30 May 1984

Alan Kennedy was once again Liverpool's unlikely hero as Joe Fagan's men defied the odds to claim a fourth European Cup crown and see off AS Roma in their own backyard.

The Reds full-back held his nerve to fire home the crucial match-winning kick in the shoot-out and ensure that just like in Paris three years earlier, his name would be the toast of Merseyside.

It seems that the Eternal City is something of a lucky venue for Liverpool, following the famous triumph over Borussia Moenchengladbach back in 1977, and the Travelling Kop were once again in high spirits as they descended upon Italy's capital.

This time it was an even more daunting proposition given that the Italians had the advantage of playing in front of a partisan home crowd in their very own Stadio Olimpico.

The reception reserved for the Reds players prior to kick-off was one that could well have affected those of a weaker constitution, but if ever a side could handle such a difficult environment, it was Liverpool.

They made a solid start and with just 15 minutes on the clock they silenced the home support courtesy of Phil Neal's second European Cup final goal.

The full-back had netted a vital spot-kick to clinch a 3-1 win over Moenchengladbach seven years earlier and he was at it again against Roma, steering in a loose ball after Franco Tancredi had failed to collect Craig Johnston's cross.

It was the perfect boost for the Reds who fought hard to maintain their lead into the interval; but it was not to be as the Italians dragged themselves level on 43 minutes.

Bruno Conti crossed from the left at the second attempt and found Roberto Pruzzo who guided his header beyond Bruce Grobbelaar to bring Roma level and the Stadium to life.

It left Liverpool facing an uphill task and they had to stand firm after the break as the Italians poured forward with renewed vigour.

Both Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen were immense at the heart of the defence and it looked like their efforts would be rewarded four minutes from time when Kenny Dalglish sent Steve Nicol marauding into the penalty area.

However, the young Scot saw his shot saved by the legs of Tancredi and with it went the chance to win the cup within the 90 minutes.

Extra-time was a dull affair with both sides reluctant to over-commit and as the clock ticked down penalties loomed ever closer on the horizon.

Liverpool were first up with Nicol the man tasked with getting them off to a flying start. But the youngster had not read the script and could only hold his head in his hands after hammering his kick high and wide of Tancredi's goal.

It gave Roma a psychological advantage, which captain Agostino Bartolomei confirmed by stepping up and comfortably beating Grobbelaar to put them 1-0 up.

It piled the pressure back on Liverpool and they needed a strong character to keep his nerve, so who better than Mr Reliable himself?

Phil Neal was the Reds' spot-kick King and he made no mistake by getting the Reds back on track with a cool finish.

Italian international Conti then completely lost his composure to fire his effort well over the crossbar before man-of-the-match Graeme Souness capped his final game for Liverpool by putting the Reds 2-1 ahead.

The next two penalties were duly converted with Ubaldo Righetti and Ian Rush both on target.

The shoot-out was finely poised and with so much at stake, Grobbelaar took it upon himself to perform the now famous 'spaghetti legs.'

Francesco Graziani seemed bemused by the Reds stopper's antics but it clearly had the desired effect as he slammed his effort against the crossbar.

Match point Liverpool, but who was going to step up and crown us Kings of Europe?

Alan Kennedy was the man in possession of the ball and with an assurance you would not expect of someone who had the destiny of the European Cup firmly weighing on his shoulders he calmly side-foot the ball into the left-hand corner of the net.

As he wheeled away in delight he set off on a run of celebration that culminated in the now famous 'jump' of joy.

Here he recalls the moment he fired Liverpool to their fourth European Cup title.

"My maths isn't great at the best of times and so I just about worked out that it was me walking up to win it," he said.

"Thankfully the keeper went the wrong way and I just felt a sense of great elation. It was a wonderful moment for us.

"People talk about another winning goal for me but it was Brucie who won it. He came up with those wobbly legs and that's great credit to him for trying something a bit different."