John McLaughlin
Date of Birth: 25-2-1952.
Birthplace: Liverpool.
Debut : April 18th 1970 v Chelsea (A). Division One - lost 2-1.
1st team games: 55
1st team goals: 3
Other clubs: Portsmouth.
John McLaughlin is the player Bill Shankly once famously declared to Bob Paisley, "We've created a monster!"
McLaughlin was a highly-rated youngster who started as an Apprentice at Anfield before signing professional terms on his 17th birthday in February 1969.
McLaughlin was a skinny figure of a player and Shankly insisted he had steaks for pre-match meals to build his weight up, hence the classic "We've created a monster!" quote.
Shankly eased the midfielder into the First Division scene by picking him for the final game of the 1969-70 season, a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea. At the start of the 1970-71 season McLaughlin became a regular in midfield and started the season well with a couple of goals in a 4-0 Anfield victory over Huddersfield Town. He then lost his place in the team after a 1-0 defeat at Wolves
The emergence of Brian Hall and the arrival of Peter Cormack the following campaign made it increasingly difficult for John to break back into the first-team and it was no surprise when he was allowed to leave Anfield to have a loan spell with Portsmouth.
However, John only made five League appearances for Pompey before drifting away to the non-league scene.
Honours with Liverpool: None
John McLaughlin