As the old saying goes, 'lightning never strikes the same place twice' - except, it seems, at Anfield.

In April 1996, Liverpool and Newcastle United played out what is widely accepted to be the best ever game in Premier League history.

It was an encounter that swung one way and then the other, with the final say going to Stan Collymore, who scored in the last minute to secure a 4-3 win for the home team.

Eleven months later and on this day 18 years ago, the two sides met again on Merseyside, both with outside chances of catching Manchester United in the title race.

During the previous meeting, it had been an even contest as the lead changed hands, but this time around only one winner seemed likely as the Reds ran riot in the first half.

It was in the 29th minute that the deadlock was broken when a dummy from Robbie Fowler fell for Steve McManaman inside the Newcastle area. He took one touch, before curling his right-footed shot beyond the reach of Shaka Hislop.

Then, just 60 seconds later, McManaman turned creator as he played in Fowler. The striker's shot cannoned off the base of the upright, but Czech midfielder Patrik Berger was on hand to slot in the rebound.

Before the half was out, there was also time for Fowler to get his name on the scoresheet as he raced clear to meet Jamie Redknapp's pass. As Hislop approached, the number nine calmly converted his chance from the edge of the box.

Such was the dissatisfaction felt by the travelling supporters, shortly after the third Liverpool goal had been scored, one of them evaded security to throw his shirt at manager Kenny Dalglish.

Initially, it was an incident that did little to inspire the losing team, but as the second half wore on, what seemed like mission impossible became more and more feasible.

In the 71st minute winger Keith Gillespie tried his luck from 20 yards out and although Liverpool goalkeeper David James got a firm hand on the ball, he was unable to prevent it from sneaking inside the post.

James was at fault again three minutes from time when he came needlessly racing off his line in a bid to meet David Ginola's lofted pass forward. He was beaten to the ball by Faustino Asprilla, with the Colombian squeezing his effort just underneath the crossbar to reduce the arrears to one goal.

Asprilla was then heavily involved in the equalising goal in the 88th minute as he wrestled for possession. The loose ball broke kindly for Warren Barton, who was able to bundle his effort in from close range, sparking scenes of wild celebration among players and fans alike.

However, those jubilant scenes in the away section were to be short lived. In stoppage time, Stig Inge Bjornebye's teasing cross from the left was met by Fowler and the striker was able to guide his header into the net to secure a second 4-3 home victory for Liverpool over Newcastle in successive matches.

LIVERPOOL: James; Bjornebye, Wright, Kvarme, Matteo; McAteer, Redknapp, Berger, McManaman, Barnes, Fowler

NEWCASTLE: Hislop; Barton, Albert, Peacock, Elliott; Watson, Batty, Clark (Ginola), Gillespie; Beardsley (Ferdinand) (Crawford), Asprilla