EPL: No match for class of 1987/88

EPL: No match for class of 1987/88

It was April 13, 1988, at Anfield on a Wednesday night.

Liverpool put on a masterclass, routing Nottingham Forest 5-0 in a display that could best be described as symphony on legs.

Many of those who watched it were left spellbound by its magic, intoxicated by its stardust.

The late England legend Sir Tom Finney said at the time: "It was the finest exhibition I've seen the whole time I've played and watched the game.

"You couldn't see it bettered anywhere, not even in Brazil."

Brian Clough's Forest were no sissies. With a squad packed with quality such as Stuart Pearce, Des Walker, Neil Webb and Nigel Clough, they would go on to finish third in the league.

But Liverpool were something else. The victory over Forest came to be held as the benchmark of their excellence.

Behind him, John Aldridge was backed by sheer finesse, in the form of John Barnes, who scooped the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award and Football Writers' Association gong at the end of that season.

And Peter Beardsley, whose fleet of foot drew imaginary lines in the head.

The backline of Steve Nicol, Gary Gillespie, Alan Hansen and Gary Ablett provided equal measure of steel and flair. In 40 league games, the defence conceded 24 goals - the division's best record - while Gillespie and Nicol also found freedom to put in 10 at the other end.

The mention of these names in one breath will put any Liverpool fan in a trance.

This was regarded by some as the best Liverpool team ever assembled.

Aldridge had good cause for his optimism over Brendan Rodgers' outfit.

The Reds are showing signs of a long-overdue revival.

Although four points behind leaders Chelsea, they have a game in hand. And with the Blues and Manchester City yet to visit Anfield, the Kop are right on the edge of their seats.

The style, though, was what had Aldridge drooling. He said: "Under previous managers we went to places like Old Trafford looking to grind out results, but the current crop go to every ground with such a positive mentality and looking to win.

"Not since the Liverpool team I played in during the late 80s has the club played such an exciting brand of football."

Much of the resurgence has to do with the scintillating form of Luis Suarez, the striker who has shredded many a Premiership team to pieces with his 25 goals and 10 assists - both tallies are top on their respective charts.

VERVE AND CLASS

The Uruguayan brings to the frontline a dash of verve and class unrivalled by any in England.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is the calming influence in the middle of the park, picking out his teammates regardless of distance and dictating the tempo with majestic ease.

But these are just about the only two players who could have walked into Kenny Dalglish's first 11.

Daniel Sturridge, with 18 league goals under his belt, stands nothing more than an outside chance.

The rest, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling included, will struggle to even share a bench with Jan Molby.

Liverpool of that era was an indestructible force of remarkable balance from back to front.

Gerrard and company are a severely top-heavy team that rely on their attacking prowess and individual quality to get them out of trouble.

To say that this current Liverpool team can match that legendary 1987/88 side will be an exaggeration, let alone the claim that they are better.

There lies another crucial difference between the two.

Liverpool under Dalglish were a powerful institution in their prime.

Rodgers' side are still on the learning curve, albeit a very steep one.

They may one day go on to emulate, or dare we say it, surpass their seniors.

Or they can also quite easily slip into oblivion like the many before them.

So, no, they aren't as good as the class of 1987/88. Not even close.

 


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