Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal (FA Cup Final)
Date Played: May 2001
Arsenal had complete control of the opening stages of this FA Cup encounter between the two heavy weights of British football. Freddie Ljungberg released Thierry Henry and he sprinted past the Liverpool goal keeper Westerveld and he was blocked by Henchoz near the goal line, however despite the penalty claims, nothing was given. The speed of the match increased as the game entered the second half. Danny Murphy crossed a precise free kick in and Emile Heskey came agonizingly near to heading the ball into the net as Seamen saved well. Henry came close ten minutes into the second half as Ashley Cole had an easy chance missed as Sammy Hyypia cleared the ball off the line. Ljunberg lobbed the ball right over Westerveld mid way through the second half and once again Sammy Hyypia cleared the ball off the line once again. With twenty minutes left on the clock, Liverpool goal keeper, Westerveld had a dreadful moment with an awful defensive clearance, and as Pires played Freddie Ljungberg in, he sprinted past the Dutch goalkeeper and scored easily. Arsenal more than deserved the advantage and they nearly doubled the lead if it was not for a fantastic point blank save from a fierce Henry shot. Houllier made two key substitutions, bringing on Fowler and Berger on the pitch. With eight minutes remaining Owen leveled for Liverpool and the match was now to be won. Several moments later the fantastic comeback by Liverpool was complete as Michael Owen once again scored, sprinting past Tony Adams and comfortably smashing the ball past Seamen into the net. This encounter ended 2-1 to Liverpool and they were the champions of the 2001 FA Cup final.

Liverpool 1-1 Birmingham City
League Cup Final 2001
A second division side reached the final once again the following year, as Liverpool met Birmingham. The match was tied at 1-1 after extra time and the game was forced to penalties. Andy Johnston of Birmingham missed his crucial penalty and Liverpool were the league cup winners of 2001. Steve Bruce had performed heroics in Birmingham as he guided the club to premiership football at the end of the 2001 – 2002 campaign.