Walk into any pub in Liverpool and you’ll see the number six everywhere. It’s on the hats, the scarves, and spray-painted on the walls near Anfield. If you’re asking how many times has liverpool won the champions league, the short answer is six. But honestly, just saying "six" feels like you’re missing the point of why this club is so obsessed with Europe.
They haven’t just won it; they’ve basically made it their entire identity. From the days of Bob Paisley to the heavy metal football of Jürgen Klopp, the European Cup (which became the Champions League in 1992) is the yardstick for success on Merseyside. For context, only Real Madrid and AC Milan have more. That’s elite company.
The Golden Era: Four Cups in Eight Years
Before the glitz of the modern era, Liverpool was a terrifying machine in the late 70s and early 80s. People talk about "European nights" now, but back then, it was just what they did.
The first one happened in 1977. Rome. They beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1. It wasn't just a win; it was the moment English football realized it could actually own the continent. They didn't wait long to do it again. In 1978, Kenny Dalglish—the man they call "King Kenny"—scored a delicate dink over the keeper at Wembley to beat Club Brugge 1-0.
Back-to-back.
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Then came 1981 in Paris. Alan Kennedy, a left-back of all people, smashed one in against Real Madrid. It’s kinda wild to think about now, but Real Madrid actually lost a final to Liverpool. That doesn't happen often.
The fourth came in 1984, back in Rome. This one was tense. It went to penalties against Roma—on their own turf. This was the famous "spaghetti legs" game where Bruce Grobbelaar wobbled his knees to distract the Roma shooters. It worked. Joe Fagan became the first English manager to win a treble of major trophies in a single season.
The Miracle of Istanbul (2005)
If you weren’t alive for this or didn't see it, you've probably heard your dad or your older brother talk about it. 2005 is why the keyword how many times has liverpool won the champions league is searched so often—it’s the most famous final in history.
Half-time: 3-0 to AC Milan.
Milan had Kaka, Pirlo, Maldini, and Shevchenko. Liverpool had... well, they had Steven Gerrard and a lot of heart.
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Most fans had turned the TV off. Honestly, who could blame them? But in six minutes of madness in the second half, Liverpool scored three times. Gerrard, Smicer, Alonso. It went to penalties. Jerzy Dudek did his best Grobbelaar impression, and suddenly, Liverpool had five. Because it was their fifth, they got to keep the actual trophy forever.
Number Six: Redemption in Madrid
After 2005, things got a bit quiet for a while. There was a lost final in 2007 and a heartbreaking one in 2018 where Mo Salah got injured and Gareth Bale scored a bicycle kick that still defies physics.
But 2019 was different.
Under Jürgen Klopp, the team felt inevitable. They had just pulled off a ridiculous 4-0 comeback against Barcelona in the semi-final (without Salah or Firmino). The final in Madrid against Tottenham was, let’s be real, a bit of a boring game. Salah scored a penalty early, and Divock Origi—a man who only scores legendary goals—sealed it late.
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2019 marked the sixth time Liverpool won the Champions League.
The Complete List of Wins
- 1977: 3-1 vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (Rome)
- 1978: 1-0 vs Club Brugge (London)
- 1981: 1-0 vs Real Madrid (Paris)
- 1984: 1-1 (4-2 pens) vs Roma (Rome)
- 2005: 3-3 (3-2 pens) vs AC Milan (Istanbul)
- 2019: 2-0 vs Tottenham Hotspur (Madrid)
Why Liverpool Keeps Coming Back
So, how many times has liverpool won the champions league is six, but they’ve also lost four finals (1985, 2007, 2018, 2022). That’s ten finals in total.
Why does this matter? Because in Liverpool, the league title is great, but Europe is the obsession. The atmosphere at Anfield on a Tuesday or Wednesday night is different. It’s louder. It’s heavier. It’s why teams like Barcelona and Manchester City have struggled there even when they had "better" players on paper.
Right now, under new management with Arne Slot taking over the 2024-25 season, the goal remains the same. The club isn't interested in just participating. They want number seven.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history or planning a visit to the trophy room, here is what you should do:
- Visit the Anfield Museum: They have a dedicated "European Boulevard." You can see the permanent 2005 trophy there.
- Watch the '81 Final: If you think modern football is the only "good" football, go back and watch how Bob Paisley’s team kept the ball. It was decades ahead of its time.
- Check the 2025-26 Schedule: Liverpool is back in the mix this season. The revamped Champions League format means more games against big giants earlier in the year.
The tally stands at six. For now. But if you know anything about this club, you know they aren't done yet.