In 1933 SK Rapid and Liverpool locked horns for the first and only time. Four days prior to the match Rapid had played out a 3 -3 draw with then Scottish champions, giants Rangers FC in front of 67,000 fans in Ibrox. The British press waxed lyrical, The Sunday Graphic citing the match as "The most beautiful game seen in Scotland for years". The Sunday Mail told that "The Viennese had performed classic English football to the highest degree".

The game with Liverpool was subject to the result of the Anfield clubs FA cup match a week beforehand. A two nil defeat to Midlanders West Brom set the date in the diary.

After 10 minutes Johann Leuf gave Rapid the lead in front of 28,000 fans packed into the Anfield Road stand. The same player scored the Green - Whites second, ensuring Rapid went into the interval on level terms at 2-2. Despite Rapid´s strong second half showing the prolific front pairing of Binder and Bican failed to add to the tally. Liverpool would go on to celebrate a 5 - 2 victory. It was a scoreline that somewhat flattered the home side, the English press stating that Rapid had made an "excellent impression".

Three days later the Hütteldorfers signed of with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City to end their tour in style.

The level of hospitality laid on in the British isles was not lost on the Rapid contingent, the Viennese being received by the lord Mayor in each of the three host cities. At the post match dinner´s a silver Goblet was exchanged as a mark of the new found friendships.

(gw)