History of Liverpool F.C. (1985–present)

{{See also|History of Liverpool F.C. (1892–1959)|History of Liverpool F.C. (1959–85)}}

File:2005 European Champion Clubs' Cup (cropped).jpg trophy, won by Liverpool for the fifth time in 2005|alt=The UEFA champions League won by Liverpool in 2005 on display in the club's museum.]]

The history of Liverpool Football Club from 1985 to the present day covers the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as manager, the Hillsborough disaster, and the club's return to European competition in 1991. Throughout this period, the club played in the top tier of English football, which in 1992 became the Premier League.

Dalglish was appointed as player-manager after Fagan resigned following the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster, which resulted in Liverpool's indefinite ban from European competition. Liverpool won a league and FA Cup double in Dalglish's first season, and won a further league title in 1987–88. The Hillsborough disaster, which occurred during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in April 1989, resulted in the deaths of 96 of the club's supporters. After the disaster, Dalglish led the club to their eighteenth title, in 1989–90; he resigned in February 1991. The Taylor Report into the disaster recommended the end of standing terraces; to comply with its findings, Anfield was converted to an all-seater stadium during the early 1990s, which greatly reduced its capacity. Dalglish's successor Graeme Souness won the FA Cup in his first full season. In the newly formed Premier League, he struggled to sustain the club's domestic successes and was replaced by Roy Evans midway through 1993–94. Liverpool improved to fourth the following season and won the League Cup.

In 1998, Gérard Houllier was appointed co-manager alongside Evans. The arrangement lasted until November when Evans resigned and Houllier became the sole manager. The club won a unique treble of trophies in 2001, and a year later finished second to Arsenal, their highest league finish in 11 years. Houllier departed the club in mid-2004. Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in Rafael Benítez's debut season, and he guided the club to a further FA Cup success in 2006. Midway through the 2006–07 season, the club was bought by Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett. At the start of the 2010–11 season, Liverpool were on the verge of bankruptcy; the club was sold to New England Sports Ventures following a high court ruling. Roy Hodgson, who took over from Benítez, left the club in 2011; Dalglish was again placed in charge of team affairs and won the 2012 League Cup, Liverpool's eighth win in the competition.

Dalglish was replaced by Brendan Rodgers after the team finished eighth in the 2011–12 Premier League. Rodgers guided Liverpool to second in 2013–14, but board disagreements over transfers and poor team performances led to his sacking in October 2015. His replacement, Jürgen Klopp, has led the club to a resurgence in form as they appeared in consecutive Champions League finals, winning the latter in 2019 to earn a sixth European Cup ending a seven-year trophy drought. The following season, he guided the team to the 2019–20 Premier League title, the club's first league title in 30 years and the first under the Premier League format.

1985–90: success at a cost

Dalglish became manager following the resignation of Fagan after the Heysel Stadium disaster. He started by replacing long-serving full-backs Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy with Steve Nicol and Jim Beglin. Liverpool began the 1985–86 season poorly and were ten points behind Manchester United at the end of September.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|pp=173}} The club continued to struggle until the end of the season when they won eleven of their last twelve matches, as their rivals were dropping points. Liverpool needed to beat Chelsea in the last game of the season to win the league championship. A goal from Dalglish secured the championship.{{sfn|Pead|1986|p=42}} The club also progressed to the 1986 FA Cup Final, where they faced Everton. Liverpool went behind to a first-half goal from Gary Lineker, but two goals from Ian Rush and a Craig Johnston goal in the second half secured a 3–1 victory. The club had achieved a double of league championship and FA Cup in the same season for the first time.{{sfn|Kelly|1988|p=179}}

File:Hillsborough Memorial, Anfield.jpg]]

At the start of the 1986–87 season, Rush announced his intention to leave Liverpool for Italian team Juventus when the season was finished. Rush did not want to leave but the club decided to sell him, as they were short of money due to their expulsion from European competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/2377 |title=Ian Rush on his proposed move to Napoli |publisher=LFC History |access-date=16 July 2016}} Midway through the season, Dalglish signed John Aldridge to replace Rush when he left. Prior to his departure, Rush scored 40 goals.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Goalscorers/28 |title=Goalscorers for the 1986–1987 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=22 August 2012 }} Liverpool finished second in the league behind Everton, and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Luton Town.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=219}} The club did reach the 1987 Football League Cup Final, but they were beaten 2–1 by Arsenal.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/02/21/lfc-in-the-league-cup-final-1987-arsenal-fightback-ends-ian-rush-s-astonishing-scoring-run-100252-30374691/ |title=LFC in the League Cup final: 1987 – Arsenal fightback ends Ian Rush's astonishing scoring run |work=Liverpool Echo |date=21 February 2012 |access-date=22 August 2012 |first=Matt |last=Barden }} At the end of the season, Dalglish signed Peter Beardsley and John Barnes to improve their attack. Liverpool regained the league championship; they did not suffer defeat until their 29th match against Everton, one of two losses during the season.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=220}} The club had the chance to complete the double, as they reached the final of the FA Cup against Wimbledon. Although favourites against a club who had become a member of the Football League only eleven years previously, they lost the match 1–0.{{cite news |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/sport/story/22265.html |title=Dave Beasant and the 'Crazy Gang' stun Liverpool |publisher=ESPN |date=12 May 2010 |access-date=22 August 2012 |first=Rob |last=Phillips-Knight }}

