History of Liverpool FC (Part 7) The Joe Fagan Era (1983–1985)

Honours Won : League Cup (1984), League Championship (1984), European Cup (1984)

Runner-up : Charity Shield (1983), Charity Shield (1984), Intercontinental Cup (1984), European Super Cup (1984), League Championship (1985), European Cup (1985)

Long-serving coach Joe Fagan (aged 62) was named as manager of Liverpool's first team on the retirement of Bob Paisley, and the 1983–84 season got off to a fine start for Liverpool. Despite some uncharacteristic results, such as a 4-0 defeat by Coventry City, Liverpool were top of the table by early November and remained there throughout the rest of the season. They collected their first silverware of the season on 28 March, beating neighbours Everton 1–0 in the League Cup Final replay three days after a goalless draw in the first match. The league title was sealed on 12 May with a goalless draw at relegation bound Notts County, and 18 days later became the first English club to win three major competitions in the same season. After a 1–1 draw in open play, Liverpool defeated Roma in the European Cup final. The Italians equalised after an early Liverpool goal by Phil Neal. The game went to penalties with victory for Liverpool secured after an extrovert performance by Bruce Grobbelaar. 

1983–84 had also seen young striker Ian Rush continue to establish himself as a world class goalscorer, with fellow rising stars like Ronnie Whelan and Steve Nicol continuing to put on impressive performances on a regular basis. The close season, however, saw the sale of key midfielder Graeme Souness who joined Sampdoria of Italy. Fagan signed John Wark from Ipswich Town to fill the gap in midfield.

Liverpool made a slow start to the 1984–85 season, but by Christmas had climbed up to fifth place. Liverpool eventually finished second behind Everton. Their FA Cup run was ended at the semi-final stage on 17 April when they lost 2–1 to Manchester United after a replay. On the continental scene, Liverpool had booked their place in the European Cup final for the fifth time in their history. They were drawn to play Juventus of Italy at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium on 29 May 1985. Liverpool lost the game 1-0, but the result was almost irrelevant following the off-field events which occurred before kick off.

Liverpool supporters broke down a dividing fence and charged the Juventus supporters resulting in the death of 39 people who were crushed to death when a wall collapsed. The sequel to the tragedy was an indefinite ban on all English clubs in European competitions, with a recommendation by UEFA that Liverpool should serve an extra three years once all other English clubs were readmitted.

Fagan announcd his retirement shortly before the Heysel Disaster and was replaced by Liverpool striker Kenny Dalglish, who was given the role of player-manager. Fagan died at the age of 80 in July 2001 after a long illness.

History of Liverpool FC (Part 6) The Bob Paisley Era (1974–1983)

Honours Won : League Championship (1976), UEFA Cup (1976), Charity Shield (1976), League Championship (1977), European Cup (1977), Charity Shield (1977), European Cup (1978), League Championship (1979), Charity Shield (1979), League Championship (1980), Charity Shield (1980) League Cup (1981), European Cup (1981), League Cup (1982), League Championship (1982), Charity Shield (1982) League Cup (1983), League Championship (1983)

Runner-up : League Championship (1975), Charity Shield (1976), FA Cup (1977), League Cup (1978), League Championship (1978), European Super Cup (1978), Intercontinental Cup (1981)

Shankly's 55-year-old assistant Bob Paisley, was promoted to the position of manager for the 1974–75 season after failing to persuade his predecessor to carry on. Paisley was manager of Liverpool from 1974 until 1983, and during those nine years he became one of the most successful managers ever to take charge of an English club. His one and only season without winning a trophy was his first, 1974–75.

Paisley's second season brought the league title (the first of six under his management). In 1977 the championship was retained and the team won the European Cup for the first time in the club's history. The final was won with 3–1 over old foes Borussia Mönchengladbach. This game in Rome was Kevin Keegan's last for the club. The European Cup was retained the following year with a 1–0 win in the final against F.C. Brugge with the goal scored by Kenny Dalglish, Keegan's replacement. Dalglish had been put through by future captain Graeme Souness. 

1978–79 was a record breaking year as the league title was won with 68 points and only 16 goals conceded in 42 matches. The following season brought another league title. Paisley's third and last European Cup victory came in 1981 with a 1–0 victory in the final over Real Madrid. The unexpected scorer of the winning goal was defender Alan Kennedy. The only domestic trophy to previously elude them, the League Cup, was also won that season with another defender, Alan Hansen, grabbing the winning goal.

A defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day 1981 saw Liverpool drop to eleventh place, and their opponents went top of the league on that day, but a string of victories brought the title back to Anfield. Ironically, they sealed the title on the final day of the season with a 1–0 home win over Manchester City, who in contrast had suffered a terrible run of form in the second half of the season and slumped to 12th place. 

The League Cup was also retained, with a 3–2 win over FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur in extra time. Young midfielder Ronnie Whelan scored twice, with the other goal coming from emerging striker Ian Rush who had signed from Chester two years earlier but only that season broke into the first team. 

