Billy Liddell
Winger/Forward (1938 - 1960)
Date of Birth: 10/01/21
Birthplace: Dunfermline
Debut : 5th January 1946 v Chester City (A) FA Cup: won 2-0
1st team games: 537
1st team goals: 229
Other clubs: Lochgelly Violet
National team: Scotland (1947-56) 28 caps/6 goals
The archetypal man for all seasons and all positions and included in the Merseyside team of the 20th Century voted for by BBC listeners. One of the all-time greats of British football he and Sir Stanley Matthews are the only two players to appear twice in United Kingdom sides who played against Europe in 1947 and 1955.
Scotland international Liddell's prime position was as a raiding left-winger but he also excelled on the opposite flank, at centre forward or inside forward. Such was his versatility that due to injuries to others he played in every outfield department and possessed a hammer of a shot in both feet.
Liverpool signed him from Scottish junior club Lochgelly Violet as a 15 year old amateur in June 1938 and gave an undertaking that he could continue his studies to become an accountant. He remained on the club's payroll until the end of season 1960-61 and his Corinthian attitude meant that in all those years he was never booked.
A maker and taker of goals he starred in Liverpool's 1946-47 Championship season and an early injury to the great Scot at Wembley in the 1950 FA Cup Final against Arsenal reduced his scoring pace as Liverpool slipped to a 2-0 defeat. During Liverpool's 1950's Second Division wilderness years they were nicknamed 'Liddellpool' because of the shining talents of the player who was their top scorer in eight seasons.
Billy Liddell died from Alzheimers disease in July 2001 at the age of 79.
Honours with Liverpool: -
Billy Liddell