Liverpool F.C. 1–2 Grimsby Town F.C. (2001)

Liverpool v
Grimsby Town (2001)

Event	EFL Cup Third Round
Liverpool Grimsby Town 1 2
Date	9 October 2001 (2001-10-09)
Venue	Anfield, Liverpool
Referee	Eddie Wolstenholme (Lancashire)
Attendance	32,672
Weather	Dry

In the Third round of the 2001–02 EFL Cup, holders Liverpool were drawn at home to Grimsby Town. The game was played on the night of Tuesday 9 October 2001 and was played at Anfield in Liverpool. Eddie Wolstenholme of Preston, Lancashire was the evening's referee.

Grimsby had defeated both Lincoln City and Sheffield United in the previous rounds to earn their tie with the Reds. In the game Liverpool dominated procession and created various chances but could not break down Grimsby in normal time with the score finishing 0-0. In extra time, Town defender David Beharall handballed in the area and Gary McAllister scored the resulting penalty to give Liverpool the lead in the 101st minute. In the 113th minute Marlon Broomes equalised for The Mariners before Phil Jevons long range strike in the final minute of time gave Grimsby a 2–1 victory and passage into the fourth round.

The game is regarded as a cup upset and a giant killing, it also highlighted the story of Phil Jevons who was born and raised in Liverpool and was a Reds fan, he had also recently signed from their cross-city rivals Everton.

Background

Liverpool of the Premier League entered the 2001–02 after winning a treble of trophies the previous year which had included the EFL Cup as well as the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. Liverpool's form coming into the game had seen them unbeaten in their previous six fixtures in all competitions, having won their last three with victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Dynamo Kyiv and a 2–0 away win over Newcastle United in the penultimate game. The club had also won both the FA Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup prior to this fixture.

Grimsby Town had began their Football League Division One season in good fashion and had lead the division back in early September following a victory over Barnsley, however The Mariners had not won in their last seven games and had lost their previous three games against Gillingham and Bradford City before a 2–0 home defeat to Rotherham United only three days earlier.

The two sides had last met in the same competition in the same stadium during the 1997–98 season with Liverpool winning the game 3–0. Liverpool entered the competition in the third round and this was their first game in defending their trophy since last year's final. Grimsby had been drawn at home against local rivals Lincoln City in the first round, and with second-half goals from Phil Jevons and Jonathan Rowan cancelling out Tony Battersby's opener they won the match 2-1. In the second round Grimsby drew 3–3 at home with Sheffield United with goals from Marlon Broomes, Michael Jeffrey and Bradley Allen before winning the resulting penalty shootout 4-2.

Grimsby Town had four players on their books with links to Liverpool, although not used in this game, striker Chris Thompson had been Liverpool's reserve team top scorer the previous year had joined Grimsby only several months prior, where as Phil Jevons was born and raised a Liverpool fan and had recently signed for the club from cross-city rivals Everton. Town defender Simon Ford although not from Liverpool or ever playing for the club is the nephew of former Reds legend Mark Walters, where as striker Michael Jeffrey was born in the city.

In the lead up to the game both sides were without key players. The hosts were without Igor Biscan as well as a trio of England internationals with Robbie Fowler missing the game due to a chest infection, Steven Gerrard suspended and Michael Owen described as a week away from being fully fit. In contrast Grimsby were missing right back John McDermott with a calf injury as well as Steve Livingstone, Paul Raven, Menno Willems and Michael Jeffrey. Stacy Coldicott was recovering from an injury but was expected to at least be on the bench, whilst loanee David Beharall who was initially reported to cup-tied was eventually allowed to play by his parent club Newcastle United.

Match

Summary

Phil Jevons (pictured in 2009) scored the winning goal for Grimsby Town.

Liverpool dominated the game in both chances and possession and created numerous opportunities during the game, Gary McAllister went close several times with dangerous free-kicks and there was notable efforts by Vladimir Smicer and Jari Litmanen. Liverpool lost Gregory Vignal to a broken foot in 21st minute and he was replaced by Frode Kippe.

Grimsby goalkeeper Danny Coyne pulled off a string of top saves including a double save from Litmanen and Smicer in the 55th minute. In the 64th minute Emile Heskey came on to replace Dietmar Hamann and it was Heskey who nearly opened the scoring with a bullet header that beat Coyne but was cleared off the line by Danny Butterfield and likewise Litmanen saw a goal bound effort cleared off the line by Tony Gallimore. Grimsby rarely threatened other than Ben Chapman's effort that went over the bar. In the 77th minute Jamie Redknapp replaced Litmanen and in the 81st minute Grimsby brought on Michael Boulding for Jonathan Rowan. In the 83rd minute Sami Hyppia tugged back at Boulding's shirt in the penalty area but this was not picked up by the officials. With the game ending 0-0 after normal time Grimsby had become the first team not to concede a goal at Anfield up to that point in the season.

