Iconic moments | Liverpool at home | January 1999

United 2 - 1 Liverpool

A throwback to January 1999 and a memorable FA Cup 4th Round match against Liverpool.

Author | Liam C

In the hunt for that historic Treble, Ferguson’s United came from behind to snatch a memorable win on the way to glory. Even though this was a cup tie, Liverpool were always going to test us, and it was billed as a clash of strike forces: Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke against Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. 

By then, our front two had already scored 31 goals between them, just one more than the Liverpool pair, but the danger from Anfield was obvious from the second minute at Old Trafford when Owen’s header put them ahead and sent 8,000 travelling fans into raptures.

For the majority of the game it felt like Liverpool were in the spotlight, celebrating while United piled on the pressure, creating chance after chance but coming up short against a defence that looked impenetrable. True to Ferguson’s style, though, a bold gamble paid off. 

Roy Keane came close to a hat-trick, twice hitting the post and seeing another shot deflect just wide of David James’s goal, but it was United’s top scorer who finally levelled things with only two minutes remaining. As Liverpool protested a free-kick against Jamie Redknapp, David Beckham delivered a perfect ball to Cole, whose crucial flick-on was buried by Yorke at the back post.

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And while the pre-match focus had been all on the four main strikers, it was another forward, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had the final word. In just ten minutes on the pitch, the Norwegian had barely touched the ball, yet that fleeting moment was enough to change the course of the entire season.

Fans reminisce about a memorable afternoon.

Sophie T was in the Stretford End. She said: “Between the two goals lay the essence of United’s season; a sense of momentum. They captured the energy, the wave of emotion and relief that came with the equaliser, and rode it all the way to victory over their fiercest rivals.”

Pete Shaw told us: “It was absolute bedlam in the stands as everyone bounced and bellowed in pure joy, while Liverpool’s players collapsed to the turf, spent. What a day. Only the 4-3 win against them in March 2024 could top this match.”

Ken added: “The start of the journey to the Treble. Fans and players gained so much belief from this win.”