The Rich History and Heritage Of Liverpool Soccer Club

Liverpool is the most successful English soccer club. During their distinguished history, the club has won 20 league titles and six European Cups (Champions League). The FA Cup and League Cup have also come their way to Anfield in good measure. Overall, they were by far the most successful English club of the 20th century.

While the club had some success in the early 20th century, with five league titles won before 1950, it had not exactly dominated English soccer. By the 1950s, Liverpool languished in the Second Division, outside of the top league of English soccer.

The Shankly Era

However, 1959 would mark a turning point in the history of the Liverpool soccer club. Bill Shankly was appointed the new manager of Liverpool soccer club. From here, Shankly would establish the Liverpool dynasty that would see the Reds emerge as the best team in European soccer.

Shankly soon swept in the changes and brought in numerous new players to the Liverpool team. By the early 1960s, Liverpool was promoted to the top division of English soccer, where they have never been relegated from since.

Still, it would not be too long before the trophies started coming Liverpool’s way. The Kop had a new hero, and also adopted a new red strip in 1964. From here, they would go on to win the league title in 1964, and then the season after, they would win their first-ever FA Cup.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” became an established chant of the Kop during the 1960s. The song quickly became the anthem of the Liverpool soccer club, and it is included on the club badge and is sung by Liverpool supporters today.

Under Shankly, Liverpool would win many further honours. However, not until 1973 would the club win its first European trophy. In the 1973 final, they beat German opposition Borussia Mönchengladbach with a 3-2 aggregate victory over two legs.

Much of Shankley’s success was based on the established Liverpool boot room. The famed boot room at Anfield was where Shankly and his coaching staff would meet to discuss the team, and team tactics and formations. It was here that future Liverpool managers such as Fagan and Paisley also met. As such, it has become a part of the club’s heritage.

Paisley’s European Glory

Shankley’s successor was Bob Paisley. For all the trophies Shankly won, Paisley’s Liverpool teams would go on to eclipse their predecessors. The league title would soon return to Anfield in 1977.

However, more notable was the success that Paisley’s Liverpool teams had in Europe, with the club winning its first European Cup in 1977. With a new era of stars emerging in their ranks, the Liverpool team would go on to win a further two European Cups in 1978 and 1981 before Paisley retired as Liverpool’s most successful manager. Liverpool had emerged as one of Europe’s biggest soccer clubs.