A history of LFC's League Cup finals: 1978 and 1981

Liverpool 0-0 Nottingham Forest – March 18, 1978 – Wembley

Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest (replay) – March 22, 1978 – Old Trafford

The Reds’ first appearance in a League Cup final ended with a 1-0 defeat against Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in controversial fashion at Old Trafford after a replay.

Following a goalless stalemate in their initial meeting, the return fixture was well-poised – and only a questionable penalty call separated the two sides.

Referee Pat Partridge judged Phil Thompson to have brought down John O’Hare in the penalty area, despite the foul clearly taking place outside the 18-yard box.

Liverpool protested to no avail and John Robertson tucked away the spot-kick to give Forest an important advantage in the 53rd minute.

Bob Paisley’s men thought they were level four minutes later when Terry McDermott netted; however, Partridge questionably ruled the midfielder had controlled the ball with his hand.

Thompson said after the match: “It was a professional foul. I knew O’Hare was outside the area when I kicked him. It sounds bad, but there it is.”

And McDermott fumed about his goal being chalked off. “It was a diabolical decision,” he remarked. “I leaned down to take the ball on my chest.”

Partridge himself maintained he made the right calls.

He said: “As far as I’m concerned, there was no doubt about the penalty. If the cameras show that [the tackle was outside the area] then they’re entitled to their view but they weren’t in line with the incident.

“My linesman and I were convinced McDermott brought the ball under control with his arm.”

Liverpool 1-1 West Ham United – March 14, 1981 – Wembley

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United (replay) – April 1, 1981 – Villa Park

Liverpool’s first success in this competition came in the 1980-81 season at the second time of asking.

Bob Paisley’s side must have thought they had the cup won when Alan Kennedy scored in the 118th minute at Wembley against West Ham United on March 14, 1981.

However, the Hammers equalised right at the end of extra-time through Ray Stewart’s penalty after Terry McDermott handled.

Instead of the usual penalty shootout that would occur nowadays, a replay was forced at Villa Park on April 1.

And the second game started badly as Paul Goddard put West Ham in front early on.

But the Reds turned it around by scoring twice in the space of three minutes, Kenny Dalglish levelling things up with a brilliant volley before Alan Hansen headed in from a corner to secure the cup.

Captain Phil Thompson hoisted the trophy aloft and, in the years after, admitted to losing it on the journey back to Merseyside.

He recalled: “On our way back from Villa Park the cup was being handed around the coach and all talk was about where we would celebrate. Suffice to say a good night was had by all!

“The next morning I received a call from Peter Robinson, our chief executive, who asked where the trophy was. I told him it was on the bus.

“‘Yes, I know,’ he replied. ‘I’ve just had a call from the depot in St Helens - the driver found it on the back seat when he was cleaning up!’”