Rush returned to Liverpool for the start of the 1988–89 season, due to homesickness.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|p=257}} Liverpool struggled at the start of the season and by January they were nine points behind leaders Arsenal; by April the teams were level on points, and Arsenal were ahead on goal difference.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=95}} By this time, Liverpool had reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989. Within six minutes the match was abandoned; overcrowding at the Leppings Lane end of the ground resulted in the death of ninety-seven people, as they were crushed against perimeter fencing. Ninety-four fans died, in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster, that day; the 95th victim died in hospital from his injuries four days later; the 96th died nearly four years later, without regaining consciousness; the final 97th victim died in 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/hillsborough-victim-died-accidentally-coroner-says-withdrawal-of-treatment-not-to-blame-1469037.html |title=Hillsborough victim died 'accidentally': Coroner says withdrawal of treatment not to blame |work=The Independent |location=London |date=22 December 1993 |access-date=23 August 2012 |first=Malcolm |last=Pithers }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-58011373 |title=Hillsborough's 97th victim was unlawfully killed, coroner concludes |publisher=BBC News |date=29 July 2021 |access-date=29 July 2021}} Liverpool won the replay 3–1 to reach the final against Everton. They led for the majority of the match from an Aldridge goal. Stuart McCall scored in the 89th minute to take the game into extra-time. Substitute Rush scored in the 95th minute, but McCall scored again in the 102nd minute to level the match. Another goal from Rush two minutes later secured a 3–2 victory for Liverpool.{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1047298/rewind-to-1989%3A-fa-cup-eases-liverpool%27s-pain?cc=5739 |title=Rewind to 1989: FA Cup eases Liverpool pain |publisher=ESPN |date=12 April 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012 |first=Jon |last=Carter |archive-date=13 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413052741/http://www.espnfc.com/story/1047298/rewind-to-1989-fa-cup-eases-liverpools-pain |url-status=dead }} Once again, Liverpool had a chance at the double. Their final match of the season was against second-placed Arsenal, who were three points behind. The game had originally been scheduled for 23 April, but Liverpool's FA Cup commitments meant it was postponed and rearranged for 26 May.{{sfn|Cowley|2009|p=13}} Arsenal needed to win the match by two clear goals to win the league championship. They took the lead in the 52nd minute when striker Alan Smith scored. With the match in injury time, Michael Thomas scored to give Arsenal a 2–0 victory. The result meant Arsenal won the championship on goals scored.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/29/arsenal-liverpool-1989-football |title=The night football was reborn |work=The Observer |location=London |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=23 August 2012 |first=Jason |last=Cowley |ref=none}}

After the season, an inquiry headed by Lord Taylor was set up to establish the causes of the Hillsborough disaster. The subsequent Taylor Report, published in 1990, found that failure of police control was the main reason for the disaster and recommended that major stadiums remove terracing and become all-seater venues.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/318497.stm |title=A hard lesson to learn |publisher=BBC News |date=15 April 1999 |access-date=23 August 2012 |first=Peter |last=Stevenson }} Liverpool started the 1989–90 season in good form, exemplified by a 9–0 victory over newly promoted Crystal Palace. Eight different players scored for the club, the only time this has occurred in English football.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jan/10/newsstory.sport10 |title=Knowledge Unlimited |website=theguardian.com |date=10 January 2001 |access-date=23 August 2012 |first1=Scott |first2=Sean |last1=Murray |last2=Ingle }} In October and November they lost four games, but they recovered to go unbeaten until a 1–0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in March.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=220}} Following the match, Liverpool signed forward Ronny Rosenthal on loan from Standard Liège.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|p=265}} His impact was immediate; he scored seven goals in eight appearances, including a hat-trick against Charlton Athletic to help Liverpool to their eighteenth league championship.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=103}} The club progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but they lost 4–3 to Crystal Palace after extra time.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/1734 |title=Liverpool 3–4 Crystal Palace |publisher=LFC History |access-date=23 August 2012 }}

1990–98: decline

File:The Kop - Last Game as a Standing Terrace - geograph.org.uk - 1493996.jpg before a game against Norwich City in 1994. It was redeveloped into an all-seater stand for the start of the next season, following the recommendations of the Taylor Report.]]

Liverpool started the 1990–91 season by winning their first eight league games.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=104}} They remained unbeaten until a 3–0 loss to Arsenal in December, followed by another to Crystal Palace at the end of the month.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|pages=268–269}} The club's form began to tail off and Arsenal moved above them in January. After a 4–4 draw against Everton in an FA Cup replay in February, Dalglish announced his resignation as manager, citing stress as the reason.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/14/kenny-dalglish-liverpool-everton-4-4 |title=The game that forced Kenny Dalglish to resign as Liverpool manager |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=24 August 2012 |first=Louise |last=Taylor }} Coach Ronnie Moran became caretaker manager; he won three of the ten matches he was in charge of, as they fell further behind Arsenal.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|pages=104–105}} Former player Graeme Souness was announced as manager in April, but the club were unable to catch Arsenal, who won the league by seven points.{{sfn|Liversedge|1991|p=107}} Souness reshaped the team during the 1991–92 season. Beardsley, Gary Gillespie and Steve McMahon were sold. Souness bought Dean Saunders for £2.9 million, but Liverpool finished in sixth position, the first time they had finished outside the top two since 1981.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|p=301}} The club did reach the final of the FA Cup against Sunderland, which they won 2–0.{{cite news|title=Liverpool overpower and overawe in a final of repute |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Images/newspapers/riley/19920509vSunderland.pdf |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=9 May 1992 |access-date=12 August 2016}} The season saw Liverpool compete in Europe for the first time since the Heysel stadium disaster in 1985; they were readmitted a year after other English clubs.{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/925085/rewind:-the-heysel-aftermath-in-1985?cc=5739 |title=Rewind:The Heysel aftermath |publisher=ESPN |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=25 August 2012 |first=Jon |last=Carter |archive-date=28 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128192445/http://www.espnfc.com/story/925085/rewind-the-heysel-aftermath-in-1985 |url-status=dead }} Liverpool reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, where they lost to Italian team Genoa 4–1 over two legs.{{sfn|Hale|Ponting|1992|p=206}} The Boot Room, which had been a meeting place for Liverpool's coaches since Bill Shankly was manager was demolished during Souness' time at the club. A new press room was built in its place.{{sfn|Carragher|2008|pages=89–90}}

Anfield was redeveloped at the start of the 1992–93 season following the recommendations of the Taylor report. A second tier was added to the Kemlyn Road stand, which included executive boxes and function suites as well as 11,000 seats. Renamed the Centenary Stand, it was officially opened on 1 September 1992 by Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president Lennart Johansson.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-on-the-mark-1548937.html |title=Football: Wright on the mark |work=The Independent |location=London |date=1 September 1992 |access-date=26 August 2012 |first=Phil |last=Shaw }} In the inaugural season of the Premier League, Liverpool again finished in sixth place, losing fifteen of their forty-two matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/33 |title=League table for the 1992–1993 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=26 August 2012 }} They exited early in the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/33 |title=Games for the 1992–1993 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=26 August 2012 }} In the 1993–94 season Liverpool won their first three games, but their form dipped as they lost four consecutive games. One positive was the emergence of striker Robbie Fowler from the club's youth team. He scored on his first-team debut against Fulham in the first leg of a League Cup tie, and scored all five goals in the return leg as Liverpool won 5–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/robbie-fowler |title=Robbie Fowler |publisher=Liverpool F.C |access-date=27 August 2012 }} Liverpool continued to struggle during the season, culminating in a defeat to Bristol City in an FA Cup replay.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|p=303}} Souness was sacked after the match and replaced by coach Roy Evans.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/01/06/a-run-down-of-liverpool-s-post-war-managers-100252-31089938/ |title=A run-down of Liverpool's post-war managers |work=Liverpool Echo |date=6 January 2012 |access-date=27 August 2012 }} The club ended the season in eighth place after losing sixteen of their games.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/35 |title=League table for the 1993–94 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=27 August 2012 }} Liverpool began to fall behind their rivals off the pitch. Manchester United made £93 million after they were floated on the stock market, while Liverpool made £22 million when media company Granada bought 9.9% of the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-conn-liverpools-respect-for-values-rather-than-raw-commercialism-appeals-to-neutrals-526666.html |title=Liverpool's respect for values rather than raw commercialism appeals to neutrals |work=The Independent |date=29 April 2005 |access-date=25 July 2016 |first=David |last=Conn }}

File:Liverpool-PSG 1997.png halted Liverpool's progress in the semi-final of the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.]]

