Decade In Review: The Top 15 Liverpool Matches of the Noughties

Just seven days remain of this decade, and it has been another historic one for Liverpool. It feels just like yesterday that we were heralding the new millenium. This was to be the decade that Gerard Houllier led Liverpool to the Premier League title, and made them challenge on all fronts.

He came close, guiding the club to second place and six trophies before he left in May 2004. Rafael Benitez took over the Frenchman's mantle and has since made the club a force to be reckoned with once again.

These two Liverpool managers of the noughties have treated us to some legends of the club (the likes of Fowler, Gerrard, Owen, and Carragher), some unforgettable moments, and some thrilling matches.

In this slideshow, I will be looking at the latter, and counting down the top 15 Liverpool matches of the decade. For Liverpool fans, the nostalgia it should provide will act as a late Christmas present, and even the neutrals or anti-Liverpool brigade will enjoy looking back at some of the greatest matches of recent times.

Enjoy!

15. Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool (26/10/2008)

This is arguably where Liverpool's title credentials of last season were finally taken seriously.

Since Benitez's appointment in 2004, a fierce rivalry had developed between Liverpool and Chelsea. Their frequent meetings in cup competitions, particularly the latter stages of the Champions League, in addition to the usual league bouts had made this fixture one of the most intriguing in the country.

Historically, Chelsea had fared better in the league against Liverpool and this, coupled with their record-breaking 86-match unbeaten run at home, made them favorites.

A deflected strike from Xabi Alonso shattered any such thoughts, however, as well as ending the Blues' proud undefeated streak.

Before the match, many Chelsea fans were quoted as saying "anyone but Liverpool". Unfortunately for them, it was the Reds who came out on top, giving Liverpool fans all over the world one of the most satisfying victories in recent memory.

14. Liverpool 1-2 AC Milan (23/05/2007)

The effect Rafael Benitez had on Liverpool was felt no more emphatically than in Europe. He had led the club to one Champions League final in his debut year (more on that later), and followed that up two seasons later with yet another final, and against the same opponents.

Anytime a club gets to a Champions League final, it is a major achievement, and that is the main reason this match gets onto the list. It wasn't a bad match by any means, at least not for a fan of either club, but at the same time it wasn't a repeat of their previous bout.

A freak goal from Filippo Inzaghi gave Milan the opener before the same player doubled their lead with eight minutes left. A late goal from Dirk Kuyt allowed Liverpool fans to dream of another dramatic comeback, but none was forthcoming, and they had to suffer the indignity of collecting the runners up medals.

What the match showed, however, was that 2005 was no fluke, and that Liverpool were once more one of Europe's elite.

13. Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas (06/11/2007)

Everything just seemed to go right for Liverpool in this Champions League fixture. Admittedly, Besiktas weren't the strongest of sides, but the fact that they had beaten Liverpool 2-1 in the reverse fixture suggested they were no pushovers either.

The Reds, as ever, needed a win to have any hope of progressing from the group stages, and you won't find many more emphatic wins than this.

Yossi Benayoun was the stand-out performer, bagging himself a hat-trick, while the impressive Crouch got himself a brace. Babel (2) and Gerrard got the other goals as Liverpool served up the biggest win in Champions League history.

They went on to qualify for the knock-out stages before losing to Chelsea in the semi-final.

12. Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United (04/11/2001)

Jooohhhnnnnn Arne Riise (Hoo Haa) I wanna knooooowwww how you scored that goal!!

This chant echoed round Anfield every time a game was played there until Riise left the club, and it was all down to his free-kick in this match. His unstoppable strike was past Fabien Barthez before the Frenchman knew it had been hit, and it almost lifted the goal out of the ground. It certainly lifted the roof off it!

But it wasn't just Riise who starred in this 3-1 win. Back when he was wearing the proper shade of red, Michael Owen was one of the most feared strikers in Europe, and he showed why with a superb brace in this match.

David Beckham got one back for United to make it 2-1 and give his side some hope, but those hopes were dashed just two minutes later when Owen got his second to make it four wins in a row for Liverpool against United.

And I still want to know how Riise scored that goal.

11. Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (10/03/2009)

Liverpool came into this Champions League tie with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg at the Bernabeu, and many fans were praying for a 0-0 draw. Madrid may not have been the powerhouse they were at the start of the decade, or indeed have become since, but they were still a top side with many dangerous players.

But only one player really mattered on that day: Fernando Torres. For so long he was the talisman of Real's fierce rivals Atletico Madrid, and his performance on this night suggested he was on a personal mission to inflict as much pain on Real as possible.

He inflicted pain on himself too, having to have an injection to get through the game, but he will tell you it was worth every second as he scored the opener, before a Gerrard brace and an Andrea Dossena strike finished the Spanish side off.

The match turned out to be another high-scoring affair in a period of scintillating football by Liverpool, but this was most certainly one of the main highlights, as beating Real Madrid 4-0 would be for any team.

10. Everton 2-3 Liverpool (16/04/2001)

Beating your nearest neighbors is always satisfying. Doing it in the style in which Liverpool did back in 2001 makes it even more so, and doing it in their own backyard is the icing on the cake.

This derby had everything. Five goals, a missed penalty, rejected penalty shouts, 12 yellow cards, and a sending off. I'm sure I'm forgetting something...?

Oh yes, it also featured a 93rd minute 45-yard free-kick from Gary McAllister that gave Liverpool a late, late victory.

It capped off a wonderful match in which Emile Heskey had given Liverpool the lead. Duncan Ferguson responded by equalizing before Markus Babbel restored the away side's advantage. Robbie Fowler then missed a penalty, Igor Biscan was sent off and David Unsworth scored from the penalty spot at the other end to tie the game 2-2.

And just as it looked like Everton had grabbed a point, McAllister fooled everyone by curling in a 45-yard free-kick to give Liverpool the win.

A fantastic ending (for half of Merseyside, at least) to one of the best derbies ever.

9. Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal (08/04/08)

Anfield has been witness to countless great European nights, and this Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal is right up there with the best of them.

It was the final installment in a Liverpool vs Arsenal trilogy, as the two sides had already faced off in the first leg and in the league in the previous week, with both games ending 1-1.

Those games paled into comparison to this one, however, as both sides found their shooting boots in dramatic fashion.

Arsenal started well with Abou Diaby giving them an early lead, but Hyypia equalised on the half hour mark. Torres then put Liverpool ahead with a stunning strike that not only gave them the lead on the night, but on aggregate too.

The game wasn't over there though, not by a long shot. The last six minutes were action-packed, with Emmaunel Adebayor leveling the sides after a majestic 70-yard run by Theo Walcott.

Arsenal fans must have thought they were through with so little time left, but while they were still celebrating Liverpool were awarded a penalty which Gerrard duly dispatched.

Ryan Babel finished the scoring in stoppage time, setting millions of Liverpool hearts at ease in the process, as well as breaking many Arsenal ones.

8. Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (14/04/2009)

This match was another ludicrously entertaining European tie for Liverpool, and the fact it came in a fixture famed for it's tight, tactical nature made it even more enjoyable.

It was clear this match wasn't going to be a "get ahead and then defend" job, however, as Liverpool needed to win by at least two goals following Chelsea's 3-1 win at Anfield in the first leg.

There was fierce debate leading up the match whether Liverpool could breach the Chelsea defense once, yet alone two or three times, but as it was they were 2-0 after half an hour.

Liverpool could smell blood, but Chelsea responded in style in the second half, scoring twice in five minutes through Didier Drogba and Alex to level the sides.

All of Liverpool's hard work in the first half had been undone, but they weren't about to give up. Four goals in the final 15 minutes made for a fantastic finale.

First, Frank Lampard seemingly killed off Liverpool's hopes of a semi-final tie against Barcelona, making it 3-2 on the night to Chelsea and 6-3 on aggregate. Once again, though, Liverpool showed that you should never count them out.

