LFC First Venture into Europe

KR Reykjavik v Liverpool, 17 August 1964

They are used to eruptions on this volcanic island perched on the top of the world. But the 12,000 fans who jammed the tiny stadium here tonight did not expect anything quite as shattering as their European Cup defeat by the English champions Liverpool. They expected to lose this first leg preliminary round match. They were sure Liverpool would be too strong for them.

But they never expected to be destroyed without apparent effort, to be dismissed with the casual air of someone swatting a fly. It was so one-sided that I can remember only two occasions in the whole game when Liverpool goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence had to touch the ball.

Liverpool scored with their first shot from inside left Gordon Wallace, 20, who slid the ball home from Roger Hunt's cross. After Liverpool had squandered countless chances to go further ahead in the first half, Hunt finally put them two-up 30 seconds after the interval. The clinched the game with two more goals in seven minutes through Phil Chisnall (56 minutes) and Wallace (63 minutes). Hunt got the fifth in the 89th minute.

I felt almost sorry for the Icelanders, who sportingly lined up to cheer their conquerors from the pitch at the end - there certainly seems very little point in holding the second leg at Anfield next month.

Liverpool: Goals
Gordon Wallace 3
Roger Hunt 46
Phil Chisnall 57
Gordon Wallace 60
Roger Hunt 88

Gordon Wallace scores Liverpool's first goal in Europe

Liverpool: Starting lineup
Goalkeeper - Tommy Lawrence
Defender/Centre back - Ron Yeats
Defender/Left back - Ronnie Moran
Left back - Gerry Byrne
Midfielder - Ian Callaghan
Midfielder - Peter Thompson
Midfielder - Gordon Wallace
Wing half - Gordon Milne
Wing half - Willie Stevenson
Forward - Roger Hunt
Inside Forward - Phil Chisnall

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