Euro foes of the past remembered

When we played them: European Cup preliminary round 1964

You never forget your first time and for this reason KR Reykjavik will always hold a special place in the hearts of Liverpudlians. It was against the Icelandic part-timers that the Reds played their first-ever game in European competition over 40 years ago but little has been heard of them since.

Iceland's oldest football club were easily beaten over two legs back by Shankly's boys back in 1964 and they're still struggling to make an impact in Europe, although domestically they remain the country's most successful side.

Their record attendance is the 10,000 that watched our opening Euro encounter and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this historic meeting Liverpool travelled to Reykjavik for a friendly in 1984, while another link with the Reds is that our former player Ian Ross once managed them between 1989 and 1991.

KR were last seen in these parts nine years ago when Everton defeated them comfortably in the Cup Winners Cup. They are currently languishing mid-table in the Icelandic Premier League and are not involved in European competition this season.

When we played them: UEFA Cup Final 1973, European Cup Final 1977, European Cup semi-final 1977/78

Nothing but fond memories spring to mind when the name Borussia Moenchengladbach is mentioned around the vicinity of Anfield. Our never-to-be-forgotten first UEFA and European Cup triumphs came at the expense of Gladbach and a bond between the fans was formed that is still going strong today.

A relatively small club compared to their more illustrious Bundesliga counterparts, they emerged from the shadows with devastating effect to take Europe by storm in the 1970s. Boasting the backbone of the formidable World Cup winning West German side Gladbach were a major force to be reckoned with during this time.

Their 'golden' decade though came to an abrupt end as the 1980s dawned. Their best players were sold and, a solitary German Cup win apart, mediocrity set in, culminating in relegation from the Bundesliga in 1999.

Top-flight status was won back two years later and, with a brand new 50,000-plus capacity stadium, things look to be on the up once again for every Liverpudlian's favourite German side.

When we played them: European Cup quarter-final 1976/77

A club that will forever be etched in the annals of Liverpool history thanks to THAT Davey Fairclough goal in the 1977 European Cup quarter-final. Les Verts were one of the top teams in Europe three decades ago, with their vivid green shirts and free-flowing flowing football capturing the hearts of most neutrals as they challegned for the games top honours.

However, this famous name has been conspicious by its absence from European club competition for over two decades now. A huge financial scandal that rocked the club in the early eighties was to prove the catalyst for a massive downturn in fortunes that ultimately lead to relegation.

Only in the last 12 months have smiles reappeared on the faces of St Etienne supporters. Last season saw them celebrate their return to the top tier of the French football and this summer they ended their long exile from continental competition by participating in the Intertoto Cup.

The Stade Geoffrey Guichard may not yet be rocking like it did during the halcyon days of the seventies but hopes are high that this famous club could be on its way back to the top.

When we played them: UEFA Cup quarter-final 1972/73, UEFA Cup quarter-final 1975/76, European Cup 2nd round 1977/78

A name that will always be inextricably linked with our glory-laden years of the mid-70s due to the fact that our paths crossed several times on route to UEFA and European Cup glory. Like the majority of East German clubs this so-called 'crack' outfit suffered as a consequence of the Berlin wall coming down and are no longer the power they once were. Reached the semi-final of the UEFA Cup in 1989 and the quarter-final of the Champions League in 1991 but have not figured in European competition since and are currently plying their trade in the Bundesliga 2.

When we played them: European Cup Winners Cup 1st round 1974/75

Fondly remembered by Liverpool fans for being the team we ran up our record victory against in 1974. Dropped out of the Norwegian top-flight two years after we met, they have not enjoyed much success since and are currently languishing in Norwegian football's second tier.

When we played them: European Cup 1st round 1980/81, European Cup 1st round 1981/82

Another side who suffered at the hands of a rampant Red machine. Oulu found themselves on the wrong end of an Anfield battering not once, but twice in successive seasons during the early 80s. The Finnish minnows have not appeared in European competition since and have since dropped out of their domestic top-flight.