After the construction of the Centenary Stand, the Spion Kop was redeveloped for the start of the 1994–95 season. The stand became all-seater, retaining the single tier with a reduced capacity of 12,000.{{cite news|url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=how-kop-tuned-in-to-glory-days%26method=full%26objectid=17610578%26page=3%26siteid=50061-name_page.html |title=How Kop tuned into glory days |work=Liverpool Echo |date=23 August 2006 |access-date=29 August 2012 |first=James |last=Pearce }} In Evans's first full season in charge Liverpool finished in fourth place, their best finish since the departure of Dalglish. The club reached the sixth round of the FA Cup, before losing 2–1 to Tottenham Hotspur and reached the 1995 Football League Cup Final against Bolton Wanderers.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/2001 |title=Liverpool 1–2 Tottenham Hotspur |publisher=LFC History |access-date=29 August 2012 }}{{cite news|title=Fowler on target as Liverpool cruise through |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=9 March 1995 }} Two goals from Steve McManaman helped Liverpool to a 2–1 victory as they won their fifth League Cup.{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/02/22/lfc-in-the-league-cup-final-1995-mcmanaman-masterclass-wins-praise-from-wing-wizard-matthews-100252-30379046/ |title=LFC in the League Cup final: 1995 – McManaman masterclass wins praise from wing wizard Matthews |work=Liverpool Echo |date=22 February 2012 |access-date=29 August 2012 |first=Mark |last=Scully }} The season also saw several long-serving players leave the club, as Grobbelaar, Nicol and Ronnie Whelan departed.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Transfers/36 |title=Transfers for the 1994–1995 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=29 August 2012 }} Before the start of the 1995–96 season, Liverpool signalled their intent to improve upon the previous season, signing forward Stan Collymore for a British club record £8.5 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/aug/14/newsstory.sport11 |title=Old pal Kennedy drops in at Collymore Cottage |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=14 August 1999 |access-date=30 August 2012 |first=Nick |last=Alexander }} Collymore scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the first game of the season.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/998725.stm |title=Collymore's familiar story |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2000 |access-date=30 August 2012 |first=Simon |last=Austin }} The season included a 4–3 win against Newcastle at Anfield in April 1996 with Collymore scoring an injury-time winner – a game considered one of the greatest in Premier League history.{{cite news |title=Premier League at 25: the best match – Liverpool 4 - 3 Newcastle, April 1996 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/25/premier-league-best-match-liverpool-newcastle-april-1996 |work=The Guardian |date=25 July 2017 |access-date=3 January 2020}} Liverpool finished in third place.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/37 |title=The league table for the 1995–1996 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=30 August 2012 }} They reached the final of the FA Cup against Manchester United; an 85th-minute goal from Eric Cantona secured a 1–0 victory for United.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4694012.stm |title=FA Cup flashback |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 February 2006 |access-date=30 August 2012 |first=Ian |last=Wilkerson }} The Cup final saw the appearance of Liverpool players in cream Armani suits, an incident which generated most headlines for an under-achieving group of players the media had pejoratively dubbed the Spice Boys, who were perceived as focusing on partying, sports cars, fame and hairstyles rather than football.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/3038405/Spice-Boys-are-dancing-to-a-new-tune.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017230451/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/3038405/Spice-Boys-are-dancing-to-a-new-tune.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 October 2008|title=Spice Boys are dancing to a new tune|work=Daily Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|first=Colin|last=Malam|date=24 November 2002|access-date=2 February 2020}}

Liverpool started the 1996–97 season well, and by the turn of the year they were top of the league, two points clear of Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/table/1997-01-01 |title=English Premier League 1996–1997: Table |publisher=Statto |access-date=31 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825103827/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/table/1997-01-01 |archive-date=25 August 2012 }} The club were unable to maintain their form during the rest of the season, losses to Coventry City, Manchester United and Wimbledon resulted in the club finishing the season in fourth position.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/39 |title=Games for the 1996–1997 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=31 August 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/39 |title=the league table for the 1996–1997 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=31 August 2012 }} Despite early exits in the League and FA Cup, Liverpool reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They were unable to progress after a 3–0 defeat in the first-leg,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/12/sports/12iht-soccer.t_7.html |title=Liverpool's Bad Case of 'the Yips' Lifts PSG |work=The New York Times |date=12 April 1997 |access-date=31 August 2012 |first=Peter |last=Berlin }} despite winning the second leg 2–0 and were knocked out 3–2 on aggregate against French team Paris Saint-Germain.{{cite web|url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season=1996/intro.html |title=1996/97: Ronaldo spot on for Barça |work=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) |access-date=31 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503062924/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season%3D1996/intro.html |archive-date=3 May 2010 }} Liverpool were without striker Fowler for the start of the 1997–98 season after he suffered knee ligament damage in a pre-season friendly.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/301 |title=Robbie Fowler |publisher=LFC History |access-date=31 August 2012 }} This was offset by the emergence of Michael Owen, who scored eighteen goals from thirty-six appearances. Paul Ince was signed to replace Barnes who joined Newcastle United.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Transfers/BySeason/40 |title=Transfers for the 1997–98 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=1 September 2012 }} Liverpool were unable to challenge eventual winners Arsenal and finished thirteen points behind in third place.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/40 |title=The league table for the 1997–1998 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=31 August 2012 }} Further redevelopment took place at Anfield during the season with a second tier added to the Anfield Road stand.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/stadium/anfield |title=Anfield |publisher=Liverpool F.C |access-date=31 August 2012 }}

