The match was a Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, played at Wembley Stadium, London, on 20 May 1989.

Liverpool won 3–2 after extra time, with a goal from John Aldridge and two from Ian Rush.

The final was played only five weeks after the Hillsborough disaster, in which 95 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush (the death toll rose to 96 in 1993 and 97 in 2021), and before kick-off there was a minute's silence and the teams wore black armbands as a sign of respect.

McCall had scored just once for Everton before the FA Cup final, having joined them from Bradford City at the start of the season.

UEFA voted for the ban on English clubs in European competitions to continue for a fifth season, ruling out Liverpool's hopes of competing in the Cup Winners' Cup, although they were still in contention for the league title at this stage, and ultimately were only deprived of the title (and a unique second double) by a last-gasp goal in their final game of the season.