Lucas Leiva and Dirk Kuyt scored within two minutes of each other to make the score 4-3 to Liverpool on the night and 6-5 on aggregate, meaning just one more goal would put Liverpool through in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Unfortunately, they weren't quite up to the task of getting that final goal. Instead it was Lampard who got it, putting Chelsea though 7-5 on aggregate and putting an end to the scoring in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

7. Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal (12/05/2001)

However much the competition is devalued by clubs fielding weaker sides, the FA Cup will always be the world's premier domestic club competition, and the 2001 final was one of the most dramatic in history.

Liverpool met Arsenal at the Millenium Stadium having already won the Worthington (League) Cup there earlier that season.

Things weren't looking good for them in this match, however, as Arsenal dominated large parts. They couldn't get a breakthrough, though, as a towering performance from Sami Hyypia in particular frustrated the Gunners' frontline.

It all came alive in the final 20 minutes, however. Arsenal took a deserved lead through Freddie Ljungberg following a Sander Westerveld mistake before the boy wonder Michael Owen made the headlines again.

Two goals in the final eight minutes, the second in particular showcasing his deadly mix of pace and clinical finishing, broke Arsenal hearts and gave Liverpool the second trophy in their historic treble season.

6. Liverpool 3-1 Olympiakos (08/12/2004)

"OHHH YOU BEAUTY! WHAT A HIT SON, WHAT A HIT!"

It's hard to believe this match happened over five years ago. I'm sure every Liverpool fan will agree with me when I say I remember it like it was yesterday.

This was the match that set Liverpool on their way to perhaps the greatest moment in their illustrious history, and once again they had their inspirational captain Steven Gerrard to thank.

Liverpool needed to win by two goals to ensure they made it through the group stages, but things looked bleak when Rivaldo put the Greek side in the lead.

Liverpool, with a side featuring the likes of Kirkland, Traore (who was brought off for Florent Sinama-Pongolle at half-time), Antonio Nunez, Harry Kewell, Milan Baros, and later Neil Mellor needed three goal to progress at half-time.

It looked unlikely, but what Anfield was about to witness would rival any previous European match as the most memorable one the legendary stadium has held.

Sinama-Pongolle gave Liverpool a good start early in the half by levelling the scores but the following wait was agonising. Finally, Neil Mellor scored with less than ten minutes remaining to give Liverpool the lead on the night.

It was only a slither of hope for Liverpool, but that was all they needed as Mellor nodded the ball down for Gerrard who smashed it in on the half volley to give Liverpool what would later become a historic and momentous victory.

That wasn't to be the last time Liverpool scored three in a second half that season, however...

5. Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal (21/05/2009)

In recent years, Liverpool have played a part in some ludicrously entertaining games, as seen so far in this countdown, but few can rival the entertainment provided by this instant classic back in May.

For me, this match is a bittersweet memory. Despite it being one of the best games I have ever seen, it was also the one in which I thought Liverpool had finally lost the title. And all because of Andrey Arshavin...

The little Russian put the away side ahead just after the half-hour mark following an error from Javier Mascherano, but Torres equalised shortly after half-time with a textbook header.

Liverpool then took the lead through Yossi Benayoun before it was the Gunners' turn to equalize, Arshavin getting a second, this time capitalizing on a mistake by Alvaro Arbeloa.

This strike kick-started a manic final 25 minutes as goals started flying in from all angles.

Another mistake, this time from Fabio Aurelio, gifted Arshavin his hat-trick just three minutes after his second, but two minutes after that goal Torres was celebrating a strike of his own to level the sides at 3-3.

Liverpool pushed hard for the goal that would give them a vital three points, but in doing so they left themselves exposed at the back, and Arshavin finished off a typical counter-attack in stoppage time to grab his and Arsenal's fourth goal of the match.

Arsenal must have thought they had won the match, and Liverpool could have been forgiven for thinking it was over too, but there was one more twist in this extraordinary tale as Benayoun managed to squeeze in an equalizer almost immediately after they had fallen behind.

It was an unforgettable match, and a perfect example of the attack outclassing the defense, or simply what happens when the defense repeatedly makes mistakes against world-class opposition!

4. Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (14/03/2009)

The fourth and final match from 2009 makes it in to fourth place, and it is a truly special one.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool is probably the biggest football match in England. Local derbies are important to both sides, but most fans will tell you that a win over either United or Liverpool, depending which side you are on, is the highlight of their season.

