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Continuing the article cycle about club histories initiated last week in "Tribune", this time EuroFootball.com visitor Tadas writes about his favorite team. He proposes to get acquainted with the most titled English club and one of the most famous European clubs - "Liverpool", a history filled with enormous tragedies and incredible victories.
No matter what our feelings towards the "Liverpool" football club may be, their impressive collection of all possible titles cannot fail to raise respect. Few other European clubs can compare with the number of trophies won by the "Reds". Last year, "Liverpool" brought another valuable exhibit to its already rich club museum - the European Champions Trophy. The "Reds" fans will not soon forget the dramatic battle in which it was won.
"Liverpool" is rich not only in the titles it has won, but also in its fans. Almost every corner of the world supports this club, and the anthem "You'll never walk alone" truly reflects reality. Even in difficult times, millions of fans have not turned away from their beloved team and have always believed that the sun will rise above their heads. After all, "Liverpool" will never be alone. Anywhere. As it is often said by the banks of the River Mersey, "Liverpool - forever". It is hard to disagree. Many well-known club alumni "sat" in other teams, unable to maintain their level - Ian Rush, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler...
(England)
The club was founded in 1892. Matches are played at "Anfield Road" stadium, which holds 45,365 spectators. The main color of the uniform is red. They have become English champions 18 times. The FA Cup has been won 7 times, the League Cup - 7 times, the European Champions Cup - 5 times, the UEFA Cup - 3 times, and the team has also held the UEFA Super Cup 3 times.
Facts of Interest
The biggest victory won by "Liverpool" was celebrated in 1896 against "Rotherham Town" with a score of 10-1. The biggest defeat experienced was in 1954, in the second division of England, losing 1-9 to "Birmingham". The player who played the most matches in the English championship (640) for the "Reds" was defender Ian Callaghan, who represented the club from 1960-1978.
The most productive player in the club's history in all official matches is Ian Rush, who scored 346 goals. Djibril Cisse was acquired for a record amount in the club's history, £14 million paid to "Auxerre" in 2004, and when selling R. Fowler to "Leeds United" in 2001, almost £12.5 million was transferred to the "Liverpool" account.
Defender Phil Neal played the most consecutive matches (417), dating from 1976-13-10 to 1983-24-09. Current manager Rafa Benitez is the 17th in the club's history. The team was led by Thomas Watson for 19 seasons (1896-1915), with the second being the legendary Bill Shankly, who worked as head coach for 15 seasons (1959-1974).
All-time symbolic team
Coach: B. Paisley. Goalkeeper: R. Clemence. Defenders: Ph. Thompson, A. Hansen, E. Hughes, Ph. Neal. Midfielders: S. Gerrard, G. Souness, J. Barnes. Forwards: K. Dalglish, I. Rush, K. Keegan.
Illegitimate son of "Everton"...
When appearing on the football map in 1892, the most titled English club owes its existence to a real estate owner John Houlding. The history is as follows. In the late 1880s, "Everton", the only club in Liverpool at the time, found a plot of land in the Anfield area for stadium construction. The land belonged to a local brewery owner, with whom they agreed on the rental price. When the stadium was built, the owner of the land changed - John Houlding became the owner. The first thing the new landlord did was raise the rent. "Everton" decided not to accept John Houlding's growing appetite and tried to buy the stadium. However, the amount demanded (£8000) seemed too high. Thus, the footballers were left without a stadium, and John Houlding without a team. Later, "Everton" found a plot of land in the neighborhood, paying £8090 for it.
At that time, John Houlding decided to establish his own club, inviting his acquaintance coach from Ireland, John McKenna. However, the newcomers tried to regain the "label", but Houlding opposed it: "What does 'Everton' mean? Who will understand what city it's from? Better let it be simply 'Liverpool'. So everyone would see where this team comes from." This is how the name "Liverpool Football Club" was born. There was only one detail left - to find players...
McKenna sent letters to Glasgow and Belfast, from which tens of Irish and Scottish players arrived. For curiosity, the surnames of the main eight players and the coach all started with "Mc". The first trophy, the city cup, was won the following year by defeating the same "Everton" club. However, the cup did not belong to the young club for long, as it was stolen. Many blamed angry "Everton" fans.
