RONNY ROSENTHAL reflects on the last time Liverpool won the League title — 30 years ago today.
Now the 56-year-old is hoping Reds fans will enjoy that feeling again this year.
Ronnie Rosenthal, left, poses with the title alongside a host of legends the last time Liverpool won the titleCredit: Allsport
The Liverpool legend is hoping to see the current Reds crop end their 30-year wait for the title this season
THE moment I hear the haunting You’ll Never Walk Alone anthem I’m transported back to one of the most memorable moments of my career.
To share a title-winning success with the amazing Liverpool fans 30 years ago — and helping them land the championship is a time I look back on fondly.
At that time people would have laughed if you had suggested that a Reds side who had Alan Hansen, Jan Molby, Ian Rush, John Barnes and Steve McMahon would never enjoy another top-flight title success after this.
This win over QPR was a bit edgy. We had to come back from 1-0 down to clinch victory and the title.
But even if we had drawn or lost, we still had two games remaining at home against Derby and at Coventry where we could have sealed the title.
It also helped that nearest rivals Aston Villa let a two-goal lead slip at Norwich on the same day. Roy Wegerle had put Rangers ahead after 14 minutes.
But Ian Rush levelled five minutes before the break from Steve Nicol’s cross.
Rushy took the ball on his chest and thrashed a shot between Rangers’ keeper David Seaman and his near post.
And it was Nicol again who played a part in the winner after he was felled by Danny Maddix for a second-half penalty.
Barnes, who was voted Footballer of the Year, strode up to convert the winner and the game finished 2-1.
When I left Standard Liege at the start of 1990, my heart was set on playing in Italy at Udinese.
At that time playing there was the equivalent of today’s Premier League.
Instead, I had a trial at Luton, who wanted to sign me but they didn’t have the resources.
The manager at Luton at the time, Jim Ryan, said he would talk to Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool.
Everything happened so quickly and the next thing I was part of the amazing set up at Anfield. My debut was in March 1990 as a substitute in a 3-2 victory against Southampton.
But I made my first start at Charlton on April 11 and netted a hat-trick when the Addicks were playing at Selhurst Park.
Playing for Liverpool manager Dalglish was unique. Compared with my previous bosses, Kenny said very little. And the truth is he didn’t need to.
The Reds team was full of brilliant talent including Alan Hansen and Ian RushCredit: Getty – Contributor
Kenny Dalglish celebrates in the dressing room after beating QPRCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Rosenthal and John Barnes celebrate scoring in a game against CoventryCredit: PA:Press Association
Rosenthal spent four years with LiverpoolCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The players knew their roles and tactically we all slotted in and fed off each other. It was a system that worked brilliantly well.
So much of football has changed since Liverpool’s title success in 1990.
What hasn’t changed are the Liverpool supporters who continue to amaze and sing that incredible anthem that still sends shivers up my spine!
Tam Cowan shares anecdote about John Barnes during Liverpool legend’s stint as Celtic manager
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
