1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season
The 1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season was the 106th season in the club's existence, and their 36th consecutive year in the top-flight of English football. In addition to the Premier League, the club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup, and the UEFA Cup.
1997–98 season | |||
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Manager | Roy Evans | ||
Stadium | Anfield | ||
FA Carling Premiership | 3rd | ||
FA Cup | Third round | ||
Worthington Cup | Semi-finals | ||
UEFA Cup | Second round | ||
Top goalscorer | League: Michael Owen (18) All: Michael Owen (23) | ||
Highest home attendance | 44,532 vs. Bolton Wanderers (7 March 1998) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 34,705 vs. Sheffield Wednesday (13 September 1997) | ||
Average home league attendance | 40,628 | ||
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Season summary
Liverpool's season saw them feature regularly in the title race, though in the end they just couldn't get the better of champions Arsenal and runners-up Manchester United. But the real success of the season was the emergence of 18-year-old striker Michael Owen. The Chester-born youngster had impressed in a handful of appearances during 1996–97, but his impact during 1997–98 was outstanding—18 goals from 36 Premiership games, especially after Robbie Fowler was ruled out for much of the campaign with a broken leg. In midfield, the arrival of Paul Ince sought to add steel to a side creatively centred on playmaker Steve McManaman, but the team were at the peak of their Spice Boys era, and underachieved in the end, eventually finishing in third place – meaning that Liverpool would be challenging in the UEFA Cup for 1998–99.
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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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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Statistics
Appearances and Goals
No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | UEFA Cup | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
1 | GK | ![]() |
David James | 37 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
29 | GK | ![]() |
Brad Friedel | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defenders | |||||||||||||
2 | DF | ![]() |
Rob Jones | 26 | 0 | 20+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
3 | DF | ![]() |
Bjørn Tore Kvarme | 30 | 0 | 22+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
5 | DF | ![]() |
Mark Wright | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
6 | DF | ![]() |
Phil Babb | 20 | 0 | 18+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
12 | DF | ![]() |
Steve Harkness | 31 | 0 | 24+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
14 | DF | ![]() |
Neil Ruddock | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
20 | DF | ![]() |
Stig Inge Bjørnebye | 32 | 0 | 24+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
21 | DF | ![]() |
Dominic Matteo | 33 | 0 | 24+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
23 | DF | ![]() |
Jamie Carragher | 23 | 0 | 17+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Midfielders | |||||||||||||
4 | MF | ![]() |
Jason McAteer | 26 | 2 | 15+6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
7 | MF | ![]() |
Steve McManaman | 46 | 12 | 36 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
8 | MF | ![]() |
Øyvind Leonhardsen | 36 | 6 | 27+1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
11 | MF | ![]() |
Jamie Redknapp | 26 | 5 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
15 | MF | ![]() |
Patrik Berger | 28 | 4 | 6+16 | 3 | 0+1 | 0 | 2+1 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 |
16 | MF | ![]() |
Michael Thomas | 13 | 1 | 10+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
17 | MF | ![]() |
Paul Ince | 40 | 8 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
19 | MF | ![]() |
Mark Kennedy | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
24 | MF | ![]() |
Danny Murphy | 17 | 0 | 6+10 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
25 | MF | ![]() |
David Thompson | 5 | 1 | 1+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Forwards | |||||||||||||
9 | FW | ![]() |
Robbie Fowler | 28 | 13 | 19+1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
13 | FW | ![]() |
Karl-Heinz Riedle | 34 | 7 | 18+7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2+3 | 0 | 1+2 | 1 |
18 | FW | ![]() |
Michael Owen | 44 | 23 | 34+2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3+1 | 1 |
Players transferred out during the season |
Last updated: 15 May 1998
Source: Competitions
Goalscorers
Rank | No. | Pos | Nat | Name | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | UEFA Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 18 | FW | ![]() |
Michael Owen | 18 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 23 |
2 | 9 | FW | ![]() |
Robbie Fowler | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
3 | 7 | MF | ![]() |
Steve McManaman | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
4 | 17 | MF | ![]() |
Paul Ince | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
5 | 13 | FW | ![]() |
Karl-Heinz Riedle | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
6 | 8 | MF | ![]() |
Øyvind Leonhardsen | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
7 | 11 | MF | ![]() |
Jamie Redknapp | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
8 | 15 | MF | ![]() |
Patrick Berger | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
9 | 4 | MF | ![]() |
Jason McAteer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
10 | 16 | MF | ![]() |
Michael Thomas | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
25 | MF | ![]() |
David Thompson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
Totals | 68 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 82 |
Competition top scorers
Competition | Result | Top Scorer |
---|---|---|
Premier League | 3rd | ![]() |
UEFA Cup | Second round | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
FA Cup | Third round | ![]() |
League Cup | Semi-finals | ![]() |
Overall | ![]() |
Premier League
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arsenal (C) | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 68 | 33 | +35 | 78 | Qualification for the Champions League group stage |
2 | Manchester United | 38 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 73 | 26 | +47 | 77 | Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round |
3 | Liverpool | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 68 | 42 | +26 | 65 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
4 | Chelsea | 38 | 20 | 3 | 15 | 71 | 43 | +28 | 63 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 5] |
5 | Leeds United | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 57 | 46 | +11 | 59 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[lower-alpha 6] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion.
