Iconic images: Shankly's defiance in the face of defeat
Throughout LFC's 125th anniversary year, Liverpoolfc.com will retrace the club's history through the striking images that plot a fascinating journey.
Fifth in the series is a photograph that perfectly captures the unbreakable bond between Bill Shankly and Liverpool's supporters...
Six years on from the club's long-awaited first triumph in the competition, the Reds were back at Wembley to compete in another FA Cup final.
On Saturday May 8, 1971 a classic cup final took place. From a Liverpudlian point of view, however, a day that started with so much hope would end in despair.
After 90 minutes, Liverpool and Arsenal were deadlocked at 0-0. Steve Heighway opened the scoring in extra-time, but Eddie Kelly's equaliser and Charlie George's late winner sealed a first league and cup double for the Gunners.
Nevertheless, hordes of Reds fans were waiting to welcome Shankly and his players back to Liverpool a day later. The relationship between the boss, his team and the Anfield faithful was too strong to be affected by a single loss, no matter how heartbreaking.
The image above shows Shankly in that familiar pose of his - arms outstretched, at once accepting and returning the love being bestowed upon him by people with whom he enjoyed a connection underpinned by mutual admiration and adoration.
His facial expression appears to display a mixture of ruefulness, defiance and pride as the gathered crowd hail their leader.
Bill Shankly: Even in defeat, he made the people happy.
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