You can understand, then, that to win so emphatically in front of your greatest rival's own fans is one of the best feelings a football fan can experience. This match had added significance too as, for the first time in years, Liverpool posed a very real threat to United's Premier League title.

The match came during a period where Liverpool looked almost unstoppable, but even the most ardent fan must have been fearing another Old Trafford loss when Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot after 23 minutes.

They needn't have worried.

Liverpool were level again within five minutes when the usually unflappable Nemanja Vidic let the ball bounce, allowing Torres to show his blistering pace and deadly finishing.

The visitors were ahead before half-time too as Patrice Evra brought down Gerrard inside the box. The Liverpool skipper took it, and scored it, himself, sending the traveling fans into a frenzy.

Vidic's miserable afternoon continued in the second half when he dragged Gerrard down with the Liverpool man in on goal. His efforts earned him a red card, and from the resulting free-kick Fabio Aurelio extended Liverpool's lead in spectacular fashion.

But it wasn't over there. Just to prove that everything was going right for Liverpool, Andrea Dossena capped off the scoring with an inch perfect lob.

United went on to win the league, but you can be sure they are still smarting from this humiliation.

3. Liverpool 3-3 West Ham (13/05/2006)

I've lost count of how many times I've said "Steven Gerrard has saved Liverpool", but the 2006 FA Cup final is perhaps the best example of this.

Liverpool were expected to win the match with ease as they were still the Champions of Europe while West Ham had only recently got promoted to the Premier League.

But the match didn't exactly go to plan for Liverpool, and within half an hour they were 2-0 down, courtesy of a Jamie Carragher own goal and a Dean Ashton strike.

Peter Crouch then had a goal ruled out for offside before the Reds finally got one back through Djibril Cisse's fine volley.

Before the hour mark passed, Liverpool were level and, surprise surprise, it was Gerrard who was responsible. Alonso's free-kick was won in the air by Crouch, whose nod down found the skipper who lashed his shot beyond Shaka Hislop.

If West Ham began to think it may not be their day after all, their minds were soon changed as Paul Konchesky's high ball in from the left drifted over an off-guard Pepe Reina and into the net.

Liverpool tried desperately to get an equalizer, but they couldn't break down the stubborn West Ham defence. We should have known what was going to happen, though, as Liverpool have done it so many times before.

As the clock ticked over the 90 minute mark, Liverpool had a chance with a corner but it was cleared to apparent safety by the West Ham defence.

However, this "safety zone" contained one Steven Gerrard who, despite suffering from cramp in both legs, struck the ball first time from almost 40-yards out right into the bottom corner.

He later said that had he not been suffering from that cramp, he would have controlled it and tried to set up another attack. For once, then, we can be thankful for cramp!

Extra-time was eventful in it's own right with Riise and Harewood coming close, but the match was destined for penalties.

After a relatively poor performance in the actual match, this was where Reina redeemed himself, as he saved spot-kicks from Bobby Zamora, Konchesky, and Anton Ferdinand to help Liverpool to another FA Cup, winning 3-1 on penalties.

It was arguably the most exciting FA Cup final of all-time, and will forever be remembered as "the Gerrard final".

2. Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (25/05/2005)

Do I even need to write a comment on this match?

Perhaps I should explain why the greatest moment in Liverpool history, and the greatest final in Champions League history is only second on my list.

Well, until 20 seconds ago, it was first, but I had a quick re-assessment of my selection criteria, and my number one is a match I regard as quite possibly the greatest of all time.

I asked myself whether I was judging the matches on importance or entertainment value, and I concluded that it was closer to the latter. You may have noticed I'm also trying to convince myself that second place is the right position for this!

Quite simply, Istanbul will never be forgotten by any Liverpool fan. Fans of other teams can appreciate how special it was, but if you don't support Liverpool, you won't fully understand how great a moment it was, much like I'm sure I don't fully understand how great a moment the 1999 Champions League final was.

Liverpool were massive underdogs going into the final, as they had been going into the semi-final and the quarter-final too.

