Over the next few weeks I will be going through each player who have worn the famous 7 shirt on a regular period since 1971 up to Luis Suarez. I feel it is unfair to include James Milner at this point, however, I will say the fact he has taken on the shirt without any issue or trying to shirk the pressure at his new club, illustrates Milner as a player, will not hide and will embrace everything about the football club, he would be my captain next season, but maybe that story for another time.
With each player I list I will give some statistics of their time at the club and then give my rating out of 10 of their performance and impact at the club, finally finishing with my top 3 which I hope may start work debate amongst my readers.
Without further delays, first player up Kevin Keegan.
Keegan joined from Scunthorpe United in the summer of 1971, the player had played for Scunthorpe more than 100 times with only 18 goals so a low goal ratio, however at Liverpool with better players he scored regularly, on his debut he scored within 12 minutes, he played for the club for 6 years, eventually deciding to move to Germany to play for SV Hamburg. At Liverpool he won the League Title 3 times, FA Cup once, European Cup once and UEFA Cup twice. As an individual he won the Footballer of the year whilst at Liverpool and captained England during his time at the club. In total he played 230 appearances and 68 goals. 30% goal percentage.
Keegan had a real desire to win and be the best player he possibly could be, he trained as hard as anyone at the club at that time, was immensely strong for a reasonably short striker, and scored his fair share of goals with his head. Him and John Toshack had a great striking partnership. Keegan was an outstanding player.
Marks out of 10. 9/10
When Keegan moved to Germany, Liverpool replaced the player and also took over the same number shirt, the player was Kenny Dalglish, a Scottish International from Glasgow Celtic. The player was bought for £440,000 in August 1977, the fee was a British record at that time, so even more pressure.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
You would never of known there was any pressure, Dalglish took to Liverpool it appeared effortlessly, he scored on his debut and then days later on his home debut scored again.
He just kept scoring and providing assists for all strikers who played alongside him, from 1981 a certain Ian Rush starting linking up with “King Kenny” and one of the greatest striking partnerships in British history began. Dalglish would go onto to become player manager winning the double, where he scored a crucial goal against Chelsea to secure the title.
Dalglish played for the club for 13 years, winning amongst others, 6 League Titles, 1 FA Cups and 4 League Cups and 3 European Cups, scoring the winner in 1978. He won footballer of the year and PFA Player of the year. He played 355 appearances and 118 goals. 33% goal percentage.
As a player, his footballing brain was fantastic as was his eye for a pass, such a creative player and his ability to take in a pass and turn from a defender was phenomenal. He is still known as King Kenny, enough said.
Marks out of 10. 10/10
Speak to you next week when I go through the next 2 players to take on the 7 shirt on a regular basis.
Craig Muncey
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