No. 53 – The 1982 League Cup Final

No. 53 – The 1982 League Cup Final

Liverpools 1982 League Cup campaign got off to a great start when Exeter City were trashed 5-0 at Anfield and 6-0 in the away leg at St James’ Park. The third round saw Liverpool beat Middlesbrough 4-1 at Anfield.

The Fourth round saw a goaless draw at Highbury before Liverpool trashed them 3-0 at Anfield. Liverpool then invited Barnsley to Anfield for the Fifth round where a goaless draw again brought a replay to Oakwell where Liverpool secured a 3-1 win.

The semi Final first leg saw Liverpool secure a 2-0 win at Portman Road against Ipswich, while a 2-2 draw in the return leg at Anfield was enough for Liverpool to secure a place in the final against Tottenham.

The 1982 League Cup Final took place on the 13th of March 1982 infront of a staggering 100,000 spectators at Wembley. The final saw Ray Clemence in the opposition goal after moving to Tottenham for a fee of £300,000 the previous Summer – a player who had won 12 major medals at Anfield and kept an incredible 335 clean sheets in 665 appearances for Liverpool.

Tottenham got off to a great start and opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Steve Archibald. Tottenham produced a magnificent performance and towards the final stages it looked as though the cup would be on its way back to White Hart Lane. Tottenham should have secured victory late on, but a wonderful goal line clearance from Graeme Souness denied Steve Archibald his second goal.

The Spurs fans were already toasting their victory as they awaited the final whistle, however, with only minutes/seconds remaining Liverpool levelled the score through a wonderful Ronnie Whelan strike. Liverpool had somehow brought the game to extra time.

Extra time saw a Liverpool team full of confidence, Ronnie Whelan and Ian Rush secured a 3-1 win for the Reds. It was only Liverpool second time ever to win the League Cup.

It became a wonderful performance for Ronnie Whelan who was making his Wembley appearance debut, one year later Ronnie scored again at Wembley in the 1983 League Cup Final, this time in a 2 ‘“ 1 victory against Man Utd. Ronnie curled in the winner late in extra time with a long range classic.

Liverpools Team :
Bruce Grobbelaar, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Phil Thompson, Ronnie Whelan, Mark Lawrenson, Kenny Dalglish, Sammy Lee, Ian Rush, Terry McDermott, Graeme Souness

Goals :
Ronnie Whelan (87), (111)
Ian Rush (119)

Liverpool have won the League Cup seven times in the history of the competition, no other team has won it more time than Liverpool!

Liverpools League Cup Honours

1980/81

1981/82

1982/83

1994/95

2000/01

2002/03