Jump to content

1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Liverpool
1997–98 season
ManagerRoy Evans
StadiumAnfield
Premier League3rd
FA CupThird round
League CupSemi-finals
UEFA CupSecond round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Michael Owen (18)

All:
Michael Owen (23)
Highest home attendance44,532 vs. Bolton Wanderers (7 March 1998)
Lowest home attendance34,705 vs. Sheffield Wednesday (13 September 1997)
Average home league attendance40,628

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.

Season summary

[edit]

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.[1] 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 Premier League 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

[edit]

First-team squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG David James
2 DF England ENG Rob Jones
3 DF Norway NOR Bjørn Tore Kvarme
4 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Jason McAteer[a]
5 DF England ENG Mark Wright
6 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Phil Babb[b]
7 MF England ENG Steve McManaman
8 MF Norway NOR Oyvind Leonhardsen
9 FW England ENG Robbie Fowler
11 MF England ENG Jamie Redknapp
12 DF England ENG Steve Harkness
13 FW Germany GER Karl-Heinz Riedle
14 DF England ENG Neil Ruddock
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Czech Republic CZE Patrik Berger
16 MF England ENG Michael Thomas
17 MF England ENG Paul Ince (captain)
18 FW England ENG Michael Owen
19 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Kennedy
20 DF Norway NOR Stig Inge Bjørnebye
21 DF England ENG Dominic Matteo[c]
22 GK England ENG Tony Warner[d]
23 DF England ENG Jamie Carragher
24 MF England ENG Danny Murphy
25 MF England ENG David Thompson
29 GK United States USA Brad Friedel

Reserve squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
26 GK Denmark DEN Jørgen Nielsen
27 FW Scotland SCO Paul Dalglish
28 MF Australia AUS Nicky Rizzo
30 MF Iceland ISL Haukur Ingi Guðnason
31 DF Wales WAL Gareth Roberts
32 MF Wales WAL Danny Williams
DF England ENG Neil Murphy
DF England ENG Stephen Wright
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Wales WAL Eifion Jones
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Paul O'Mara
MF England ENG Jamie Cassidy
MF England ENG Steven Gerrard
MF England ENG Adriano Rigoglioso
MF Wales WAL Leyton Maxwell
FW England ENG Jon Newby

Statistics

[edit]

Appearances and goals

[edit]
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 England ENG David James 37 0 27 0 1 0 5 0 4 0
29 GK United States USA Brad Friedel 11 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Defenders
2 DF England ENG Rob Jones 26 0 20+1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0
3 DF Norway NOR Bjørn Tore Kvarme 30 0 22+1 0 1 0 2 0 4 0
5 DF England ENG Mark Wright 7 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
6 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Phil Babb 20 0 18+1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
12 DF England ENG Steve Harkness 31 0 24+1 0 1 0 3+1 0 1 0
14 DF England ENG Neil Ruddock 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
20 DF Norway NOR Stig Inge Bjørnebye 32 0 24+1 0 0 0 3 0 4 0
21 DF Scotland SCO Dominic Matteo 33 0 24+2 0 1 0 4 0 2 0
23 DF England ENG Jamie Carragher 23 0 17+3 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
Midfielders
4 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jason McAteer 26 2 15+6 2 1 0 3 0 1 0
7 MF England ENG Steve McManaman 46 12 36 11 1 0 5 0 4 1
8 MF Norway NOR Øyvind Leonhardsen 36 6 27+1 6 1 0 3+2 0 2 0
11 MF England ENG Jamie Redknapp 26 5 20 3 1 1 3 1 2 0
15 MF Czech Republic CZE Patrik Berger 28 4 6+16 3 0+1 0 2+1 1 1+1 0
16 MF England ENG Michael Thomas 13 1 10+1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
17 MF England ENG Paul Ince 40 8 31 8 1 0 4 0 4 0
19 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Kennedy 1 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 MF England ENG Danny Murphy 17 0 6+10 0 0+1 0 0 0 0 0
25 MF England ENG David Thompson 5 1 1+4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Forwards
9 FW England ENG Robbie Fowler 28 13 19+1 9 1 0 4 3 3 1
13 FW Germany GER Karl-Heinz Riedle 34 7 18+7 6 1 0 2+3 0 1+2 1
18 FW England ENG 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

[edit]
Rank No. Pos Nat Name Premier League FA Cup League Cup UEFA Cup Total
1 18 FW England Michael Owen 18 0 4 1 23
2 9 FW England Robbie Fowler 9 0 3 1 13
3 7 MF England Steve McManaman 11 0 0 1 12
4 17 MF England Paul Ince 8 0 0 0 8
5 13 FW Germany Karl-Heinz Riedle 6 0 0 1 7
6 8 MF Norway Øyvind Leonhardsen 6 0 0 0 6
7 11 MF England Jamie Redknapp 3 1 1 0 5
8 15 MF Czech Republic Patrick Berger 3 0 1 0 4
9 4 MF Republic of Ireland Jason McAteer 2 0 0 0 2
10 16 MF England Michael Thomas 1 0 0 0 1
25 MF England David Thompson 1 0 0 0 1
Totals 68 1 9 4 82

Competition top scorers

[edit]
Competition Result Top Scorer
Premier League 3rd England Michael Owen, 18
UEFA Cup Second round England Robbie Fowler
England Steve McManaman
England Michael Owen
Germany Karl-Heinz Riedle, 1
FA Cup Third round England Jamie Redknapp, 1
League Cup Semi-finals England Michael Owen, 4
Overall England Michael Owen, 23

Competitions

[edit]

Premier League

[edit]

League table

[edit]
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[e]
5 Leeds United 38 17 8 13 57 46 +11 59 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[f]
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.

Results by round

[edit]
Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAAAHAAHHA
ResultDLDWWDWLWLWDWLWLWWWWWDWDLDDLWDWDWDLWWL
Position111416126665656555656444323444454333333333

Matches

[edit]
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'
Haaland 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

[edit]

Matches

[edit]
3 January 1998 3rd Round Liverpool 1–3 Coventry Liverpool
Redknapp 7' Huckerby 45'
Dublin 62'
Telfer 87'
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 33,388
Referee: Mike Riley

League Cup

[edit]

Matches

[edit]
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' Report 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

[edit]

Matches

[edit]
16 September 1997 1st Round 1st Leg Celtic 2-2 Liverpool Glasgow
McNamara 53'
Donnelly 74 pen.'
Report 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
Report 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'
Report 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'
Report Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 32,426
Referee: Rune Pedersen

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Webster, Peter (23 March 2012). "Ranking Liverpool's 19 Premier League Seasons". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
[edit]