In the first half of extra time David Beharall handled the ball in the area and Gary McAllister opened the scoring from the resulting penalty after 101 minutes of play. Grimsby responded to Liverpool going ahead by bringing on another forward in Bradley Allen to replace defender, Chapman. In the 113th minute Stuart Campbell's cross was headed by Allen and deflected into the path of Marlon Broomes who's half volley beat Chris Kirkland to make it 1-1.

In the final minute Coyne's long kick down field was headed down by Hyppia into the path of Phil Jevons who from 40 yards out touched the ball before hitting a shot from 35 yards into the top corner to give Grimsby a 2–1 win.

Details

9 October 2001 (2001-10-09)

Liverpool	1–2	Grimsby Town
McAllister (pen)  101'	Report	Broomes  113' Jevons  120'

Anfield, Liverpool

Attendance: 32,672

Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme (Preston, Lancashire)

GK 22 Chris Kirkland RB 27 Gregory Vignal  21' CB 4 Sami Hyppia (c) CB 29 Stephen Wright LB 22 Jamie Carragher RM 7 Vladimir Smicer CM 13 Danny Murphy CM 16 Dietmar Hamann  64' CM 21 Gary McAllister LM 20 Nick Barmby CF 37 Jari Litmanen  77' Substitutes: GK 12 Jerzy Dudek DF 31 Frode Kippe  21' MF 15 Patrik Berger MF 11 Jamie Redknapp  77' FW 8 Emile Heskey  64' Manager: Gerard Houllier

GK 1 Danny Coyne RB 34 David Beharall CB 22 Ben Chapman  103' CB 12 Danny Butterfield CB 4 Marlon Broomes LB 3 Tony Gallimore CM 11 Paul Groves (c) CM 7 Alan Pouton CM 10 Stuart Campbell CF 21 Phil Jevons CF 20 Jonathan Rowan  81' Substitutes: GK 26 Ronald Ermes DF 25 Simon Ford MF 16 Stacy Coldicott FW 19 Bradley Allen  103' FW 35 Michael Boulding  81' Manager: Lennie Lawrence

Aftermath

Grimsby manager Lennie Lawrence described the game as the best cup result of his career, he stated "This is a result that will live in the memory of everyone in Grimsby for ever. It was a magnificent night and a wonderful fightback. It was arguably the best result in the club's history. I had a lot of young players out there, some playing in unfamiliar positions, but they gave everything and it was a wonderful fightback, I'm so proud of them."

Gerard Houllier, the manager of Liverpool said "I congratulate Grimsby and wish them good luck in the rest of the competition," he said. But I can't be upset with my team. Their effort was right. The ball just didn't run. Their 'keeper Danny Coyne was outstanding, easily the man of the match with a string of great saves. In fact my players were heroes, they have come back from international duty and played two hours out there and given everything. But it just wasn't our day."

Phil Jevons who scored the winner in front of his parents who were in the home end said "I'm a Liverpool fan, all my family is, but they did change sides a bit when I was at Everton. They've been smothering me in kisses in the players' lounge, they are just delighted, particularly for me to score at Anfield. I'm so pleased for my mum and dad, they've been everywhere with me. It's been an unbelievable night. It was probably the best goal of my life. As the ball dropped I decided not to challenge Sami Hyypia, he's so good in the air. As it dropped to me I knew I had nothing to lose, and there was only seconds left. I just hit it and it dipped over the 'keeper."

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland who was making his debut for Liverpool said "That night at Anfield I was playing behind Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia and their experience at the top level helped me through the match. Everyone here is so experienced that it doesn't matter who is in defence, they're all that good. It was a good night for me, playing for the club I grew up supporting, despite the disappointment of the result. I can only hope I have many more nights like that in my Liverpool career."

Grimsby would go on to lose their next three games and would be beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the fourth round, after a poor run of form manager Lennie Lawrence was sacked two months later and was replaced by club captain Paul Groves who would steer them clear of relegation and to a 19th-place finish with 50 points.

Gerard Houllier became ill during their next game with Leeds United having suffered a cardiac arrest at half time. He was released from hospital on 1 November 2001 after successful heart surgery. Following on from the Grimsby defeat his side went undefeated in their next eight fixtures and did not taste defeat again until 20 November when they were beat at home by FC Barcelona, Houllier would lead The Reds to finish 2nd in the Premier League on 80 points.

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