In September 1989, Crystal Palace made the arduous journey to Anfield, where Liverpool was still reeling from that Michael Thomas incident from the year before and in no mood to be merciful to a newly promoted team. On grass, what appeared to be a difficult test for Palace turned out to be even worse. Their supporters and players were promised a day they would never forget.

At the very least, Steve Coppell’s team travelled north on the strength of a victory. After only one point from their first three league games, Palace defeated Wimbledon 2-0 just days before their trip to Liverpool in the first of many south London derbies that season; 1989-90 remains the only season in which all four local sides – Palace, Wimbledon, Charlton, and Millwall – played in the top flight.

No Sterner Test In The First Division

After scoring 24 goals in Palace’s promotion season, Ian Wright was attracting the attention of other clubs. Wright was even linked with a £2 million move to Liverpool in the build-up to this game. His chances of impressing at Anfield, however, appeared slim, with Coppell emphasizing the magnitude of the defensive task ahead.

There is no sterner test the First Division can throw at you, It’s the ultimate: the extreme.

Coppell also admitted that his players were nervous about visiting Anfield. Their worst nightmare came true. Liverpool began delivering “a crash course on life in the big time” from the first minute. Steve Nicol opened the scoring in the eighth minute, and after Geoff Thomas hit the post with a free-kick for Palace, Steve McMahon doubled Liverpool’s lead, chipping Perry Suckling on a tense night for the Palace goalkeeper. Anfield was buzzing.

Liverpool Score Nine

On the stroke of half-time, Ian Rush extended Liverpool’s lead, and after goals from Gary Gillespie and Peter Beardsley, there was even room for some sentimentality from manager Kenny Dalglish when Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute. John Aldridge was introduced from the bench for his final appearance for the club before moving to Real Sociedad, and the home fans were overjoyed when John Barnes stepped down from penalty duty to allow Aldridge to go out in style. He put Liverpool six goals to nil up with his first touch.

When Glenn Hysen upended Alan Pardew, Palace were awarded a penalty, but even that went wrong. To the delight of the home crowd, Thomas blazed the spot-kick high into the night sky. A stunning free-kick from Barnes and a first Liverpool goal from Hysen increased the lead to 8-0 before Nicol completed the drubbing by scoring the final goal in the 88th minute. No one who turned up at Anfield that night would belive they would see Liverpool score nine.

Aldridge Signs Off With A Goal

As many reached for their record books, Aldridge made his way to the Kop, tossing his shirt and boots into the crowd to bid them farewell. If Aldridge was sad after leaving the field, it was nothing compared to what was going on in the Palace changing room.

Our players came in at the end as if they had just gone 15 rounds with Mike Tyson – Steve Coppell

Liverpool’s biggest win in the First Division was also Palace’s biggest league defeat. And for the first time in English league history, eight different players scored. Even as the Palace players tried to put on a brave face, the old “cloud nine” headlines were wheeled out the next morning. Naturally, the Palace goalkeeper, Perry Suckling, was singled out following the 9-0 defeat.

More Bad Results For Palace

It didn’t help that Suckling’s next game was at The Dell. A ground where he had let in eight goals for Coventry in 1984. As speculation about his future grew, Palace were thrashed twice in four days. First, 5-0 by Nottingham Forest in the League Cup and then 3-0 by Manchester City in the league. As a result, Suckling’s time as the club’s No 1 came to an end in early November.

Brian Parkin took his place as Palace hosted Luton, claiming that their former No. 1 was injured. Many people were obviously sceptical. When England B international Nigel Martyn arrived from third-tier Bristol Rovers, becoming the club’s first £1m signing, there was no turning back for Suckling. Andy Thorn, who joined the club in November, helped to steady the ship alongside Martyn. Palace went on to finish the season in 15th place, avoiding relegation alongside fellow south London clubs Millwall and Charlton.