1998–2006: fluctuating fortunes

Liverpool appointed Frenchman Gérard Houllier as co-manager alongside Evans for the 1998–99 season. Poor results put pressure on the partnership and after a 3–1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup, Evans resigned.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/213058.stm |title=Evans quits Anfield |publisher=BBC News |date=12 November 1998 |access-date=1 September 2012 }} Houllier's first game as sole manager was a 3–1 defeat to Leeds United.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/2187 |title=Liverpool 1–3 Leeds United |publisher=LFC History |access-date=1 September 2012 }} Liverpool's form did not improve under Houllier and early exits in the UEFA and FA Cup were followed by the club finishing the season in seventh place, missing the qualification spots for European competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng99.html |title=England 1998/99 |publisher=Rec. Sport. Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=20 December 1999 |access-date=1 September 2012 |author=RSSSF}} Houllier reshaped the squad at the start of the 1999–2000 season. New players were brought into the squad such as Dietmar Hamann, Sami Hyypiä and Sander Westerveld; David James, Ince and McManaman left the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Transfers/43 |title=Transfers for the 1999–2000 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=22 November 2012 }} Houllier continued the reshaping into the season when he signed forward Emile Heskey for a club record £11 million in March.{{cite news|url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/672844.stm |title=Heskey shrugs off record fee |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2000 |access-date=1 September 2012 }} Liverpool failed to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League, as they finished the season in fourth place. They also performed poorly in the FA and League Cup, exiting early in both competitions.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/43 |title=Games for the 1999–2000 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=1 September 2012 }}

In the 2000–01 season Liverpool won three competitions to complete a unique treble of trophies. The first trophy was the League Cup, when they beat Birmingham City 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out after the match had finished 1–1.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1187654.stm |title=Blues shot down as Liverpool lift cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2001 |access-date=2 September 2012 }} They then won the FA Cup, as Owen scored two goals in the last ten minutes to overturn a one-goal deficit to win the match against Arsenal 2–1.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/14/match.sport |title=Five minutes that turned the world upside down |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=14 May 2001 |access-date=2 September 2012 |first=David |last=Lacey }} The final trophy the club won was the UEFA Cup. An own goal in the last minute of extra time by Delfí Geli secured a 5–4 victory over Spanish team Alavés.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/16/minutebyminute.sport |title=Liverpool 5–4 Alavés |work=The Guardian |date=16 May 2001 |access-date=2 September 2012 |location=London |first=Matt |last=Biggs }} Liverpool finished the league in third place, securing a return to the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) for the first time since the Heysel Stadium disaster.{{cite news|url=http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1338359.stm |title=Liverpool party begins at Charlton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2001 |access-date=2 September 2012 }} Liverpool's participation in the UEFA Champions League in the 2001–02 season saw the club reach the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by German team Bayer Leverkusen 4–3 on aggregate.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/1916648.stm |title=Liverpool suffer Euro woe |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 April 2002 |access-date=2 September 2012 }} The season was Liverpool's best in the league in recent years, as they finished second, seven points behind Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html?season=2001-2002&month=MAY&timelineView=date&toDate=1021071600000&tableView=CURRENT_STANDINGS |title=League table: 2001–02 season |publisher=Premier League |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=22 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622092907/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html?season=2001-2002&month=MAY&timelineView=date&toDate=1021071600000&tableView=CURRENT_STANDINGS |url-status=dead }} Despite their improved performance in the league, Liverpool were unable to defend the FA and League Cup, exiting in the fourth and third rounds respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/44 |title=Games for the 2001–2002 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=2 September 2012 }} The season was overshadowed by Houllier's heart problems. He suffered chest pain at half-time during a match with Leeds at Anfield. He had an eleven-hour operation to fix an acute dissection of the aorta and did not return until February. His assistant Phil Thompson took charge of the team in the interim.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|pages=331–332}}

Houllier signed several players at the start of the 2002–03 season, including Bruno Cheyrou, Salif Diao and El-Hadji Diouf. The former was preferred to Nicolas Anelka, despite the latter performing well during his loan from Paris Saint-Germain the previous season.{{sfn|Wilson|Murray|2013|p=337}} Liverpool were unbeaten in their first twelve games in the league, which gave them a seven-point lead.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2373307.stm |title=Owen sinks West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 November 2002 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} A defeat to Middlesbrough in their next game started a run of twelve games without victory until they beat Southampton 1–0 in January.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2648647.stm |title=Heskey ends Liverpool torture |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2003 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} The club finished the season in fifth place. Despite early exits in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, Liverpool won the League Cup, defeating Manchester United in the final.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/2811805.stm |title=Liverpool lift Worthington Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2003 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} The 2003–04 season started poorly for Liverpool as they lost their first game 2–1 to Chelsea.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3140907.stm |title=Hasselbaink sinks Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2003 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} By the end of the year they had lost six of their eighteen matches in the league.{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2003-2004/table/2003-12-29 |title=English Premier League 2003–2004: Table |publisher=Statto |access-date=3 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012720/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2003-2004/table/2003-12-29 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }} In the second half of the season they only lost a further four games to finish in fourth position securing a place in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3696217.stm |title=Liverpool 1–1 Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2004 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} They exited the UEFA and League Cup in the fourth round. In the FA Cup, they were eliminated by Portsmouth 1–0 in a fifth-round replay.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3496757.stm |title=Portsmouth 1–0 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 February 2004 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} At the end of the season Houllier was replaced as manager by Rafael Benítez.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3776857.stm |title=Liverpool appoint Benitez |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 June 2004 |access-date=3 September 2012 }}

The 2004–05 season was a disappointment in the league as Liverpool finished in fifth place outside the UEFA Champions League qualification places.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/104 |title=League table for the 2004–2005 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=3 September 2012 }} They were eliminated from the FA Cup third round by Burnley.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4174885.stm |title=Burnley 1–0 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2005 |access-date=3 September 2012 }} The club reached the final of the League Cup, but lost 3–2 to Chelsea.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/feb/28/match.liverpool |title=Mourinho the scene stealer claims his first English prize |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 February 2005 |access-date=3 September 2012 |first=Kevin |last=McCarra }} Liverpool also reached the final of the UEFA Champions League. A game that would become known as the Miracle of Istanbul,{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Top 20 sporting moments of the decade: Liverpool's 'Miracle of Istanbul' |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/6653607/Top-20-sporting-moments-of-the-decade-Liverpools-Miracle-of-Istanbul.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=9 December 2009 |access-date=26 May 2014 }} it appeared the club would lose their second final of the season when they were 3–0 down to Italian team Milan at half-time, but three goals in six minutes allowed Liverpool to draw level at 3–3. No goals in extra time meant the match went to a penalty shoot-out, which they won 3–2.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4573159.stm |title=AC Milan 3–3 Liverpool (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2005 |access-date=3 September 2010}} A fifth-place finish in the Premier League meant Liverpool were not guaranteed entry into the Champions League and faced the prospect of not being able to defend their European title. UEFA eventually ruled that they would be allowed to do so, but would be required to start in the first qualifying round.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4613695.stm |title=Liverpool get in Champions League |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 June 2005 |access-date=3 September 2010}} They were eliminated in the first knockout round by Portuguese team Benfica.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4778418.stm |title=Liverpool 0–2 Benfica (agg 0–3) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2006 |access-date=4 September 2012 }} In the 2005–06 season they finished in third place. They also reached the 2006 FA Cup Final where they faced West Ham United. Liverpool won 3–1 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 3–3.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4756045.stm |title=Liverpool 3–3 West Ham (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2006 |access-date=4 September 2012 }}

