No mention of the Liverpool – Arsenal rivalry could begin without the tumultuous 1988-89 season. Arsenal had last won the league in 1970-71, while Liverpool was looking for its seventh title in 10 years. In the final match of the season, Arsenal had to travel to Anfield and had to win. If this wasn’t hard enough, it had to win by at least two goals. A win would see Arsenal and Liverpool level on goal difference but Arsenal would take first place by virtue of having scored more goals.

Liverpool hadn’t lost at Anfield by two goals in two years and Arsenal hadn’t won at Anfield since 1974. This was the history which Arsenal was up against. The match was also being played in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster. Arsenal players come on to the field bearing flowers and a donation for the fund.

After a tense first half it was 0-0 meaning Arsenal would have to score at least twice in the final 45 minutes of the season.

The first one came shortly after halftime via an Alan Smith header. The Liverpool players surrounded the referee and demanded that he reverse his decision but it stood. Now just needing another goal, the Liverpool – Arsenal rivalry was turned up several more notches. With the game winding down, it looked as if Liverpool would hold on, but Arsenal went for one last raid forward and Michael Thomas scored to see Arsenal up the two goals it needed. With just seconds remaining in the game, Liverpool tried to score but couldn’t. This was the closest ever finish in the history of the league. It had been decided by literally the final kick of the season.

If it wasn’t there already, the Arsenal-Liverpool rivalry was now full blown. Two years later, Liverpool again finished runners-up to Arsenal in the League, but this time it wasn’t as close. Liverpool had been rocked by the mid-season resignation of manager Kenny Dalglish. He left in February and Graeme Souness took over the reins for him. Arsenal finished with a seven point lead over Liverpool.

Liverpool wouldn’t finish this high on the ladder for another 10 years and again they were runners-up to Arsenal. By this stage, Arsenal was enjoying the better of the Arsenal-Liverpool rivalry. Again Arsenal finished with a seven point lead over Liverpool.

Once in the Liverpool – Arsenal rivalry, Liverpool won the league with Arsenal as runners-up. It was 1972-73 and Liverpool finished on 60 points, three ahead of Arsenal.

A number of chapters to the Arsenal-Liverpool rivalry have been added courtesy of the two sides meeting in the FA Cup. The two met in the 1950 FA Cup Final. In Liverpool’s side were Phil Taylor, Laurie Hughes and Willie Fagan. Arsenal had Denis Compton, Leslie Compton and Joe Mercer. Reg Lewis scored a goal in each half to give Arsenal a 2-0 win.

21 one years later, the two met in the 1971 FA Cup Final in a game which added quite a bit to the folklore of the Liverpool – Arsenal rivalry. Liverpool were a strong side and had Tommy Smith, Emlyn Hughes, John Toshack and Larry Lloyd. Arsenal had Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham and Charlie George. After a scoreless 90 minutes, the game went into extra time. Steve Heighway scored just into extra time only for George Graham to equalize nine minute later. Nine minutes from the end, Charlie George scored the winner.

30 years later, the two would once again meet in an FA Cup final and this time Liverpool would have the last laugh in a match that always comes to mind when one thinks of the Arsenal-Liverpool rivalry.Arsenal were a strong side. It was led by Tony Adams and had great players such as Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Lee Dixon. Liverpool were captained by Sami Hyypia and had the like of Steven Gerrard, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen. Fredrik Ljungberg scored in the 72nd minute. Michael Owen equalized in the 83rd minute and just as it looked like it was heading for extra time, he scored again. It came in the 88th minute to snatch victory. For once, Anfield got to celebrate the upper hand of the Liverpool – Arsenal rivalry.

They just haven’t met in FA Cup final. In 1980, the two met in the FA Cup semi final. The first match was a 0-0 at Hillsborough. During this time, replays were played out until there was a winner. Then there were not one but two 1-1 ties at Villa Park, both of which were played with extra time. There was then a third replay at Highfield Road which Arsenal won. Liverpool rejoiced though, when Arsenal lost the final to West Ham.

The Arsenal-Liverpool rivalry was taken to a new level when the two met in Europe. It was the 2008 Champions League quarter-final with a place in the final four on the line. The first leg was in London. Arsenal hit the lead via Emmanuel Adebayor but Liverpool equalized three minutes later thanks to Dirk Kuyt. The match was all level at halftime and stayed 1-1 after 90 minutes. Liverpool would have been thrilled to be heading to Anfield with an away goal. This was cancelled out though when Abou Diaby scored in the 13th minute; Sami Hyypia equalized and at halftime it was all level. Fernando Torres scored in the 69th minute and Adebayor equalized in the 84th minute to make it 2-2 on the night, but Arsenal would go through on away goals. A penalty to Steven Gerrard, followed by an injury goal to Ryan Babel sealed the win for Liverpool.

Liverpool fans would have been celebrating this win, but there would still be some upset about the loss in 1989. That is the thing about the Liverpool – Arsenal rivalry. It is timeless.