Liverpool, under Dalglish, were defending champions in the spring of 1989 and their match with Arsenal, scheduled for 22 April, was postponed until the end of the season following the Hillsborough Stadium tragedy.
Arsenal had seen a 19-point lead over Liverpool eroded until, on the last day of the campaign, they had to win by two clear goals at Anfield to take the title for the first time in 18 years.
This was the Liverpool of Rush, Barnes, Hansen and Grobbelaar - the only foreigner on the field - and they had not lost at home by a two-goal margin for three years. Arsenal hadn't won at Anfield for 15 years. "I shocked everyone by travelling up on the morning of the match," said Graham.
"I'd read in a book that when visiting a hostile environment you should go in and out quickly. So I thought that's what we'd do. It worked. I told the lads everyone expected us to go hell-for-leather from the kick-off. But I said I'd be delighted if the match was goalless at half-time.
"I wanted to be solid and cautious so I played three centre-backs. Before they went onto the pitch I told them we'd win 3-0. It was a bit of a joke but in the end I was only one goal out."
Having headed Arsenal in front, Alan Smith then set up the injury-time goal for Thomas - bringing the 1988-89 season to the most dramatic conclusion in the history of the game, the moment brilliantly captured by commentator Brian Moore who used the memorable line: 'It's up for grabs now'.
At that time Graham's Arsenal reached new heights of discipline and work-rate, while Liverpool were among the best passing teams in Europe. Wenger's Arsenal now enjoy acclaim for the quality of their passing, while Liverpool's detractors moan about the tactics employed by Benitez.
The fact is, of course, that the Spaniard has taken Liverpool to two Champions League Finals in three years.
His priority tonight will be to limit the influence of Cesc Fabregas, hugely talented but now struggling to cope with the demands of a long season. Benitez will ensure Javier Mascherano is never far from the Spaniard. The enthusiasm of Fabregas epitomises the spirit in Wenger's team but the protracted fight to stay in the title race has taken a toll.
The 1-1 draw at Emirates tipped the balance of the tie in Liverpool's favour. Wenger complained, with justification, that Arsenal should have had a penalty last week and he may well get his penalty - lots of them, in fact - if tonight's game follows the pattern of the three previous 1-1 draws between the sides this season.