2006–15: near misses

The 2006–07 season was Liverpool's first after American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks bought the club, in a deal which valued it and its outstanding debts at £218.9 million.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6323037.stm |title=US pair agree Liverpool takeover |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 February 2007 |access-date=2 March 2007 }} Liverpool once more came third in the league, this time 21 points behind Manchester United.{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=15&mw=-1&ha=-1 |title=Tables |publisher=Premier League |access-date=5 August 2016 }} They went out of both domestic cup competitions to Arsenal, but reached the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final where they again faced Milan. Unlike 2005, Liverpool were unable to recover from going behind, and lost the match 2–1.{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=AC Milan 2–1 Liverpool |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6669039.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 May 2007 |access-date=4 September 2007 }} During the summer, Benítez strengthened his team by signing Fernando Torres for a club record £24 million, and midfielders Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun.{{cite news|url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6239286.stm |title=Liverpool complete Torres signing |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=4 September 2012 }} They drew thirteen of their 38 matches and finished the season in fourth place.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/117 |title=League table for the 2007–2008 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=4 September 2012 }} Liverpool exited the FA and League Cup in the fifth round, but in the UEFA Champions League reached the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons, where they lost 4–3 on aggregate to Chelsea.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7368736.stm |title=Chelsea 3–2 Liverpool (4–3) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2008 |access-date=4 September 2012 |first=Sam |last=Lyon }} Torres scored 33 goals in all competitions, and in the process broke two club records; he became the first Liverpool striker since Fowler to score more than 20 goals in a league season, and equalled Roger Hunt's run of scoring in consecutive league matches at Anfield (8).{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/2228 |title=The Fernando Torres Phenomenon |publisher=LFC History |access-date=5 August 2016 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/city-fans-make-point-as-torres-equals-record-and-earns-three-28387863.html |title=City fans make point as Torres equals record and earns three |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=5 May 2008 |access-date=5 August 2016 }}

In the 2008–09 season a 5–1 victory over Newcastle United in December gave Liverpool a three-point lead in the league with half of the season remaining.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7788422.stm |title=Newcastle 1–5 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=6 September 2012 |first=Phil |last=McNulty }}{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2008-2009/table/2008-12-30 |title=English Premier League 2008–2009: Table |publisher=Statto |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106082457/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2008-2009/table/2008-12-30 |archive-date=6 January 2013 }} They did not win any games in January, and despite good form for the remainder of the season, were unable to catch Manchester United and finished in second place.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/118 |title=Games for the 2008–2009 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=6 September 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/118 |title=League table for the 2008–2009 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=6 September 2012 }} In the FA and League Cup, they were eliminated in the fourth round. In the UEFA Champions League, they were again eliminated by Chelsea, this time at the quarter-final stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/14/champions-league-chelsea-liverpool-minute-by-minute |title=Champions League: Chelsea v Liverpool – as it happened |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=14 April 2009 |access-date=6 September 2012 |first=Scott |last=Murray }} The 2009–10 season was a disappointment for Liverpool as they were unable to improve on the previous season's performance, finishing seventh in the league. They lost eleven matches, nine more than the previous season, to finish outside the top four for the first time since 2005.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8660536.stm |title=Hull 0–0 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2010 |access-date=9 September 2012 |first=Harry |last=Reekie }} The club also suffered poor form in the UEFA Champions League, they were eliminated in the group stages and subsequently entered the UEFA Cup (now rebranded as the UEFA Europa League).{{cite news |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=2000028/match=2000444/report=rp.html |title=Fiorentina spoil Reds' swan song |work=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) |date=9 December 2009 |access-date=9 September 2012 |first=Simon |last=Hart |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105022909/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=2000028/match=2000444/report=rp.html |archive-date=5 January 2013 }} In the Europa League they reached the semi-finals. Their opponents were Spanish team Atlético Madrid, who progressed to the final on the away goals rule after the tie finished 2–2 on aggregate.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/29/liverpool-atletico-madrid-europa-league |title=Liverpool's hopes of silverware ended by Atlético Madrid's Diego Forlán |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=30 April 2010 |access-date=9 September 2012 |first=Kevin |last=McCarra }} Benitez left the club by mutual consent at the end of the season and was replaced by Roy Hodgson.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/01/roy-hodgson-confirmed-manager-liverpool |title=Roy Hodgson confirmed as new manager of Liverpool |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=9 September 2012 |first=Andy |last=Hunter }}

File:Cardiff throw-in.jpg]]

