March 22 in LFC history: Suarez and Stevie trebles, a legend's birthday
Take a look at the key events and highlights from this date in Liverpool FC's illustrious history as we delve into our archives…
Happy birthday…
Reds legend John Toshack celebrates his 67th birthday today. The powerful striker made a total of 247 appearances for the club, scoring 96 goals.
The Welshman won three league titles, an FA Cup and two UEFA Cups during his seven-year spell with Liverpool.
Stevie G’s Villa treble…
In 2009, Steven Gerrard fired a hat-trick against Aston Villa at Anfield to help Liverpool to an emphatic 5-0 victory.
The result maintained the Reds’ role in the title race, taking them to within a point of leaders Manchester United.
Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera put the home side into a two-goal lead prior to Gerrard coolly converting a penalty ahead of the break.
The No.8 grabbed his second shortly after the interval, before Villa lost former Reds ‘keeper Brad Friedel to a red card, allowing Gerrard to complete his hat-trick with another penalty.
On the march with Kenny’s army…
Liverpool were in scintillating form as they fired six past Oxford United at Anfield back in 1986 en route to winning the league title.
Ian Rush opened the scoring in the first minute before Mark Lawrenson and Ronnie Whelan gave the Reds a commanding three-goal half-time lead.
The goals continued to flow after the break with a Jan Molby penalty on 51 minutes, ahead of another Rush effort and a second from the Great Dane completing the rout.
Suarez scintillates once again…
Two years ago today, Luis Suarez helped himself to a hat-trick as Liverpool continued their title challenge with an entertaining 6-3 win at Cardiff City.
Jordon Mutch stunned the Reds by giving the hosts the lead, but Suarez was on target soon after to cancel it out.
Cardiff re-took the initiative thanks to Fraizer Campbell just prior to Martin Skrtel prodding in another equaliser.
The Slovakian put Liverpool ahead after half-time with his head and then Suarez and Daniel Sturridge extended the away side’s advantage.
Mutch reduced the deficit on 88 minutes, but Suarez completed his treble in stoppage-time.
James earns Reds a point…
Back in 1995, David James earned Liverpool a point in a hard-fought game against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
The goalkeeper thwarted a Jürgen Klinsmann penalty on 72 minutes to ensure the contest finished goalless.