Notes:
- McAteer was born in Tranmere, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in March 1994.
- Babb was born in Lambeth, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1994.
- 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.
- Warner was born in Liverpool, England, but also qualified to represent Trinidad and Tobago internationally and would make his international debut for Trinidad and Tobago in February 2006.
- Chelsea qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as defending champions. As they were also the League Cup winners, the UEFA Cup berth vacated was awarded to Blackburn Rovers.
- Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.
Results by round
Matches
9 August 1997 1 | Wimbledon | 1–1 | Liverpool | London |
15:00 | Gayle ![]() |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 26,106 Referee: Gary Willard |
13 August 1997 2 | Liverpool | 1–2 | Leicester City | Liverpool |
Ince ![]() |
Elliott ![]() Fenton ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 35,007 Referee: Jeff Winter |
23 August 1997 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–1 | Liverpool | Blackburn |
Dahlin ![]() |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 30,187 Referee: Steve Lodge |
26 August 1997 4 | Leeds United | 0–2 | Liverpool | Leeds |
McManaman ![]() Riedle ![]() |
Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 39,775 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
13 September 1997 5 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Liverpool |
Ince ![]() Thomas ![]() |
Collins ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,705 Referee: Graham Poll |
20 September 1997 6 | Southampton | 1–1 | Liverpool | Southampton |
Davies ![]() |
Riedle ![]() |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,252 Referee: Peter Jones |
22 September 1997 7 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Aston Villa | Liverpool |
20:00 | Fowler ![]() McManaman ![]() Riedle ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,843 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
27 September 1997 8 | West Ham United | 2–1 | Liverpool | London |
Hartson ![]() Berkovic ![]() |
Fowler ![]() |
Stadium: Upton Park Attendance: 25,908 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
5 October 1997 9 | Liverpool | 4–2 | Chelsea | Liverpool |
16:00 | Berger ![]() Fowler ![]() |
Zola ![]() Poyet ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,647 Referee: David Elleray |
18 October 1997 10 | Everton | 2–0 | Liverpool | Liverpool |
Ruddock ![]() Cadamarteri ![]() |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 40,112 Referee: Mike Reed |
25 October 1997 11 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Derby County | Liverpool |
Fowler ![]() Leonhardsen ![]() McManaman ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,017 Referee: Gary Willard |
1 November 1997 12 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
Blake ![]() |
Fowler ![]() |
Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
8 November 1997 13 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Liverpool |
McManaman ![]() Leonhardsen ![]() Redknapp ![]() Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,006 Referee: Steve Lodge |
22 November 1997 14 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Barnsley | Liverpool |
Ward ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,011 Referee: Jeff Winter |
30 November 1997 15 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Liverpool | London |
16:00 | McManaman ![]() |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 38,094 Referee: Graham Poll |
6 December 1997 16 | Liverpool | 1–3 | Manchester United | Liverpool |
Fowler ![]() |
Cole ![]() Beckham ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,027 Referee: David Elleray |
13 December 1997 17 | Crystal Palace | 0–3 | Liverpool | London |
McManaman ![]() Owen ![]() Leonhardsen ![]() |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 25,790 Referee: Neale Barry |
20 December 1997 18 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Coventry City | Liverpool |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 39,707 Referee: Paul Alcock |
26 December 1997 19 | Liverpool | 3–1 | Leeds United | Liverpool |
Owen ![]() Fowler ![]() |
Håland ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,854 Referee: Steve Lodge |
28 December 1997 20 | Newcastle United | 1–2 | Liverpool | Newcastle |
17:00 | Watson ![]() |
McManaman ![]() |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,702 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
10 January 1998 21 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
Redknapp ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,011 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
17 January 1998 22 | Leicester City | 0–0 | Liverpool | Leicester |
Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 21,633 Referee: Steve Dunn |
20 January 1998 23 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,791 Referee: Graham Barber |
31 January 1998 24 | Liverpool | 0–0 | Blackburn Rovers | Liverpool |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,890 Referee: Paul Durkin |
7 February 1998 25 | Liverpool | 2–3 | Southampton | Liverpool |
Owen ![]() |
Hirst ![]() Østenstad ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,550 Referee: Jeff Winter |
14 February 1998 26 | Sheffield Wednesday | 3–3 | Liverpool | Sheffield |
Carbone ![]() Di Canio ![]() Hinchcliffe ![]() |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 35,405 Referee: Mike Reed |
23 February 1998 27 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Everton | Liverpool |
Ince ![]() |
Ferguson ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,501 Referee: Peter Jones |
28 February 1998 28 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Liverpool | Birmingham |
Collymore ![]() |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 39,572 Referee: Graham Poll |
7 March 1998 29 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Liverpool |
Ince ![]() Owen ![]() |
A. Thompson ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,532 Referee: Keith Burge |
14 March 1998 30 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–3 | Liverpool | London |
Klinsmann ![]() Ginola ![]() Vega ![]() |
McManaman ![]() Ince ![]() |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 30,245 Referee: Uriah Rennie |
28 March 1998 31 | Barnsley | 2–3 | Liverpool | Barnsley |
Redfearn ![]() |
Riedle ![]() McManaman ![]() |
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 18,864 Referee: Gary Willard |
10 April 1998 32 | Manchester United | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
Johnsen ![]() |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 55,171 Referee: Graham Poll |
13 April 1998 33 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool |
Leonhardsen ![]() Thompson ![]() |
Bent ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,007 Referee: Graham Barber |
19 April 1998 34 | Coventry City | 1–1 | Liverpool | Coventry |
Dublin ![]() |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 22,721 Referee: Neale Barry |
25 April 1998 35 | Chelsea | 4–1 | Liverpool | London |
Hughes ![]() Clarke ![]() Flo ![]() |
Riedle ![]() |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 34,639 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
2 May 1998 36 | Liverpool | 5–0 | West Ham United | Liverpool |
Owen ![]() McAteer ![]() Leonhardsen ![]() Ince ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,414 Referee: Jeff Winter |
6 May 1998 37 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
Ince ![]() Owen ![]() Leonhardsen ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,417 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
10 May 1998 38 | Derby County | 1–0 | Liverpool | Derby |
Wanchope ![]() |
Stadium: Pride Park Attendance: 30,492 Referee: Steve Lodge |
FA Cup
League Cup
Matches
15 October 1997 3rd Round | West Brom | 0-2 | Liverpool | West Bromwich |
Berger ![]() Fowler ![]() |
Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 21,986 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
18 November 1997 4th Round | Liverpool | 3-0 | Grimsby | Liverpool |
Owen ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 28,515 Referee: Roy Pearson |
7 January 1998 Quarter Final | Newcastle United | 0-2 (a.e.t.) | Liverpool | Newcastle |
Owen ![]() Fowler ![]() |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 33,207 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
27 January 1998 Semi Final 1st Leg | Liverpool | 2-1 | Middlesbrough | Liverpool |
Redknapp ![]() Fowler ![]() |
Merson ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 33,438 Referee: Gary Willard |
18 February 1998 Semi Final 2nd Leg | Middlesbrough | 2-0 (3-2 on agg.) | Liverpool | Middlesbrough |
Merson ![]() Branca ![]() |
Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 29,828 Referee: Paul Durkin |
UEFA Cup
Matches
16 September 1997 1st Round 1st Leg | Celtic | 2-2 | Liverpool | Glasgow |
McNamara ![]() Donnelly ![]() |
Owen ![]() McManaman ![]() |
Stadium: Celtic Park Attendance: 48,526 Referee: Graziano Cesari |
30 September 1997 1st Round 2nd Leg | Liverpool | 0-0 (away goals) | Celtic | Liverpool |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,205 Referee: Edgar Steinborn |
21 October 1997 2nd Round 1st Leg | RC Strasbourg | 3-0 | Liverpool | Strasbourg |
Zitelli ![]() ![]() Conteh ![]() |
Stadium: Stade de la Meinau Attendance: 18,813 Referee: Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira |
4 November 1997 2nd Round 2nd Leg | Liverpool | 2-0 (2-3 on agg.) | RC Strasbourg | Liverpool |
Fowler ![]() Riedle ![]() |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,426 Referee: Rune Pedersen |