football analysis

The football analysisReds have become accustomed to special European away nights and that UEFA Cup semi-final first leg stands the test of time.

In what was Bob Paisley's second season as boss, the team's European adventure of 1975-76 had taken them through Scotland, Spain, Poland and Germany, overcoming Hibernian, Real Sociedad, Slask Wroclaw and Dynamo Dresden.

The coin toss and traditional pennant swap between captains Emlyn Hughesand Johan Cruyff signalled the beginning of what would become an historic affair.

Sporting an all-white strip, it was the first time Liverpool had played at Camp Nou and the sound of 70,000 spectators made it a cauldron of noise.

Paisley's men needed to navigate their way through that loud atmosphere to bring a result back to Anfield.

They got themselves ahead with 13 minutes on the clock, and the breakthrough could only have come from one man.

Kevin Keeganplayed the ball to Toshack, who struck the ball past goalkeeper Pere Mora into the bottom left corner and silenced the stadium.

The Welsh forward ended up as Liverpool's top scorer that term with 23 goals in all competitions, six of which came in the UEFA Cup.

The aim now for the Reds was to protect that invaluable lead.

The defensive qualities of the likes of Phil Nealand Phil Thompson, alongside Ray Clemencebetween the sticks, were relied upon to nullify the attacking threat of Dutch duo Johan Neeskens and Cruyff. Their clean sheet was preserved and Liverpool took a slim lead to Anfield.

A fortnight later, Barçaarrived at L4 for the return leg but with a new manager in the dugout.

Hennes Weisweiler left his position following a breakdown in his relationship with club icon Cruyff. Laureano Ruiz was the replacement.

More than 55,000 fans packed Anfield to see the Reds finish the job and reach the final for the second time, having won it under Bill Shanklyin 1973.

Thompson's opener early in the second half doubled Liverpool's aggregate lead, though the Spanish visitors responded immediately through Carlos Rexach.

Regardless, the home side held on to advance to the showpiece, where they would prevail against Club Brugge over two legs.

The 4-3 aggregate victory over Brugge meant Paisley's Reds followed up their First Division triumph to complete a double.