Liverpool lost 1-0 to Trabzonspor in troubled 1976 away leg

Liverpool travelled to Trabzon in October 1976 for the first leg of their European Cup second-round tie and lost 1-0 to Turkish champions Trabzonspor, leaving Bob Paisley's side needing a comeback at Anfield.

The trip was beset by problems from the start. UEFA rejected Liverpool's request to move the match from the Black Sea port to a larger Turkish city, and the squad's hotel was changed on arrival to one that fell well short of acceptable standards.

"The hotel was awful," goalkeeper Ray Clemence recalled. "We were woken by the noise of farm animals at 5am, and the food was terrible."

Paisley was equally unsparing about the match conditions. "We were playing with a pig's bladder that was only fit for blow football," the manager said of the ball provided for the game.

Despite Liverpool controlling much of the play, Trabzonspor goalkeeper Senol Gunes kept out efforts from Steve Heighway and John Toshack in the first half. The only goal arrived just after the hour mark under deeply controversial circumstances.

Necmi Perekli went down in the area under challenge from Emlyn Hughes, and the referee awarded a penalty. Captain Hughes was furious: "We were coasting along when the referee gave a penalty that was the most ridiculous decision I have ever seen. I had cleared the ball before the player fell over me."

Cemil Usta converted the spot kick, sending Clemence the wrong way. Paisley introduced David Johnson and David Fairclough from the bench late on, but Liverpool could not find an equaliser.

Liverpool had entered the second round after eliminating Crusaders of Northern Ireland 7-0 on aggregate in the opening round. The 1-0 deficit meant a home victory at Anfield was required to progress in their fourth bid to claim the European Cup for the first time.