In this series of articles the next two players to wear the 7 shirt were Peter Beardsley and David Speedie.
Peter Beardsley joined Liverpool in 1987 from Newcastle United for a fee of £1.9 million, which at the time was a British record.
In his first season with the club, he scored 15 league goals, second top scorer at the club behind John Aldridge. Beardsley played a big part in his first season helping Liverpool to equal a record at the time of 29 league matches undefeated.
Beardsley was a fantastic player, great football brain and could score his fair share of goals, he built up a great relationship with John Barnes and John Aldridge. The player had many great partnerships over the years at other clubs such as Kevin Keegan, Tony Cottee, Andy Cole and internationally, Gary Lineker who he had a successful partnership with playing in major tournaments, none more so than the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. These players, all sing his praises about his ability and unselfishness work.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Beardsley was sold to local Merseyside rivals Everton for a fee of £1 million in August 1991.
He played 4 years with the club, winning 2 League Titles and an FA Cup. He played 175 times for the club scoring 59 goals, a ratio of 34%.
Marks out of 10 – 8.5/10
Next player to wear the 7 shirt was David Speedie. The player was Kenny Dalglish’s last signing as manager in his first stint in charge of the club in 1991. Dalglish had wanted to buy the player 4 years earlier, when the player was at Chelsea playing of part of a successful partnership with Kerry Dixon. Finally, Dalglish had got his man. Speedie scored on his debut against Manchester United so instantly liked by fans.
The player was vastly different to the player he replaced, Peter Beardsley, Speedie was very good in the air, especially when you take into account his height which was five foot seven inches. He was an aggressive, feisty player who lacked the natural ability of a Beardsley but gave his all.
The player had never had a prolific scoring record at either of his previous clubs before coming to Liverpool. At Chelsea he had scored 47 league goals in 162 league appearances and at Coventry City, 31 league goals in 122 league appearances. He was a fan favourite at Coventry City, where in a team battling to avoid relegation, his fighting spirit was loved and appreciated by the Sky Blues fans.
His career at Liverpool was short lived, when Graeme Souness took charge, quickly Speedie was moved onto Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1991.
Speedie won no club honours at Liverpool, he made 12 appearances and scored 6 goals. A goal ratio of 50%, very decent percentage over a small number nevertheless.
Marks out of 10 – 6/10
Hope you have enjoyed this latest instalment, I will be back next week with the next two players to don the 7 shirt.
Craig Muncey
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