Their squad contained some very forgettable players, while AC Milan's could have been a dream team. Future legends such as Kaka, Gattuso, and Shevchenko joined up with established legends such as Maldini, Inzaghi, and Cafu.

The odds were stacked against Liverpool, and these seemed to grow minute by minute as the first-half unfolded. Maldini scored after less than a minute before a Hernan Crespo brace put Milan seemingly out of sight by half-time.

Logic suggests the message should have been to keep the score down, but I honestly felt at half-time that we would win the match and, judging by the now legendary chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone", so did the thousands of Kopites who had made the journey to Turkey.

Still, nothing could have prepared the fans for what was to follow.

Dietmar Hamann was brought on and made a massive difference, containing Kaka to great effect. This freed Gerrard to weave his magic in attack.

The skipper got one back for Liverpool after 53 minutes, then one minute later Vladimir Smicer's shot found a way past Dida to make it 3-2.

Gerrard was then pulled down in the box by Gattuso, leaving Xabi Alonso to complete the greatest comeback in the history of the Champions League. In a six minute spell, Liverpool had overturned a three goal deficit playing against one of the best defenses ever assembled.

The players often mocked at Liverpool then became the heroes. Djimi Traore cleared a Shevchenko header off the line and Jerzy Dudek denied the same player with an impossible double save from point blank range.

Shevchenko was thwarted by Dudek once more, this time in the shoot-out with the decisive penalty, to give Liverpool their fifth Champions League.

As a Liverpool moment, it is untouchable. As a match, however, I believe there is one better...

1. Liverpool 5-4 Alaves (16/05/2001)

Why does this match rank higher than any other Liverpool match of the decade? Quite simply, because it had absolutely everything.

Everything you could possibly want that might make a match exciting, entertaining, and enthralling, the 2001 UEFA Cup final had. I believe it must be considered as one of the greatest games of all time.

Liverpool were chasing a historic treble, while Alaves were relatively unknown outside of Spain, and even there they weren't a household name.

You already have, then, the big boys vs the underdogs scenario which often makes matches so intriguing.

An early goal from Markus Babbel got the match off to a quick start before Steven Gerrard doubled Liverpool's lead within 20 minutes. It looked as if the pre-match predictions were going to be spot on.

Alaves needed to change something; and they did. A sub was made in the 23rd minute, and the man brought on, Ivan Alonso, found himself on the score sheet less than five minutes later.

Then, as Owen was breaking away again, he was brought down by the Alaves 'keeper, winning a penalty for Liverpool which Gary McAllister duly dispatched to make it 3-1 at half-time.

The second-half began just as quickly as the first, with Javi Moreno getting a goal in the 48th minute and quickly following that up with another in the 51st. Suddenly it was 3-3, and Alaves began to believe they could win the match.

This belief took a blow after 73 minutes when Robbie Fowler restored Liverpool's lead, but it was Alaves who were to have the last laugh in normal time, with former Manchester United man Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan, equalising in the last minute.

Extra-time continued in the same exciting way, with two disallowed goals and a red card in the first 15 minutes. Antonio Karmona, the Alaves captain, was also given a red card for a second bookable offence, and from the resulting free-kick Delfi Geli headed in to his own net, ending one of the greatest matches of all-time with an own goal golden goal.

It's hard to think what more one match could have. Nine goals, two red cards, a penalty, two comebacks, a golden goal, an own goal, and a last minute equalizer in a major cup final that completed a unique treble for Liverpool is the stuff of dreams.

Such a storyline would have been turned down by Roy of the Rovers for being too far-fetched!

It was always going to have to be a truly memorable match to top Istanbul, and the 2001 UEFA Cup final was most certainly that!

What do you think was the match of the decade?

So there you have it. The top 15 Liverpool matches of the decade in my opinion.

Feel free to share your views on the list and any matches I may have missed, any decisions you don't agree with, and especially the placings of numbers one and two!

It has been another historic decade for Liverpool, and let's hope for another one, albeit with a bit more silverware, from 2010 onwards!

Thanks for reading, and happy new year!