Need an introduction to Liverpool FC? Well, you’re not alone. Since 1892 the club has had a wild ride of ups and downs and fans all over the world. Over the years Liverpool has gone from being a local team to one of the biggest teams in the world.
Liverpool’s journey has been a mix of on the pitch magic and off the pitch struggles. These experiences have shaped the club’s DNA and made it so popular. With fanbases in over 60 countries Liverpool’s reach goes way beyond the walls of Anfield, the club’s home. This global appeal aligns perfectly with 1Win commitment to connecting fans worldwide and supporting iconic teams.
How Liverpool FC Was Born
Liverpool FC was born out of a row between Everton FC and John Houlding, a local businessman and politician in 1891. Houlding owned Anfield the stadium Everton had been using since 1884. When Houlding increased the rent from £100 to £250 a year Everton refused to pay and moved to Goodison Park leaving Houlding with an empty stadium.
Houlding decided to start his own football club. He tried to call it Everton Athletic but the Football Association wouldn’t allow it as it was too similar to Everton. So the club was rebranded as Liverpool FC in 1892.
They hit the ground running. Lancashire League champions in their first season and in the First Division by 1896. That was the platform for Liverpool’s dominance of English football.
First Division winners by 1901 and again by 1906. Those early wins made Liverpool a big club in English football and set the stage for all that was to come.
Bill Shankly – A New Era
Despite their early success Liverpool had a tough time in the mid 20th century. They won the First Division in 1947 and then went into decline and got relegated in 1954. Mediocrity continued until Bill Shankly arrived in 1959.
Shankly was a game changer for Liverpool. He was unorthodox and we all know what he was like and he changed the club. First thing he did was get rid of 24 players he didn’t think were good enough. Then he introduced the “Boot Room” where the coaches would go over tactics and strategy in a room at Anfield.
Shankly never stopped preaching hard work, unity and discipline and instilled a culture of excellence that would become the clubs DNA. His “run through walls” for the team and the fans summed up his commitment to the club.
Liverpool achieved some great records during Shankly’s time. The club won the Second Division in 1962 and got back into the top flight. Then came the UEFA Cups in 1973, three First Division titles (1964, 1966 and 1973) and two FA Cups (1965 and 1974). Shankly had made Liverpool a force to be reckoned with and laid the foundations for the future.
In 1974 Shankly retired and handed the reins to his assistant Bob Paisley. Shankly had already taken Liverpool to the top but Paisley would take the club even higher.
The Bob Paisley Era – Total Domination
Bob Paisley had the unenviable task of following Bill Shankly, but he exceeded every expectation. Under Paisley Liverpool had total control of English and European football.
In his nine years at the helm from 1974 to 1983 he won six First Division titles, one UEFA Cup (1976), three European Cups (1977, 1978 and 1981) and three League Cups. He’s the most successful manager in football history and his three European Cups is a record for any English manager.
Paisley had a knack of finding and developing talent. Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen all became legends under his management. Despite being introverted and laid back he had the tactical and leadership skills to take Liverpool to the top of European football.
Paisley retired in 1983 and Joe Fagan his assistant took over and carried on the good work by winning the treble of League Cup, European Cup and League championship in his first season.
Heysel and Hillsborough
Liverpool’s success in the 70s and 80s was blighted by two tragedies – Heysel and Hillsborough.
In 1985 the Heysel Disaster occurred during the Liverpool vs Juventus European Cup final at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. Crowd trouble led to a wall collapsing and 39 people died, most of them Juventus fans. As a result English clubs were banned from Europe for 5 years and Liverpool were given an extra year.
1989’s Hillsborough was even worse. During the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium, home of Sheffield Wednesday, overcrowding and poor policing led to a crush. 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives and over 700 were injured. It would take decades of legal battles and public campaigns for justice before the 2016 inquest would conclude the victims were unlawfully killed due to police negligence.
These have hit Liverpool FC and its fans hard and have made us all more united and stronger as a community.
Back to the top of the UK and Europe
After the decline of the 90s and early 2000s Liverpool got back on track under Jürgen Klopp.
2019 Liverpool beat Tottenham in the Champions League final to win their 6th European Cup. Next season they won their first league title in 30 years with 99 points.
Through adversity Liverpool have stayed proud and loyal. With a brilliant fanbase and a legacy of great players and managers the journey’s not over. Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world again.