The club was sold to Fenway Sports Group during the 2010–11 season. Accounts had shown that Liverpool were £350 million in debt with losses of £55 million, causing auditor KPMG to qualify its audit opinion.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/07/liverpool-record-losses|title=Auditors cast doubt on future of Liverpool after losses|date=7 May 2010|work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=8 May 2010 | first=David | last=Conn}} The Royal Bank of Scotland who were the club's creditors, took owners Gillett and Hicks to court to force through a sale. The court ruled in the creditors' favour and the club was sold to Fenway Sports Group for £300 million on 15 October 2010.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9094283.stm |title=Liverpool takeover completed by US company NESV |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2010 |access-date=12 August 2011}} On the pitch, Liverpool's performances were poor. A 3–1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in January,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9331205.stm |title=Blackburn 3–1 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2011 |access-date=14 September 2012 |first=Marc |last=Vesty }} left the club in twelfth place in the league with nine defeats from twenty games.{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2010-2011/table/2011-01-05 |title=English Premier League 2010-2011 : Table |publisher=Statto |access-date=14 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911160100/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2010-2011/table/2011-01-05 |archive-date=11 September 2012 }} Hodgson was sacked after the match and replaced by former manager Dalglish.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9350630.stm |title=Roy Hodgson exits Liverpool & Kenny Dalglish takes over |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2011 |access-date=14 September 2012 }} After a loss in his first match against Manchester United in the FA Cup, Liverpool eventually finished the season in sixth place.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/LeagueTable/120 |title=League table for the 2010–2011 season |publisher=LFC History |access-date=14 September 2012 }} Dalglish bought several players at the start of the 2011–12 season, including Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/apr/02/kenny-dalglish-liverpool |title=Where it all went wrong for Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish |work=The Guardian |date=2 April 2012 |access-date=7 August 2016 |first=Louise |last=Taylor }} They finished in eighth place, the club's worst finish in eighteen years.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-16/liverpool-manager-dalglish-fired-after-worst-finish-in-18-years.html |title=Liverpool fires Dalglish after worst league finish in 18 years |work=Bloomberg |date=17 May 2012 |access-date=14 September 2012 |first1=Bob |first2=Tariq |last1=Bensch |last2=Panja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620150347/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-16/liverpool-manager-dalglish-fired-after-worst-finish-in-18-years.html |archive-date=20 June 2012 }} In both the League Cup and FA Cup, they reached the final. The club won a record eighth League Cup, with a 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory against Cardiff City after the match finished 2–2.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093419 |title=Cardiff 2–2 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=14 September 2012 |first=Chris |last=Bevan }} Liverpool lost the 2012 FA Cup Final 2–1 to Chelsea.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17878435 |title=Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2012 |access-date=14 September 2012 |first=Phil |last=McNulty }} The season was marred by the Luis Suárez racial abuse incident in October during a match against Manchester United, in which he racially abused Patrice Evra.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/8987656/Luis-Suarez-race-row-with-Patrice-Evra-timeline.html |title=Luis Suárez race row with Patrice Evra: timeline |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 October 2011 |access-date=16 December 2013}} He was fined £40,000 and banned for eight games.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16186556.stm |title=Liverpool striker Luis Suarez handed eight-match FA ban |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=20 December 2011}}{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Richard |title=Liverpool should take heed of the past and accept Luis Suárez verdict |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/dec/21/luis-suarez-liverpool-racism-fight |work=The Guardian |access-date=1 January 2012 |date=21 December 2011}} Dalglish was sacked at the end of the season and replaced by Brendan Rodgers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18294032 |title=Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to 'fight for his life' |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=14 September 2012 }}

Rodgers promised "to dedicate my life to fight for this club and defend the great principles of Liverpool Football Club on and off the field."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jun/01/brendan-rodgers-new-liverpool-manager |title=Brendan Rodgers confirmed as new Liverpool manager |work=The Guardian |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=7 August 2016 }} Liverpool finished seventh in his first season,{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2012-2013/table |title=English Premier League Table 2012–2013 |publisher=Statto |access-date=7 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821221615/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2012-2013/table |archive-date=21 August 2016 }} but outperformed expectations the following season to put them into title contention.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/16/premier-league-predictions-guardian-writers |title=Premier League 2013–2014: our writers' predictions for new season |work=The Guardian |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=7 August 2016 }} A victory over Manchester City put them four wins away from their first title since 1990,{{Cite news |last=McCourt |first=Ian |date=2014-04-13 |title=Liverpool v Manchester City – as it happened!{{!}} Ian McCourt |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/13/liverpool-v-manchester-city-live |access-date=2022-07-19 |issn=0261-3077}} but their run of 11 consecutive victories was halted by a 2–0 home loss to Chelsea. The defeat meant the title race was out of Liverpool's control.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27092978 |title=Liverpool 0–2 Chelsea |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2014 |access-date=7 August 2016 }} Having taken a 3–0 lead in their next match – away at Crystal Palace, Liverpool conceded three times in the final 15 minutes to draw 3–3 and they were overhauled by Manchester City.{{Cite news |last=Glendenning |first=Barry |date=2014-05-05 |title=Crystal Palace 3-3 Liverpool – as it happened {{!}} Barry Glendenning |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/05/crystal-palace-v-liverpool-live-premier-league-report |access-date=2022-07-19 |issn=0261-3077}} Liverpool went into the final day with a chance of winning the league, but Manchester City beat West Ham to be crowned champions.{{Cite web |last=Prince-Wright |first=Joe |date=2014-05-11 |title=Manchester City 2-0 West Ham United: City win Premier League title |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2014/05/11/manchester-city-2-0-west-ham-united-city-win-premier-league-title/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=ProSoccerTalk {{!}} NBC Sports |language=en-US}} In July, Suárez was sold to Barcelona for £75 million,{{cite news|title=Luis Suarez: Liverpool & Barcelona agree £75m deal for striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28180600|access-date=16 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2014}} and the following January Steven Gerrard agreed a move to LA Galaxy at the end of the campaign, ending 17 years at the club.{{cite news |last1=Meagher |first1=Gerard |date=24 June 2015 |title=Steven Gerrard still haunted by slip after leaving Liverpool without winning title |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/24/steven-gerrard-liverpool-slip-chelsea-premier-league-title |access-date=16 January 2016}} Rodgers was sacked after a poor start to the 2015–16 season.{{cite magazine|title=Liverpool announces hiring of manager Jurgen Klopp|url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/10/08/liverpool-jurgen-klopp-hired-manager-brendan-rodgers-fired|access-date=16 January 2016|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=8 October 2015}}

2015–24: revival under Klopp

File:Команда ФК «Ліверпуль» прибула до Києва, 2018, 4, cropped, straightened, enhanced.jpg led Liverpool to consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter—the club's sixth European title.]]

