<P> Whereas the early to mid-1970s had seen three successive European Cup victories each for Ajax and Bayern Munich, the competition was dominated by English clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s . Between 1977 and 1982, English teams won a record six successive finals . The sequence began when Liverpool, managed by Bob Paisley, beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3--1 in the 1977 European Cup Final, in what was striker Kevin Keegan's last game for the club . Keegan's replacement Kenny Dalglish scored the only goal of the 1978 final against Club Brugge as Liverpool became the first English club to retain the trophy . Meanwhile, Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest had succeeded Liverpool as English champions, and the two teams faced each other in the first round of the 1978--79 European Cup in the first meeting of two English clubs in the competition . Nottingham Forest won the tie on the way to reaching the final, where they beat Malmö 1--0 . Forest was the third club to win the tournament at their first attempt, after Real Madrid in 1955--56 and Internazionale in 1963--64 . </P> <P> Liverpool was again eliminated in the first round in 1979--80, while Forest retained the trophy, beating Hamburg 1--0 in the final . The following season it was Nottingham Forest's turn to make a first round exit as Liverpool went all the way to the final, where they beat Real Madrid 1--0 to secure their third European Cup under Bob Paisley . Liverpool's Terry McDermott and Graeme Souness were the tournament's joint top scorers, alongside Bayern Munich's Karl - Heinz Rummenigge, with six goals apiece . Liverpool failed to retain the trophy on this occasion as they were beaten in the quarter - finals by CSKA Sofia in the 1981--82 competition . A sixth successive English victory was still achieved however, as Aston Villa, playing in the European Cup for the first time, beat Bayern Munich 1--0 in the final in Rotterdam . The run of victories by English clubs came to an end in 1982--83 when both Liverpool and Aston Villa went out at the quarter - final stage after losing to Widzew Łódź and Juventus respectively . In the 1983--84 competition, Liverpool once again reached the final, where they faced Roma in the latter's home stadium, the Stadio Olimpico . The match finished 1--1 after extra time and Liverpool won the subsequent penalty shootout (4--2) to lift their fourth European Cup . It was the first time that the final had been settled by spot kicks . </P> <P> Liverpool's participation in the 1984--85 European Cup marked their ninth successive season in the competition . They again made it to the final, but lost out 1--0 to Juventus after Michel Platini scored a second - half penalty . 1985 was the year of the Heysel Stadium disaster, which led to all English clubs being banned from the European Cup . </P> <P> In the 1991--92 season, Arsenal were the first team to represent England in the European Cup after English teams were allowed back in . Arsenal lost out over two legs in the second round to Benfica . </P>

Premier league teams who have won champions league