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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Michael Owen, 18 |
| UEFA Cup | Second round | Robbie Fowler Steve McManaman Michael Owen Karl-Heinz Riedle, 1 |
| FA Cup | Third round | Jamie Redknapp, 1 |
| League Cup | Semi-finals | Michael Owen, 4 |
| Overall | Michael Owen, 23 |
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] |
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion.
Notes:
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  55' |
Owen 70' (pen.) |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 26,106 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 13 August 1997 2 | Liverpool | 1–2 | Leicester City | Liverpool |
| Ince 85' |
Elliott 1' Fenton 83' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 35,007 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 23 August 1997 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–1 | Liverpool | Blackburn |
| Dahlin 85' |
Owen 52' |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 30,187 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 26 August 1997 4 | Leeds United | 0–2 | Liverpool | Leeds |
| McManaman 23' Riedle 75' |
Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 39,775 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 13 September 1997 5 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Liverpool |
| Ince 55' Thomas 68' |
Collins 80' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,705 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 20 September 1997 6 | Southampton | 1–1 | Liverpool | Southampton |
| Davies 48' |
Riedle 37' |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,252 Referee: Peter Jones |
| 22 September 1997 7 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Aston Villa | Liverpool |
| 20:00 | Fowler 56' (pen.) McManaman 79'Riedle 90' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 34,843 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 27 September 1997 8 | West Ham United | 2–1 | Liverpool | London |
| Hartson 16' Berkovic 65' |
Fowler 52' |
Stadium: Upton Park Attendance: 25,908 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 5 October 1997 9 | Liverpool | 4–2 | Chelsea | Liverpool |
| 16:00 | Berger 20', 35', 57' Fowler 64' |
Zola 22' Poyet 85' (pen.) |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 36,647 Referee: David Elleray |
| 18 October 1997 10 | Everton | 2–0 | Liverpool | Liverpool |
| Ruddock 45' (o.g.) Cadamarteri 75' |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 40,112 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 25 October 1997 11 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Derby County | Liverpool |
| Fowler 27', 84' Leonhardsen 65'McManaman 88' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,017 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 1 November 1997 12 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| Blake 84' |
Fowler 1' |
Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 8 November 1997 13 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Liverpool |
| McManaman 48' Leonhardsen 50'Redknapp 65'Owen 86' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 38,006 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 22 November 1997 14 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Barnsley | Liverpool |
| Ward 35' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,011 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 30 November 1997 15 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Liverpool | London |
| 16:00 | McManaman 55' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 38,094 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 6 December 1997 16 | Liverpool | 1–3 | Manchester United | Liverpool |
| Fowler 60' (pen.) |
Cole 51', 74' Beckham 70' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 41,027 Referee: David Elleray |
| 13 December 1997 17 | Crystal Palace | 0–3 | Liverpool | London |
| McManaman 39' Owen 56'Leonhardsen 61' |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 25,790 Referee: Neale Barry |
| 20 December 1997 18 | Liverpool | 1–0 | Coventry City | Liverpool |
| Owen 14' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 39,707 Referee: Paul Alcock |
| 26 December 1997 19 | Liverpool | 3–1 | Leeds United | Liverpool |
| Owen 46' Fowler 79', 83' |
Håland 84' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,854 Referee: Steve Lodge |
| 28 December 1997 20 | Newcastle United | 1–2 | Liverpool | Newcastle |
| 17:00 | Watson 16' |
McManaman 31', 43' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,702 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 10 January 1998 21 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Wimbledon | Liverpool |
| Redknapp 71', 84' |
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 17' |
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 24', 90+4' |
Hirst 8' (pen.), 90' Østenstad 85' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,550 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 14 February 1998 26 | Sheffield Wednesday | 3–3 | Liverpool | Sheffield |
| Carbone 7' Di Canio 63'Hinchcliffe 69' |
Owen 27', 73', 78' |
Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 35,405 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 23 February 1998 27 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Everton | Liverpool |
| Ince 68' |
Ferguson 58' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,501 Referee: Peter Jones |
| 28 February 1998 28 | Aston Villa | 2–1 | Liverpool | Birmingham |
| Collymore 10', 65' |
Owen 6' (pen.) |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 39,572 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 7 March 1998 29 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Liverpool |
| Ince 58' Owen 65' |
A. Thompson 7' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,532 Referee: Keith Burge |
| 14 March 1998 30 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3–3 | Liverpool | London |
| Klinsmann 13' Ginola 49'Vega 80' |
McManaman 21', 89' Ince 64' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 30,245 Referee: Uriah Rennie |
| 28 March 1998 31 | Barnsley | 2–3 | Liverpool | Barnsley |
| Redfearn 37' (pen.), 85' |
Riedle 44', 59' McManaman 90' |
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 18,864 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 10 April 1998 32 | Manchester United | 1–1 | Liverpool | Manchester |
| Johnsen 12' |
Owen 36' |
Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 55,171 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 13 April 1998 33 | Liverpool | 2–1 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool |
| Leonhardsen 29' Thompson 85' |
Bent 72' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,007 Referee: Graham Barber |
| 19 April 1998 34 | Coventry City | 1–1 | Liverpool | Coventry |
| Dublin 47' (pen.) |
Owen 33' |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 22,721 Referee: Neale Barry |
| 25 April 1998 35 | Chelsea | 4–1 | Liverpool | London |
| Hughes 11', 78' Clarke 67'Flo 72' |
Riedle 45' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 34,639 Referee: Gerald Ashby |
| 2 May 1998 36 | Liverpool | 5–0 | West Ham United | Liverpool |
| Owen 4' McAteer 21', 25'Leonhardsen 45'Ince 61' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,414 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 6 May 1998 37 | Liverpool | 4–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| Ince 28', 30' Owen 40'Leonhardsen 87' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 44,417 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 10 May 1998 38 | Derby County | 1–0 | Liverpool | Derby |
| Wanchope 63' |
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 52' Fowler 89' |
Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 21,986 Referee: Alan Wilkie |
| 18 November 1997 4th Round | Liverpool | 3-0 | Grimsby | Liverpool |
| Owen 27', 45', 57' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 28,515 Referee: Roy Pearson |
| 7 January 1998 Quarter Final | Newcastle United | 0-2 (a.e.t.) | Liverpool | Newcastle |
| Owen 95' Fowler 103' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 33,207 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 27 January 1998 Semi Final 1st Leg | Liverpool | 2-1 | Middlesbrough | Liverpool |
| Redknapp 31' Fowler 82' |
Merson 29' |
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 2' (pen.) Branca 4' |
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 53' Donnelly 74 pen.' |
Owen 6' McManaman 89' |
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 20' 63' Conteh 69' |
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 63 pen.' Riedle 84' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 32,426 Referee: Rune Pedersen |
Notes
External links
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