1988 FA Cup Final featured the first penalty save in an FA Cup final, by Dave Beasant from John Aldridge, while Beasant also became the first goalkeeper to captain an FA Cup-winning side. It was the last FA Cup final to be broadcast by both the BBC and ITV, which had happened since 1958. Wimbledon's victory ended Liverpool's bid to become the first team to win the Double twice, a feat that was eventually achieved by rivals Manchester United in 1996 and Arsenal in 1998. Liverpool were the winners of Division One and were the giants of England in the 1980s. Wimbledon finished seventh
2001 UEFA Cup Final their first season in European courtesy of a 9–2 aggregate victory. Liverpool went into the match having already won two trophies during the 2000–01 season. Their first trophy was the Football League Cup which they had won in February defeating Birmingham City 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out after the match had finished 1–1. The second trophy was the FA Cup, which they won 2–1. They entered the match with the opportunity to win an unprecedented Treble. Liverpool were appearing in their third UEFA Cup final, both their previous appearances in the final in 1973 and 1976 had resulted in victory.