 Liverpool had finished fifth during the 1980 – 81 Football League , thus they needed to win the final to ensure that they would compete in the European Cup the following season . Despite this , Liverpool had won the Football League Cup for the first time earlier in the season , defeating West Ham United 2 – 1 in a replay after the final finished 1 – 1 . Real Madrid had finished second in the 1980 – 81 La Liga , they had qualified for the UEFA Cup as a result , but victory would enable them to compete in the European Cup the following season . 
 Liverpool <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> finished fifth during the 1980 – 81 Football League , thus they needed to win the final to ensure that they would compete in the European Cup the following season . Despite this , Liverpool <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> won the Football League Cup for the first time earlier in the season , defeating West Ham United 2 – 1 in a replay after the final<a href='been_done' title='3'><mark></mark></a> finished 1 – 1 . Real Madrid <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>had</mark></a> finished second in the 1980 – 81 La Liga , they <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>had</mark></a> qualified for the UEFA Cup as a result , but victory would enable them to compete in the European Cup the following season . 
Liverpool done finished fifth during the 1980 – 81 Football League , thus they needed to win the final to ensure that they would compete in the European Cup da following season . Despite dis , Liverpool done won tdaFootball League Cup fa thdairst time earlier in thedaason , defeating West Ham United 2 – 1 in a replay after the final done finished 1 – 1 . Real Madrid done finished second in the da0 – 81 La Liga , they done qualified ffirthe UEFA Cup as a result , but victory would enable them to compete in the European Cup the fdaowing season .