1982–83 saw Liverpool retain the league title and also the League Cup. They faced some stiff competition early on, but by the end of February the title race was effectively over. The title was clinched with four games remaining. A unique third successive League Cup triumph had been secured on 26 March when goals from Alan Kennedy and Ronnie Whelan gave them a 2–1 win over Manchester United in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Such was the success of Liverpool, who won six of the nine league titles they contested for during Paisley's management, that the manager himself once quoted: Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too – one year we came second.

The big question for fans at the conclusion of that season was who would replace Bob Paisley. Before retiring he won a total of twenty-one trophies, including three European Cups, a UEFA Cup, six league titles and three consecutive League Cups during his spell as manager. Under Paisley, a new era of stars emerged. They included Graeme Souness, Ian Rush, Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish.

History of Liverpool FC (Part 5) The Bill Shankly Era (1959–1974)

Honours Won : League Championship (1964), Charity Shield (1964), FA Cup (1965), League Championship (1966), Charity Shield (1966), League Championship (1973), UEFA Cup (1973), FA Cup (1974), Charity Shield (1974)

Runner-Up : Charity Shield (1965), European Cup Winners Cup (1966), League Championship: (1969), FA Cup (1971), Charity Shield (1971), League Championship: (1974),

Bill Shankly became Liverpool manager in December 1959 and over the next 15 years he transformed them into one of the top club sides in Europe. Shankly utilised The Boot Room for a second purpose; the location of coaches meetings. The founder members with Shankly of the boot room staff were Joe Fagan, Reuben Bennett and Bob Paisley.

Within a year they had released twenty four players but notably retained striker Roger Hunt and full back Gerry Byrne. Fellow Scots Ian St John and Ron Yeats were signed from Motherwell and Dundee United respectively. Winger Ian Callaghan also established himself in the team. In 1961–62, Shankly's third season as manager, they duly won the Second Division championship by eight points and were promoted to the top flight. They have remained ever since, never finishing below eighth in the league.

In 1964, Liverpool lifted the League Championship. It was also the year in which the team adopted its now famous all red strip. They failed to retain the championship trophy the following season but compensation came in the form of a first-ever FA Cup (a 2–1 Final win over Leeds United). That year they also played for the first time in the European Cup where the first match was against KR Reykjavik. This first European campaign ended at the semi-final stage against Italian club Internazionale, going out 4–3 on aggregate. In a tie still remembered on Merseyside, Liverpool won the first leg 3–1 only to lose the second leg 3–0.

The following year Liverpool regained the championship and also reached the European Cup Winners Cup Final – losing 2–1 to Borussia Dortmund after extra time. By now Shankly was one of the most highly rated managers in the game and his squad contained some of the finest players in England. Despite this success Shankly was already planning further signings. Future internationals Emlyn Hughes, John Toshack and Kevin Keegan were signed from clubs in the lower divisions as the 60s team was gradually dismantled.

In 1973 Liverpool won their last League Championship under Shankly. They also won their first ever European trophy that year with a UEFA Cup triumph. Their opponents in the 1973 UEFA Cup Final were Borussia Mönchengladbach. Played over two legs, Liverpool ran out 3–2 aggregate winners. The Final appeared over after the first leg with Liverpool 3–0 winners. However, Mönchengladbach fought back in the second leg to win 2–0, giving Liverpool a narrow victory.

They won the FA Cup again a year later with a convincing 3–0 final win over Newcastle United. Shankly stunned the footballing world soon afterwards by announcing his retirement. The club's players and fans tried to persuade him to carry on, and a local factory even threatened to go on strike. Shankly ignored these pleas and joined the club's fans on The Kop as a spectator, while he handed over his managerial duties to Bob Paisley.

History of Liverpool FC (Part 4) Don Welsh (1951–1956) & Phil Taylor (1956–1959)

Don Welsh (1951–1956)

Honours Won : –

Don Welsh succeeded George Kay as Liverpool manager in 1951. He had played for Liverpool during the Second World War as a guest, and had also won the FA Cup with Charlton in 1947. Unfortunately for Welsh, he inherited a team that was coming to the end of its time. After spending on some new players such as Alan A'Court, Welsh could not prevent the team from sliding down the table and into relegation for the first time in over 50 years.

Liverpool almost made it back to Division 1 in 1956. However despite that close result, Welsh was not to be given another chance and was sacked in 1956, the first time this had happened to a Liverpool manager in 64 years of existence. He was replaced by Phil Taylor.

Phil Taylor (1956–1959)

Honours Won : –

Phil Taylor took over as Liverpool boss in 1956 after the sacking of Don Welsh. He was immediately given the task of leading Liverpool to promotion back to Division 1. Taylor soon found the pressure of getting Liverpool back into the top division almost intolerable. The club finished third in 1957 and a fourth place followed that in 1958.

In January 1959 Liverpool suffered their most humiliating defeat when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-League Worcester City. Taylor resigned on 17 November 1959.

