Bill Shankly’s side were making their first foray into European football that season and so far, everything had gone pretty well.
Commanding wins against KR Reykjavik and Anderlecht, by aggregate scores of 11-1 and 4-0 respectively, had set up a meeting with the German champions, Cologne.
The first leg on February 10 ended in a goalless stalemate at Mungersdorfer Stadion, a result most observers deemed satisfactory for Liverpool ahead of a return clash at Anfield.
It would be five weeks before they could meet again, however, as the second match – slated for March 3 – was postponed shortly before kick-off due to snowy conditions on Merseyside.