LIVERPOOL 0 CITY 0
League Division 1
25th August 1986
Attendance 39,989
Ref Ken Walmsley
City Suckling, May, Wilson, Clements, McCarthy, Redmond; Davies, McNab, Christie, Simpson, I Brightwell – sub Barrett(85)
Liverpool Hooper, Venison, Gillespie, Lawrenson, Whelan, Hansen, Dalglish, Johnston, Rush, Molby, McMahon – sub MacDonald(76)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
MICHAEL NALLY WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 26TH AUGUST 1986
Players and oflicials were involved in almost as much action and verbal fisticuffs off the field after the match as they were before the final whistle at Anfield yesterday. Rush, the Liverpool striker, was “sent off” for the first time in his career as they all headed for the tunnel, accused of using’“foul and abusive language” to Ken Walmsley, the referee.
Dalgllsh, the Liverpool player-manager; accused an unnamed oflicial of swearing at an unknown player, though whether before or after Rush’s alleged offence was not made clear. Dalglish complained “the lad hasn’t got the power to send off the official.”
In a flurry of statements later, Dalgllsh said: “I spoke to the referee twice after the match and we’ll have to wait to see what happens.” Meanwhile Manchester City had good reason to feel chuffed with themselves as they headed home, having held Liverpool to gain a point at Anfleld for only the fourth time ln three decades. They gave as good as they got for periods of both halves, and more fashionable teams would have been proud of their resilience.
The Kop were expecting greater reward for singing in the rain. Rush had goals in the bank from Saturday, and Dalglish picked himself. They combined well although both were occasionally frustrated by the greasy pitch.
Dalglish, like Tom Finney, ls one of those rare players that men take their sons to see. Ron Greenwood the former England manager. said: “He is another man who does things beyond the range of more ordinary mortals.” Apart from a little pace, he has lost nothing over the years; indeed the maturity that now distinguishes his play at its best is an added incentive for caring parents. The pair combined delightfully, Rush racing to receive a back heel here, turning to trap a cool flick there. Johnston and Whelan were energetlc in support of them.
Liverpool absorbed City’s challenge up to half time, and then stepped up their pressure gradually to a peak midway through the second half. Molby drew his team-mates forward, fetching and carrying for the front-runners. sometimes crudely but effectively enough. The City defence were unsettled and even Wilson, who had kept his head when tested earlier, was being forced into error and pulled out of position.
There was no doubt that City deserved to draw. if only for the heart they displayed in clearing a sequence of corners late on which Dalglish floated in. During the last ten minutes they had enough left to take the fight to the other end with Simpson, well fed by Wilson and McCarthy, leading the charge. Gillespie nearly punished them on the break with a cracker from 35 yards which went just over he top, but back they charged.
Rush, frustrated again by both the pitch and Wilson, allowed his temper to get the better of him in the last few minutes. On reflection the subsequent flare-up was not all that surprising.