 Liverpool had finished the 1983 – 84 Football League as champions. They had also won the 1983 – 84 Football League Cup beating Everton 1 – 0 in a replay after the final finished 0 – 0. Their success meant that Liverpool entered the match with the chance to win an unprecedented treble. Roma had finished second during the 1983 – 84 Serie A and won the 1983 – 84 Coppa Italia, they had qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup as a result, but victory would enable them to compete in the European Cup the following season.
