Bruce Grobbelaar had been here before. An Arsenal player bearing down on goal at the Anfield Road End of Liverpool's famous stadium in a crucial match in the title race, as millions watched on collectively holding their breath. Time seemed to stand still as keeper and attacker waited for the decisive moment.
Paul Merson's goal for Arsenal at Anfield in March 1991 was obviously not as dramatic as that Michael Thomas strike two seasons before. But there can be no doubting that it played a significant part in the destiny of the championship during the 1990/91 campaign.
Up until the meeting of the two title contenders in front of the ITV cameras on Sunday March 3, it seemed as if obstacles were constantly being thrown into Arsenal's path. Yet the backs to the wall triumph at Anfield felt like the tipping point of the season, shifting momentum towards north London as all of a sudden it was Liverpool who appeared a club in crisis.
The mood surrounding Arsenal a few months earlier was understandably less optimistic. Deducted two points for their part in the brawl at the Battle of Old Trafford in October, Arsenal sat eight points behind champions Liverpool. When news broke in December that skipper Tony Adams was being sent to prison for drink-driving, Arsenal's task was made that much harder.
If there was one man who could use these setbacks as fuel for motivation then it was Arsenal manager George Graham. Developing a siege mentality at the club, Graham remained bullish, adamant that Arsenal could catch Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool even if perceived logic suggested another title for the red machine.
Defeat in their 24th league match of the season at Chelsea - Arsenal's only league loss in the season - raised more questions, but Arsenal would bounce back emphatically. However, it was the shock news coming out of Anfield on February 22 that handed Arsenal the biggest boost in a season that had so far proved testing.
In retrospect, the resignation of Kenny Dalglish during the 1990/91 season should not have been such a surprise. A man hit so hard by the unimaginable tragedy of Hillsborough finally ran out of fuel, understandably drained by the stresses involved in managing the club during this period. Liverpool may have been going for the double, but after their 4-4 draw with Everton in the FA Cup, Dalglish stood down.
The news shook football. A day later, Liverpool lost 3-1 at Luton in the league, and when Everton knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup the following midweek, an unusual environment of doubt surrounded the champions. With Ronnie Moran in temporary charge, the Arsenal match now took on extra significance.
"Arsenal have always been a good team, but we're not frightened," Moran said. "We'll have a go at them as we do against any team, and they'll be as frightened as anyone of coming here." But with Liverpool missing the injured duo of Steve McMahon and Ronnie Whelan, and Alan Hansen recently announcing his retirement from football, Liverpool were fragile.
Vulnerable they may have been, yet during the first half it seemed as if rumours of a crisis at Liverpool had been greatly exaggerated. Wave upon wave of attacks battered down on the Arsenal back five, Adams facing a baptism of fire in his return to league action. But one man in particular stood firm.
At first, Arsenal fans were unsure about the need to sign goalkeeper David Seaman for a record fee of £1.3 million. Replacing the popular John Lukic seemed an unnecessary move. But George knew; Seaman's performances were a huge factor in Arsenal's fine season, his display at Anfield a prime example of his importance to the team.
Seaman's first save from John Barnes was the pick of the bunch, although he did well to keep out efforts from Jan Molby and Steve Nicol, and was quick to react in thwarting Barnes. Just before the break, Seaman's flying leap denied Barnes from a free kick. Merson had missed a couple of decent chances for Arsenal but the visitors were relieved to get in level.
Having weathered the storm in the first half, Arsenal grew into the game. Grobbelaar was forced into a save from Thomas, as Arsenal's 1989 hero and another youth product in David Hillier started to dominate midfield. And then in the 66th minute came the knockout blow after a misplaced pass from Peter Beardsley.
Merson had lived a charmed life at Arsenal. His drunken behaviour in the past year had tested the patience of many at the club. Luckily for Merson though, Graham knew the value of the forward. Playing a beautiful one-two with Alan Smith just over the halfway line, now Merson had the chance to repay the faith of his boss.
Merson certainly didn't panic. As Grobbelaar narrowed the angle, Merson moved closer before nonchalantly flicking the ball past Liverpool's keeper. As if in slow motion, Merson's effort crept towards the unguarded net. Liverpool's Glenn Hysen could do little as he tried unsuccessfully to get back in time. Delirium in the Arsenal end.
There was no way back for Liverpool. Seaman's brilliance and Merson's goal had broken their spirit, in much the same way as Schmeichel and Cantona would do to Newcastle in 1996. Arsenal were now three points clear, but Liverpool had now lost three in a row since Dalglish's departure and the cracks were showing.
"Arsenal's victory in an absorbing match decided nothing, but said plenty," the Guardian's David Lacey wrote. "This time the League championship was not won or lost, merely pointed more firmly in a southerly direction." With 12 games to go, it was advantage Arsenal.
Although Seaman rightfully earned rave reviews for his display, the scorer of the winning goal also shared in the glory, declaring his gratitude towards Graham. "Last season was a nightmare for me. I was going downhill. I was lucky the gaffer gave me another chance because I should not be at the club. At last I've got my act together."
Eventually Arsenal proved too strong for Liverpool, winning the title by seven (or should that be nine) points. Heavily linked with John Toshack, Graeme Souness would be appointed to replace Dalglish on April 16, but by this point Liverpool were playing catch-up. Two Liverpool defeats over the early Bank Holiday weekend in May saw Arsenal crowned champions.
A combination of Dalglish's departure, Arsenal's win at Anfield and their march to the title, added with Souness' troubled time at the club laid the foundations for what was to follow at Liverpool. Alex Ferguson may have taken full advantage, but those events in 1991 ensured Liverpool were already off their perch before United ended their title drought in 1993.
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