Yes, I played in two epic meetings with Newcastle... but it was United who won the title on both occasions
ONE of the most iconic images of the Premier League era is Kevin Keegan slumping over an advertising board at Anfield in utter despair.
He had just seen Stan Collymore deliver a devastating blow to his Newcastle team’s title dream by scoring a lastminute winner for Liverpool in a game that is widely regarded as one of the best during the modern era.
I scored twice for the Reds that night in April 1996. I was still six days away from celebrating my 21st birthday and scored 36 goals in 53 appearances that season.
Little did I know that I was at the peak of my powers. I still believe that injuries prevented me from realising my full potential.
I also scored twice against the Toon the following season, when Liverpool once again prevailed 4-3.
That’s another game still spoken about in revered tones, with Keegan’s side coming back from 3-0 down – with three goals in 18 minutes late in the second half – only for yours truly to win the three points with a header in front of the Kop.
Newcastle finished second in both those seasons. Liverpool finished third and fourth – although, in 1997, we only came behind Newcastle and Arsenal by virtue of goal difference.
No doubt the highlights of those two games will be replayed over and over in the build-up to Liverpool’s latest encounter with the Magpies at Anfield tomorrow night. What might be overlooked in the haste to set the scene for what will hopefully be another memorable contest is that it was the metronomic consistency of Manchester United that meant the Premier League trophy ended up at Old Trafford in both those seasons. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lost just one of their last 15 games. Seven victories in that run were by a 1-0 scoreline. Either side of their epic meeting with Newcastle, the Liverpool team that I played for lost at both Nottingham Forest and Coventry. We drew three of our last four games when it was clear the title was beyond us and that we would be facing United in the FA Cup Final – and then our greatest rivals clinched the Double by winning a terrible final 1-0. Newcastle’s confidence was severely damaged by an Eric Cantona goal that secured a 1-0 win for United at St James’ Park on a night when they showed the defiance of champions. Keegan’s side then lost three and drew two of their last 10 games. Twenty-seven years on and Liverpool have just one Premier League title to show for years of banging at a door that at various times had United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City holding the key.
Newcastle haven’t even won a trophy since 1969, although the Saudi takeover on Tyneside surely means the drought won’t last much longer.
What has impressed me about Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s (below) side this season is that the performances have been consistently good.
Just one defeat in 19 games – and that in highly controversial circumstances at Tottenham – illustrates what I am talking about.
I have no doubt Manchester City will hit their ominous stride, and Arsenal have been impressive following last season’s near-miss, although they were stopped in their tracks by West Ham last Thursday.
But titles are won more by ruthless efficiency than spectacular performances – and if Liverpool can ride out the loss of Mo Salah to the Africa Cup of Nations, then their stature will only grow.
Newcastle, despite recent disappointing results, are well capable of throwing a spanner into the works and getting some measure of payback for 1996 and 1997.
I don’t buy into the suggestion that Eddie Howe can point to the club’s injury list as an excuse for the way they have come off the rails in recent weeks.
Big clubs with big ambitions will always have to deal with the casualties they pick up during a busy schedule.
It is too early to think about Howe being under pressure from Newcastle’s owners because he possibly overachieved last season by delivering Champions League qualification.