Liverpool in Europe, Part 2

Out of Shankly's Shadow

Bob Paisley, Shankly’s No. 2 for many years, could not have been more different as a manager to the talismanic, messianic Scot. Where Shankly was flamboyant and colourful as a character, north-easterner Paisley could appear dour and taciturn, almost monosyllabic and monotone before the media by comparison with his articulate, expressive, garrulous predecessor, and indeed only took the job with reluctance. But one thing they had in common was that they were both teak-tough inside. That and the shared experience of every game Liverpool had played in Europe so far, with the harsh lessons of Ajax and very recently Red Star Belgrade uppermost as learning experiences.

Liverpool had opened their European account with the 1973 UEFA Cup under Shankly. Paisley’s first European campaign as manager began in September 1974, in the European Cup, and it didn’t amount to much of a challenge, with the Reds winning the first leg against Stromsgodset Drammen of Norway 11-0, with no fewer than nine different names on the scoresheet!

This article is for Dynasty Subscribers only. Join us by hitting the Subscribe button.