Past Masters, Nos. 1 and 2

Liverpool FC Legends of long ago

No.1 – Alex Raisbeck

The club’s first superstar may not be a household name now, even amongst most Reds fans. But Alex Raisbeck was Liverpool's first superstar, the Steven Gerrard of his era, and the pivotal figure in the club’s first two title-winning seasons in 1900/01 and 1905/6.

One of the first in an illustrious line of great Scots to grace Anfield, the fair-haired Scot was ‘ever prominent with head and feet’ in those two title wins.

In those days, 2-3-5 was the formation du jour – which made the middle one of the ‘3’ the fulcrum of the team, charged not only with defensive responsibilities but also with instigating attacks, much more like a modern midfielder than the position ‘centre half’ may imply.