The 1992–93 season was a difficult one for Liverpool, their first in the newly formed Premier League. Under manager Graeme Souness, the team was inconsistent, finishing 6th, well adrift of champions Manchester United. While Ian Rush and Ronny Rosenthal provided experience up front, it was the rise of young striker Robbie Fowler, alongside talents like Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp, that gave fans hope for the future. Liverpool exited both the FA Cup and League Cup in the early rounds, failing to mount a serious challenge for silverware. The season was transitional, laying the groundwork for a new era at Anfield.

The 1985–86 season was one of Liverpool’s finest, as they completed a historic league and FA Cup double under player-manager Kenny Dalglish. In the First Division, Liverpool overcame Everton in a tight title race, clinching the championship on the final day with a 1–0 win at Chelsea — Dalglish himself scoring the decisive goal. In the FA Cup, they beat Everton again, 3–1 in the Wembley final, with goals from Ian Rush (2) and Craig Johnston. Rush finished as top scorer with 47 goals in all competitions. Though banned from Europe, Liverpool’s domestic dominance defined this memorable campaign.

The 1996–97 season was encouraging but ultimately frustrating for Liverpool under Roy Evans. The team, dubbed the “Spice Boys,” played exciting, attacking football and spent much of the campaign challenging for the Premier League title. Led by Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore, and Steve McManaman, Liverpool scored heavily, with Fowler netting 18 league goals. However, inconsistency and defensive lapses cost them, and they eventually finished 4th, seven points behind champions Manchester United. In the FA Cup, Liverpool were knocked out in the fourth round by Chelsea, and they fell early in the League Cup. It was a season of unfulfilled promise.

The 1987–88 period was a high point for the Soviet Union national team. Managed by Valeriy Lobanovskyi, the squad blended tactical discipline with flair, heavily influenced by Dynamo Kyiv players. At UEFA Euro 1988, the USSR impressed, topping their group after defeating the Netherlands 1–0, England 3–1, and drawing with Ireland. In the semi-final, they beat Italy 2–0, with goals from Oleksiy Mykhaylychenko and Oleg Protasov. In the final, they met the Netherlands again but lost 2–0, highlighted by Marco van Basten’s iconic volley. With stars like Rinat Dasayev, Vasyl Rats, and Igor Belanov, this squad is remembered as one of the USSR’s finest.

In the 1997–98 season, Orlando Pirates remained one of South Africa’s strongest sides in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). They finished 2nd in the league, just behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, keeping the title race alive until the end. The squad featured key figures like Williams Okpara, Helman Mkhalele, and Jerry Sikhosana, who were central to the team’s attacking play. In cup competitions, Pirates fell short, with early exits in both the Coca-Cola Cup and Bob Save Super Bowl. Although no silverware was secured, the season reaffirmed Pirates as consistent contenders during a competitive era in South African football.

The 1990 Yugoslavia national team is remembered as one of the country’s most talented sides, blending stars from across the federation. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, they reached the quarter-finals, their best result since 1962. Led by Dragan Stojković, who scored twice against Spain in the Round of 16, Yugoslavia showcased flair and technical brilliance. The quarter-final against Argentina ended 0–0, but Yugoslavia were eliminated on penalties despite a strong performance. With players like Robert Prosinečki, Dejan Savićević, and Safet Sušić, this was seen as a golden generation, whose promise was cut short by the breakup of the country.

The 2013–14 season was thrilling yet heartbreaking for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. Playing attacking, high-tempo football, they pushed Manchester City to the wire, ultimately finishing 2nd in the Premier League, just two points behind the champions. The strike duo of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge scored freely, with Suárez netting 31 goals to win the Golden Boot. Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, and Philippe Coutinho added creativity and drive. However, defensive frailties and the infamous slip against Chelsea cost them the title. Liverpool exited the FA Cup and League Cup early, but the season rekindled hope of a long-awaited league triumph.