An A-Z of Liverpool F.C., Part 8

N,O,P,Q

Neal

In the days when Liverpool regularly bought players from lower league clubs - think Kevin Keegan, Ray Clemence, Ian Rush - Phil Neal turned out to as astute a buy as any when he became Bob Paisley’s first managerial signing, from Northampton Town in 1974, for just £66,000.

Neal went on to become a fixture as Liverpool’s right-back (although his first few gamees were at left-back) and penalty king for over a decade, making 650 appearances and scoring 59 goals, by no means all of them penalties. His goal tally included two in European Cup finals - the penalty that sealed the 3-1 win over Moenchengladbach in Rome in ‘77, and Liverpool’s only goal against Roma, again in Rome, in ‘84, as well as as one in the ensuing victorious penalty shootout. That’s how he came by his nickname from Liverpool supporters as ‘Zico’!

He became one of the most decorated players in English football history, amassing no fewre than 8 League titles, 4 European Cups, a UEFA Cup, 4 League Cups and a European Super Cup - 18, quite the collection! He also has the Liverpool record for consecutive appearances, that No. 2 shirt coming onto the field for a remarkable run of 417 games between 23rd October 1976 and 24th September 1983! Just think about that for a moment …

In 1985 Neal succeeded Graeme Souness as club captain, and was captain on that black night at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels on May 29th 1985.

Phil Neal was part of the most successful period in Liverpool's history, and his record speaks for itself. He should be considered one of Liverpool's all-time greats.

Nicol

And so to the man who eventually took Phil Neal’s place. Another Paisley signing as a 19-year-old from Ayr United in 1981, Steve Nicol really emerged during the glorious 1983/84 season when Liverpool, then under Joe Fagan, won the treble of League, European Cup and League Cup.

With Phil Neal still in situ, Nicol slotted in playing right midfield. "Chico" as he was known was very versatile, playing at left-back, midfield and even centre-back as well as his more accustomed and preferred right-back slot.

He scored some brilliant goals and was even top of the goalscoring charts at the beginning of the 1987/88 season, after scoring six in his first six League games, including a superb hat-trick against Newcastle which Bob Paisley described as a "masterpiece" - although he infamously missed Liverpool's first penalty in the shoot-out in Rome in ‘84, but still ended up on the winning side.

Nicol was a regular for 11 years, played 468 matches and scored 46 goals. He also became Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year award in 1988/89, after filling six different positions that season. He finished his Anfield career with 4 League titles, that European Cup and 3 FA Cups.

Nottingham Forest

“We Hate Nottingham Forest …

ALL TOGETHER NOW …”

You all know the song. But back in the day, there was no particular animosity towards them. We didn't particularly hate them when that song started being sung, unlike the other two named in it, Everton and Man Utd. Forest were a nonentity, not significant enough to have any feelings towards. The fact is, their name just fitted the song. It scanned. No other reason.

Until around about 1977.

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