CLASSIC MATCHES - EPISODE 75: Liverpool 0-0 Portsmouth (1991/92) - FOOTBALL LEGENDS

FOOTBALL LEGENDS - CLASSIC MATCHES - EPISODE 75:
1991/92
Liverpool v Portsmouth
FA Cup Semi Final Replay
13/04/92
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The 1992 FA Cup semi final replay at Villa Park between Liverpool and Portsmouth played out very much the same way as the first match they'd played at Highbury 8 days earlier. Possession and territorial advantage was dominated by Liverpool, with Portsmouth pinning their hopes on what limited counter attacks they could muster.
Lacking a cutting edge on the night in their finishing, Liverpool found it hard to crack the Portsmouth defence, despite creating a hat-full of chances, and being denied 3 very strong penalty appeals.
Portsmouth in contrast were left pining their one major chance to snatch victory with a shot which rattled back off the crossbar, although slow motion replays later revealed justice was done as the ball had actually gone out over the goal-line during the build up, so a goal-kick should have been awarded.
With no goals during normal time or extra time, the semi final was decided on penalties, and it was Portsmouth's nerve which cracked. 3 of their 4 penalties stayed out, with two misses from Martin Kuhl and John Beresford, and Bruce Grobbellar saving from Warren Neill.
The only player to actually convert for Pompey was Kit Symons.
Liverpool thusly only required three penalty takers to win it, with John Barnes, Ian Rush and Dean Saunders all converting from the spot, with penalty experts Mark Walters and Jan Molby not even required to step up.
The Liverpool side on the night was managed by Ronnie Moran who was standing in for Graeme Souness who was recovering from a heart operation in hospital. Their full line-up featured Bruce Grobbelaar, Rob Jones, David Burrows, Steve Nicol, Ronnie Whelan, Mark Wright, Dean Saunders, Jan Molby, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Michael Thomas, and substitutes Barry Venison and Mark Walters.
The Portsmouth side, managed by Jim Smith, included Alan Knight, Andy Awford, John Beresford, Alan McLoughlin, Ray Daniel, Warren Neill, Kit Symons, Chris Burns, Martin Kuhl, Colin Clarke, Darren Anderton, and substitutes Warren Aspinall and Guy Whittingham.
Liverpool went on to face Sunderland in the final at Wembley, whom they beat more comfortably by 2 goals to nil, after again dominating the territorial advantage and the possession.