speed.” The serial hugging and fist-pumping after games seemed to galvanise his team.
When Liverpool became champions under Klopp, he was particularly moved by a congratulatory call from Dalglish.
Another on Saturday night would be very welcome.
David MOYES admits West Ham do not have time to dwell on their anfield annihilation as they prepare to face Manchester United.
The Hammers saw one chance of glory this season snuffed out on Wednesday night as they were thumped 5-1 at Liverpool in the Carabao
Cup quarter-final.
But they remain well positioned in eighth in the Premier League, are through to the last 16 in the europa League and host Championship side Bristol City in the Fa Cup next month.
ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime showdown with his former club, Hammers manager Moyes said: “Mentally it’s a big ask again for the players but we’ll be up for the game, ready to play and hopefully put in a good performance.
“it’s a completely different competition. We’re coming off the back of a really good win over Wolves, so our form has been pretty good and we want to keep that up against Manchester United.
Fighting
“There’s no time to dwell and we won’t. We’re in a good position in the league and we want to do well in that and in europe too.
“We’re fighting hard to stick around the position we’re in; we want to get european football for a fourth straight season. Our home form will be important for that and we want to get a result on Saturday.”
Striker Michail antonio is set to miss out again with a knee injury but Moyes says the 33-year-old is edging closer to a return.
“Mick’s improving. He’s on the grass. He’s doing some running, so he’s improving,” added Moyes.
Captain Kurt Zouma returns in defence after he was rested at anfield.