Jan Molby And The "Lost Goal"

In today’s game, there isn’t a goal scored anywhere in the world from a major league that can’t be watched on TV and reviewed. TV companies and networks have cameras at every game to record the highlights that social media then grasp and distribute. However back in 1985, Jan Molby scored a goal against Manchester United that was never seen by anyone who wasn’t at Anfield that fateful night. No TV cameras were there to record it. Without a visual recollection, it became known as Jan Molby and the “Lost Goal”

The reason for the mystery surrounding it was that the first half of the 1985-86 season was not televised due to a TV rights dispute. So when Liverpool hosted Manchester United in a League Cup fourth-round clash in November 1985 only those in attendance could relive the match over and over again.

Anfield’s Greatest Ever Goal?

And so it was with Molby’s goal. Fans at the match had something truly special to boast about. Those who were not there wanted to say that they were. They knew they’d missed out. Many made out they were there who weren’t. As for Molby’s goal – some described it as the greatest goal ever scored at Anfield.

Of course, the goal became more exaggerated in delivery as the stories became more elaborate. Some had Molby sprinting past 4-5 players before unleashing a 45-yard effort into the roof of the net. Other had the Danish maestro dribbling around players a la Messi and producing a shot from 30 yards that the keeper didn’t even see.

Of course with no TV coverage who could doubt these claims?

Unseen Footage

There were 41,291 fans at Anfield that night who witnessed the goal first hand. Who saw what Molby did….who watched the ball hit the back of the net.

So how did it eventually come to be seen?

Unbeknown to everyone United manager at the time Ron Atkinson had the match filmed from the Main Stand gantry. Apparently to help with post-match analysis. Atkinson graciously handed over a copy of the grainy tape to Molby to keep to remember the goal. It stayed with Molby for many years.

Shown To The Masses

The “Great Dane” had chosen not to share it with the football world. In doing so he had understandably allowed the legend to grow. In fact Molby had done more than most to feed it with numerous anecdotes about it. Whenever asked he would add to the legend of the goal whether in the TV studio or on the after-dinner speaking circuit.

Eventually, in 2009 he allowed LFCTV to show the footage. However only after he’d first arranged for a special screening of it. At a packed marketing suite at Anfield with all the proceeds going to a local charity. The legend of Jan Molby and the “Lost Goal” was over. Now the world was able to see for itself the true story of the legend.

As for the goal itself it never really lived up to the legend. It’s a good goal but it’s nowhere near the best scored at Anfield. Molby does dribble with the ball but it’s hardly Messi-esque. And it is a long-range strike but nowhere near the 45 yards professed by some supporters.

Molby The Matchwinner

But that’s not to take away from the importance of the goal itself. United went into the game on form and top of the First Division. And for large periods were a cut above Liverpool who struggled to make any impact. Losing 1-0 at half-time it appeared as though United would come out in the second half and put the game to bed. And in doing so send the home fans home disappointed.

However, Liverpool came out a different team in the second half. Attacking the famous Kop End they steamrollered United. As a result Molby’s goal in the 57th minute was just reward for their domination. A minute later he scored a second. This time from the penalty spot.

Liverpool rebuffed everything United could throw at them and went on to secure a 2-1 victory.