Anglo-Italian rivalries resume tonight in Turkey 21 years after Liverpool last lifted the European champions trophy. Ex-Liverpool striker David Hodgson tells Lee Hall about that night in Rome.
Watching from the safe haven of the Liverpool bench on a mild Rome evening in 1984, David Hodgson witnessed events unfold that would change the face of English football 12 months later.
While the missile-throwing antics of Roma fans went almost unnoticed 21 years ago, Hodgson strongly believes what happened in the Heysel Stadium against Juventus a year later - when 39 fans died - was a fatal conclusion to Liverpool's previous encounter with Italian opposition.
Tonight Anglo-Italian rivalries re-commence when Liverpool face AC Milan in the Champions League final.
Hodgson played only a bit-part in Liverpool's European Cup success when he was an unused substitute in Rome two decades ago.
However, the Darlington manager still recalls the hostility, which marred the Reds' success.
He said: "What happened at Heysel was reflected in what went on in Rome a year earlier. The Liverpool fans were bombarded in one corner of the ground with all sorts of objects. It was a frightening experience and one which I will never forget.
"The game at Heysel should never have gone ahead and I still can't believe to this day that it was allowed to be played after what happened.
"It was decided the game would continue because many felt there would be as much trouble in a re-match, so it was a case of getting the game over and done with."
Just as Joe Fagan's Liverpool went to Rome as underdogs 21 years ago, Rafael Benitez's side are equally as unfancied in Galatasaray's Ataturk Stadium in Turkey tonight.
"We went to Rome to play Roma 21 years ago and on that night Liverpool were not favourites," said Hodgson.
But stood at the back of the players tunnel moments before kick-off, a fresh-faced 23-year-old from Gateshead soon eased any pre-match nerves with a rendition of Chris Rea's hit, 'I Don't Know What It Is But I Love It'.
He recalled: "Before I knew it the whole team were singing it and it frightened the life out of Roma. They were going into the biggest game of their lives and opposite them were 15 Liverpool players singing at the top of their voices."
Long before the Anfield Rap, the dulcet tones of Hodgson and his team-mates appeared to have the desired calming effect when Phil Neal put Liverpool into a 14th minute lead. But after Roberto Pruzzo levelled just before half-time for Roma the game - watched by 69,693 at the Stadio Olimpico - eventually went to penalties.
"There were lads like Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy who wanted to take the penalties, while others weren't as keen," said Hodgson.
Steve Nicol missed Liverpool's opening kick, but Bruce Grobbelaar's jelly-legged antics forced a miss from Francesco Graziani, before Kennedy stepped up with the match-winning penalty.
Hodgson said: "The game will always be remembered for Brucie doing his stupid tricks during the penalties, but I will never forget people like Joe Fagan running around the pitch afterwards like they were 15-year-olds.
"The security in the hotel in Rome afterwards was tight. We had Gary Gillespie playing on the piano, me and Sammy Lee singing and Graeme Souness was the champagne man."
Under Fagan, and then Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool continued to dominate during the 80s - albeit restricted to the domestic front following UEFA's decision to ban all English clubs from European competition following the Heysel disaster.
But as the likes of Alan Hansen and Ian Rush neared the end of their distinguished careers, Liverpool's grip on English football loosened in the early 90s.
"The Liverpool side disintegrated and those players were never replaced," said Hodgson. "The same circle has happened with Leeds recently and it might even be happening with Manchester United now.
"A lot of players were signed by Liverpool who were simply not good enough."
Despite finishing 37 points behind Premiership champions Chelsea, Liverpool have eclipsed their domestic rivals on the European stage this season.
"When Liverpool were dominant, as they were during the 80s, there was never that gap of over 30 points between them and the league leaders," said Hodgson. "If they win the Champions League people will forget about the route they took and the points difference.
"I think they've been very fortunate to get where they have, but as the games have gone on they will believe they can win this one."
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