Iconic images: The spotlight shines on Liverpool's reluctant genius
Throughout LFC's 125th anniversary year, Liverpoolfc.com will retrace the club's history through the striking images that plot a fascinating journey.
Tenth in the series is a photograph showing the club's most successful manager in the spotlight - a place he ordinarily eschewed.
Bob Paisley didn’t like being the centre of attention.
The man who led Liverpool to six First Division titles, one UEFA Cup, three League Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, six Charity Shields and, of course, three European Cups in just nine years didn’t like a fuss.
But, on March 26, 1983, this reluctant genius was thrust into the limelight.
Paisley’s team arrived at Wembley on that springtime Saturday looking to create yet more history.
No side had ever won three consecutive League Cups - until, that was, Ronnie Whelan clipped home a glorious extra-time goal to defeat Manchester United in front of nearly 100,000 spectators.
Liverpool’s players were aware that this was the last time Paisley, who was to retire at the end of the season, would be their manager at Wembley.
Therefore, captain Graeme Souness insisted on a break in protocol. He would not, as is standard procedure, lead the team up the national stadium’s famous steps to collect the trophy.
Instead, Paisley would go first. Paisley would, for once, be in focus.
The iconic image above captures that moment perfectly and, as Alan Kennedy, the Reds' left-back that day, said: "It was a fitting tribute to a legend."
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