April 28, 1990 and John Barnes rolls home the winning penalty past QPR's David Seaman at Anfield to seal Liverpool's record 18th league championship.
Margaret Thatcher is in Downing Street, Buster Douglas rules the boxing world and Liverpool's domination of English football feels like it could continue for ever. Little did anyone realise that their 11th title in 18 seasons would also be their last for so long.
As Ray Houghton of the Class of '90 puts it: 'If you'd told me Liverpool wouldn't be champions for 29 years, I would've called for the men in white coats. Liverpool fans used to give United supporters stick about not winning the league since 1967. Never once did they think they'd have to wait even longer.'
Ray Houghton (front, second left) is hoping this can be the year the title returns to Anfield
Houghton was an important cog in the last Liverpool championship team with legends Alan Hansen, John Barnes and Ian Rush, managed by Kenny Dalglish.
He did not realise the 1989-90 season would become so significant, particularly as it had started against the traumatic backdrop of the Hillsborough tragedy the previous April.
'I'd gone to funerals with John Aldridge, who was a local lad, and he was utterly inconsolable. It was still raw when we returned to pre-season training, we still spoke about what had happened,' says Houghton. 'All we could do as professionals was go out and try to do well for the fans.'
Houghton is looking ahead, and admits his 1990 league medal is in the loft at home
Liverpool were unbeaten in their opening eight games, including a 9-0 thrashing against Crystal Palace. Following a mid-season wobble, they lost only one league game after November and won the title with two games to spare.
'The Liverpool way was simple. The management gave players ownership to go out and perform,' says Houghton.
'If we had any problems, the dressing room sorted it out themselves. If you made a mistake, you'd know about it. Those players would have excelled today. How much would Alan Hansen be worth? £75million, probably more. He read the game and was strong.
'Everyone thought he was this nice guy but he'd boot his granny in training if he had to.
'We had strong characters. Big Al, Rushy and Barnesy ran the dressing room because of what they'd achieved in the game. Ronnie Whelan was our enforcer, different class. Stevie Nicol was brilliant, could play any position. Glenn Hysen was the new signing from Fiorentina. He cut up everyone's underpants after his first training session. He fitted in straightaway!'
Above all, they had Barnes, that season's Footballer of the Year.
'Every year,' says Houghton. 'The best I played with — pace, strength, assists, goals. Our job was to give the ball to Barnesy. We nearly won the Double three seasons in a row, largely down to him. Today, he'd be England's Messi and Ronaldo.'
Added to the skill, Liverpool could also scrap. Houghton played against QPR despite a pelvic injury and stitches in a head wound after being butted in an aerial challenge. 'I dashed to the medical room to get them put in. I was back on the pitch within five minutes.'
Winning was such a habit, there was not even a special celebration after collecting the trophy after the next home game, against Derby.
'We all went out but not together as a group. The Southport boys went out