History of Liverpool FC (Part 3) George Kay (1936–1951)

Honours Won : League Championship (1947)

George Kay was recruited from Southampton in June 1936, to replace George Patterson, who was unable to continue the managerial side of his role. Kay's career as Liverpool manager started poorly, with only three wins and four draws from the first twelve matches. This run included a 2–6 defeat at Portsmouth's Fratton Park on 2 September and a 2–5 defeat at Brentford; the only bright spot in this spell was a 7–1 victory over Grimsby Town on 12 September, with two goals from Fred Howe. Results improved slightly as the season progressed and Liverpool finished Kay's first season in charge in 18th place in Division 1.

Despite the set-back of an opening day 1–6 defeat at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, Liverpool finished the 1937–38 season comfortably in mid-table, with Alf Hanson top scorer on 14 league goals. In the following season, Liverpool again finished in 11th position in the table, with Berry Nieuwenhuys, Willie Fagan and Phil Taylor joint top scorers in the league with 14 goals each.

In readiness for the next season, Kay snapped up young defender Bob Paisley on a free transfer from Bishop Auckland, as well as another future Liverpool legend Billy Liddell, but all their careers were then interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.

After the war, the club took the unusual decision to tour the United States and Canada. It was Kay's theory that the climate and diet in North America would be extremely beneficial to the players. The punishing schedule of 10 matches in less than a month meant that the Liverpool squad started the first post-war season in far better physical shape than many of their competitors.

The season started slowly, with four victories and three defeats in the first seven games. The victories included a 7–4 match against Chelseaon 7 September, in which Bob Paisley made his league debut for the club and Billy Liddell scored his first league goal. There was also a 5–0 defeat away to Manchester United (played at Maine Road). Things began to improve and a run of seven consecutive victories in February and March set the club on the way to the championship.

Liverpool had a long run in the F.A. Cup, eventually going out to Burnley in the semi-final, after a replay. The club did, however, pick up the Lancashire Senior Cup, Lancashire County Combination Championship Cup and Liverpool Senior Cup along the way.

As the season reached its climax, several clubs were still in contention and on 31 May 1947 Liverpool went to Molineux to meet the leaders,Wolverhampton Wanderers needing to win to take the championship, as well as other results going in their favour. Liverpool won the match 2–1, other results went their way and the Reds were champions of the Football League for a fifth time. It was George Kay's finest moment as a football manager.

Top scorers in the Championship season were Jack Balmer and Albert Stubbins with 24 league goals each. They continued to be prolific scorers during Kay's period in charge but the club was unable to come close to another championship, finishing each of the next three seasons in the lower part of the top half of the table. In 1950, they reached the F.A. Cup final for the first time in 36 years, but the match atWembley ended in a 2–0 victory for Arsenal.

By now, Kay was clearly not a well man and he retired in January 1951, to be replaced by Don Welsh.

History of Liverpool FC (Part 2) From 1892 Onwards

In the early 20th century, rivals Liverpool and Everton produced a joint matchday programme. This example is from April 1910.

Houlding and the new Liverpool F.C. had an international standard ground, but no team. John McKenna was appointed a director of Liverpool, and went to Scotland, where he signed thirteen professionals for the new club. The team was labelled "the team of the Macs" because eight of the thirteen Scottish signings had a "Mc" prefix. They played their first game against Rotherham Town, winning 7–1 with Malcolm McVean scoring their first ever goal, the match being the first occasion that an English domestic team had fielded a side consisting entirely of non-English players.

An ambitious application to join the Football League was rejected. Liverpool kicked off life in the Lancashire League with an 8–0 win at Anfield against Higher Walton with a team composed entirely of Scottish players. John Smith scored the first competitive goal. Ending the first season as champions and beating Everton 1–0 in the first Merseyside derby, in the 1893 Liverpool Senior Cup final at Bootle F.C. Liverpool F.C. was elected to the Football League alongside Woolwich Arsenal.

McVean scored the club's first league goal in a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough Ironopolis and ended the season unbeaten and Second Division Champions, winning a test match 2–0 against Newton Heath (soon to be renamed Manchester United) and promotion to the First Division.

Upon the arrival of manager Tom Watson, a 3-time-championship-winner at Sunderland, the strip changed from blue and white quarters to the famous red and white, and in 1901 Scottish international Alex Raisbeck was the first Liverpool captain to collect the Football League championship. League champions again in 1906, when Everton also won the FA Cup, the ground capacity was increased with the building of a huge cinder bank behind the south end goal. It was christened the Spion Kop, after a Boer War battle of 1900 where over 300 men of the Lancashire Regiment died, with many being from Liverpool.

Liverpool played their first FA Cup final, the last at Crystal Palace, and the first attended by the reigning monarch, George V, losing 0–1 to Burnley in 1914. However, the club were also involved in the 1915 British football betting scandal, one of the earliest match-fixing scandals which saw four Liverpool players banned, although the bans were rescinded in 1919. Liverpool soon bounced back; in 1921-2 and again in 1922-3, captained by England full-back.