Following Rodgers' dismissal, it was announced on 8 October 2015 that Jürgen Klopp had agreed a three-year deal to manage the club. In his first press conference, Klopp stated his intention to bring trophies to the club within four years,{{cite web |title=Liverpool FC confirm Jürgen Klopp appointment |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/195412-liverpool-fc-confirm-jrgen-klopp-appointment |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |access-date=8 October 2015 |date=1 June 2019}}{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Smith |title=Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp agrees three-year deal as manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34469429 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019}} and jokingly titled himself 'The Normal One' in a parody of José Mourinho's famous 'The Special One' comments from 2004.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/09/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-manager-normal-one |title=Jürgen Klopp, the 'Normal One' takes over as Liverpool manager |work=The Guardian |date=9 October 2015 |access-date=1 June 2019}} After Klopp's appointment, Liverpool reached the finals of the League Cup and UEFA Europa League, losing the former 3–1 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 1–1,{{cite news|title=Willy Caballero: Man City keeper 'deserved' League Cup final|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35683671|access-date=31 March 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 February 2016}} and the latter 3–1 to Sevilla in Basel.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36327553 |title=Liverpool 1–3 Sevilla: Reds collapse as Sevilla win Europa League |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2016 |access-date=4 July 2016 }} In Liverpool's first full season under Klopp, they finished fourth.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/21/liverpool-middlesbrough-premier-league-match-report |title=Liverpool seal Champions League place with victory over Middlesbrough |date=21 May 2017 |work=The Guardian |access-date=1 June 2019}} Another fourth-place finish followed the season after,{{cite web |title=Premier League Table |url=https://www.premierleague.com/tables?co=1&se=79&ha=-1 |website=premierleague.com |publisher=Premier League |access-date=1 June 2019}} and Klopp guided the side to the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final, where they lost 3–1 to Real Madrid.{{cite news |title=Real nightmare for Karius as Madrid retain their title |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/0526/966246-real-madrid-liverpool-champions-league-karius-nightmare/ |website=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=1 June 2019}} Klopp subsequently made a number of high-profile signings, including centre-half Virgil van Dijk in January,{{cite web |title=Liverpool agree deal to sign Virgil van Dijk |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/285500-liverpool-agree-deal-to-sign-virgil-van-dijk |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=1 June 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-12-27/virgil-van-dijk-southampton-liverpool-transfer-agreement-announcement |title=Van Dijk deal agreed |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228152847/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-12-27/virgil-van-dijk-southampton-liverpool-transfer-agreement-announcement |url-status=dead }} for a reported fee of £75 million, a world record transfer fee for a defender.{{cite news |title=Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool to sign Southampton defender for world record £75m |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42496637 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2017 |access-date=1 June 2019}} In the same transfer window, attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho was sold to Barcelona with a transfer fee of £105 million, which could rise to £142 million should various clauses be met.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-06 |title=Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona after £142m deal agreed with Liverpool |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/06/philippe-coutinho-join-barcelona-142m-deal-liverpool |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} In the summer, the club signed midfielders Naby Keïta{{cite web |title=Naby Keita to complete Liverpool transfer on July 1 |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/305363-naby-keita-liverpool-transfer-complete |date=27 June 2018}} and Fabinho,{{cite web |title=Reds agree deal to sign Fabinho |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/303592-liverpool-fc-agree-deal-fabinho |publisher=Liverpool FC |date=28 May 2018}} forward Xherdan Shaqiri,{{cite web |title=Liverpool complete Xherdan Shaqiri transfer |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/307046-xherdan-shaqiri-liverpool-fc-transfer-complete |publisher=Liverpool FC |date=13 July 2018}} and goalkeeper Alisson.{{cite web |title=Liverpool complete Alisson Becker transfer |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/307801-liverpool-confirm-alisson-deal |publisher=Liverpool FC |date=19 July 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.asroma.com/en/news/2018/7/transfer-agreed-for-alisson-to-join-liverpool |title=Transfer agreed for Alisson to join Liverpool |website=www.asroma.com |language=en |access-date=1 June 2019}}

Liverpool started the 2018–19 season with their best-ever league start, winning their first six matches.{{cite web |url=https://talksport.com/football/425266/liverpool-make-best-start-to-a-season-in-their-126-year-history-with-3-0-premier-league-win-over-southampton/ |title=Liverpool make best start to a season in their 126-year history with 3–0 Premier League win over Southampton |date=22 September 2018 |work=TalkSport |access-date=1 June 2016}} A 4–0 win against Newcastle United on Boxing Day saw Liverpool extend their lead in the table to six points at the half-way point of the season and become only the fourth Premier League team to be unbeaten at this stage.{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Neil |title=Liverpool 4–0 Newcastle: Reds six points clear at the top |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46615145 |access-date=1 June 2019 |work=bbc.co.uk |agency=The BBC |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2018}} Equalling the all-time record for the fewest goals conceded half-way through top-flight season, Liverpool conceded 7 goals and kept 12 clean sheets in 19 matches.{{cite web |title=Comparing Liverpool's stats to the halfway point last season |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/comparing-liverpools-stats-to-the-halfway-point-last-season/ |website=planetfootball.com |date=29 December 2018 |publisher=Planet Football |access-date=1 June 2019}} Ultimately, Liverpool finished a season-long title battle as runners-up to Manchester City, to whom they suffered their only league defeat of the season. Winning all of their last nine matches, Liverpool scored 97 points, the third-highest total in the history of the English top-flight and the most points scored by a team without winning the title, and remained unbeaten at home for the second season running; their thirty league wins matched the club record for wins in a season.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Sadio Mané double sinks Wolves but Liverpool's title wait goes on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/12/liverpool-wolves-premier-league-match-report |access-date=1 June 2019 |work=The Guardian |agency=The Guardian |date=12 May 2019}}{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Caoimhe |title=Anfield's amazing response to Premier League disappointment as Man City beat Liverpool to title |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/anfields-amazing-response-premier-league-16264309 |access-date=1 June 2019 |work=liverpoolecho.co.uk |publisher=Liverpool Echo |date=12 May 2019}} Liverpool reached the Champions League final for the second consecutive year after overcoming a 3–0 first-leg deficit by beating Barcelona 4–0 in the second leg at Anfield.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-07 |title=Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 agg): Champions League semi-final – as it happened |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2019/may/07/liverpool-v-barcelona-champions-league-semi-final-second-leg-live |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} In the 2019 final, Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 to secure the club's sixth European title and end a seven-year trophy drought.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2019/jun/01/tottenham-hotspur-v-liverpool-champions-league-final-live|title=Liverpool win Champions League after beating Spurs 2–0 in final – live!|last=Doyle|first=Paul|date=1 June 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=1 June 2019|issn=0261-3077}}

