Anfield has not been a happy hunting ground for the Blues in recent years – although we won 4-1 impressively in the 2020/21 season - unfortunately no fans were allowed in the stadium due to the global pandemic.
It was back in May 2003 that supporters last saw us win at Liverpool’s home, on a memorable day for striker Nicolas Anelka.
The Reds were chasing a Champions League place but City travelled with three former Liverpool strikers in our ranks and claimed a big three points.
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Keegan masterminded the victory, Robbie Fowler started for City but it was Anelka who had the biggest impact.
Anelka was schooled at Clairefontaine, France’s elite national football training centre and academy, with the help of Gerard Houllier who was in Liverpool’s dugout that day.
After exploding onto the scene with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal as a teenager, the exciting career of the ‘enfant terrible’ stalled at Real Madrid.
He then returned to PSG before going on loan to Liverpool in the 2001/02 season, ironically to fill the gap left by the departure of Fowler.
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Houllier opted not to make a permanent move but Keegan leapt at the opportunity to make such a marquee signing and he proved to be the superstar we expected.
After a strong season with City, Anelka returned to Anfield with a point to prove but after a goalless first-half, we fell behind to a strike from Milan Baros.
But we were level with quarter of an hour to go when the City striker was brought down in the box by Djimi Traore.
The Kop were desperate for Jerzy Dudek to deny Anelka but he kept his trademark cool to convert confidently from spot.
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More was to come in the dying seconds with a sumptuous second to secure a memorable win.
Ali Bernarbia and Shaun Wright-Phillips cut through the centre of the pitch to tee up Anelka for a wonderful left-foot finish.
It’s been too long since City fans have been able to celebrate like that in the corner of Liverpool, so let’s hope we put it right for a visit on Sunday at 16:30 (UK).