Liverpool's first game of the 2019–20 season was the 2019 FA Community Shield where they faced Premier League champions Manchester City, losing 5–4 on penalties.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49141690 |title=Community Shield: Liverpool 1–1 Man City (City won 5–4 on penalties) |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |publisher=BBC |date=4 August 2019 |access-date=11 October 2019}} The second trophy under Klopp's management came in the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, where they defeated league rivals Chelsea 5–4 on penalties. It was Liverpool's fourth triumph in the annual contest, placing them behind only Barcelona and AC Milan, who have five titles apiece.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49332825 |title=Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to win Super Cup |first = Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2019 |access-date = 24 September 2019}} Having finished as runners-up on three previous occasions, Liverpool won their first FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 after defeating Brazilian club Flamengo 1–0 in the final after extra-time,{{cite news |title=Firmino winner seals Club World Cup win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50869633?isBumped=0&postFreq=0&isEmpty=0&isProfane=0&tooLong=0&charCount=0&isAwaitingProcessPreMod=0&isSubmitted=1&filter=none&initial_page_size=10&postId=137711507 |access-date=21 December 2019 |agency=BBC}} making them the first English side to win the international treble of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.{{cite news |last1=Ladson |first1=Matt |title=What does Liverpool's Club World Cup victory mean for the rest of their season? |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/liverpools-club-world-cup-victory-win-premier-league-season-matt-ladson |access-date=22 December 2019 |work=fourfourtwo.com |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=22 December 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Eriksen |first1=Magnus |title=Liverpool do something no English club has done before with Club World Cup win |url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/12/21/liverpool-first-english-team-to-win-cl-super-cup-and-club-world-cup/ |website=caughtoffside.com |date=21 December 2019 |publisher=CaughtOffside |access-date=22 December 2019}} In December 2019 Klopp signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/377871-fenway-sports-group-statement-jurgen-klopp-contract-extension|title=FSG statement on Jürgen Klopp contract extension agreement|date=13 December 2019|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|access-date=14 November 2021}} Liverpool topped the 2019–20 Premier League by 13 points after 21 games (with two games in hand), registering 61 points from their first 21 games – the most ever at that stage of the season by a side in Europe's top five leagues.{{cite news |title=Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool's record-breaking run isn't special - but it is |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51079615 |access-date=19 January 2020 |work=bbc.co.uk |agency=BBC |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2020}} On 13 March 2020, after having played 29 games of the season and with Liverpool having an unprecedented 25-point lead over second-place Manchester City,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325190837/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 March 2020|title=Premier League Table 25 March 2020|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/tables|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323104645/https://www.premierleague.com/tables|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 March 2020|title=Premier League Table March 2020|website=Premier League|access-date=14 November 2021}} it was announced following a decision by the Premier League, that the current season had been suspended until 4 April 2020 at the earliest, after a number of players and club staff had become ill due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite news|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1645173|title=Premier League, FA, EFL and WSL unite to postpone fixtures|publisher=Premier League|date=13 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020}} This was extended six days later to 30 April.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51962751|title=Coronavirus: English football suspension extended until at least 30 April|publisher=BBC News|date=19 March 2020|access-date=25 March 2020}} Liverpool finally returned to action against Everton in the Merseyside Derby on 21 June with a 0–0 draw.{{cite news |title=Everton 0-0 Liverpool: Goodison Park stalemate delays Reds' title charge |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/everton-vs-liverpool/408274 |access-date=21 June 2020 |publisher=Sky Sports}} The 30-year wait for their 19th top flight title (and first in the Premier League era) was finally ended on 25 June with Chelsea defeating Manchester City,{{cite news |title=Chelsea 2-1 Man City: Liverpool champions after Christian Pulisic and Willian down Pep Guardiola's side |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/chelsea-vs-man-city/408282 |access-date=25 June 2020|publisher=Sky Sports}} leaving City 23 points behind Liverpool with only 21 left available. Liverpool had won the title with a record seven games left in the season.{{cite news |title=Liverpool win Premier League: Reds' 30-year wait for top-flight title ends |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53183857 |access-date=25 June 2020 |agency=BBC}}

On 27 February 2022, Liverpool won a record ninth League Cup following an 11–10 penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea in the Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/feb/27/chelsea-liverpool-carabao-cup-final-match-report|title=Liverpool win Carabao Cup final after beating Chelsea in penalty shootout|date=27 February 2022|work=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2022}} On 3 May 2022, Liverpool defeated Villarreal 5–2 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals to reach the final.{{Cite news |title=Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool (agg 2-5): Jurgen Klopp's side overcome scare to reach Champions League final |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11945/12604828/villarreal-2-3-liverpool-agg-2-5-jurgen-klopps-side-overcome-scare-to-reach-champions-league-final |access-date=12 July 2022 |website=Sky Sports}} On 14 May 2022, Liverpool beat Chelsea 6–5 on penalties in the 2022 FA Cup final after a 0–0 draw to win their eighth FA Cup and their first under Klopp, completing the domestic cup double for the 2021–22 season.{{cite news |date=15 May 2022 |title=Liverpool edge Chelsea to win FA Cup on penalties as Kostas Tsimikas settles thriller |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-chelsea-result-fa-cup-final-2022-b2079112.html |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=The Independent}} However, they finished a season-long title battle as runners-up to Manchester City by one point for the second time in four seasons despite having a 3–1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day in the Premier League.{{cite news |last=Bantock |first=Jack |date=22 May 2022 |title=Liverpool agonizingly misses out on the Premier League title despite beating Wolves |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/22/football/liverpool-premier-league-wolves-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=29 July 2022 |publisher=CNN}} On 28 May 2022, Liverpool were defeated 1–0 in the Champions League final against Real Madrid, Klopp's second Champions League final loss in charge of the club.{{Cite web |author=Matias Grez |title=Real Madrid beats Liverpool to win Champions League title on a night marred by security issues |date=28 May 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/28/football/champions-league-final-liverpool-real-madrid-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=3 July 2022 |publisher=CNN}}

On 30 July 2022, Liverpool won their first FA Community Shield under Klopp and their 16th overall, defeating Manchester City 3–1 to claim the 2022 title.{{Cite web |date=30 July 2022 |title=Salah and Núñez seal Community Shield glory as Liverpool sink Manchester City |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/30/liverpool-manchester-city-community-shield-match-report |access-date=4 August 2022 |work=The Guardian}} On 26 January 2024, Klopp confirmed his intention to leave Liverpool at the end of the 2023–24 Premier League season.{{Cite web |title=Jürgen Klopp announces decision to step down as Liverpool manager at end of season - Liverpool FC |url=https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/jurgen-klopp-announces-decision-step-down-liverpool-manager-end-season |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=www.liverpoolfc.com |date=26 January 2024 |language=en}} On 25 February 2024, Liverpool won their record-extending 10th English League Cup title defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on a 118th minute header by Captain Virgil Van Dijk.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/25/chelsea-liverpool-carabao-cup-match-report | title=Liverpool win Carabao Cup as van Dijk's extra-time header sinks Chelsea | newspaper=The Guardian | date=25 February 2024 | last1=Hytner | first1=David }} On 26 April 2024, BBC News announced that Arne Slot, head coach of Eredivisie Club Feyenoord would take over as head coach in the 2024-25 season.{{Cite web |last=Manghera |first=Sandeep |date=2024-04-26 |title=Liverpool agree £9.4m Slot deal with Feyenoord |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn40r131z2no/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Notes

References

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History (1985-present)

Category:History of association football clubs in England