Mersey XIs: Gary Gillespie's 1980s

Each former Red was given a decade from which they chose their strongest all-Merseyside line-up and so far we have seen sides from Ian St John and Alan Kennedy. Evertonians such as Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Bob Latchford and Mike Lyons have all featured. 

And today, Gary Gillespie brings us his side from the 1980s. Gillespie signed for Liverpool from Coventry City in July 1983 and played 214 games for the club. Born in Stirling in Scotland, he was a calm and collected defender who became a regular in the 1986-1987 season. He's perfectly placed to bring us his Mersey XI team of the 1980s.

Neville Southall

To get us started Gary has opted for Southall. The last two days we've seen Clemence between the sticks in the 60s and 70s teams. Gary admitted it was a tough call between Big Nev and his own former teammate Grobbelaar. "I'm going to go for Neville Southall in goal," said Gillespie. "I'm putting him in there over Bruce and that's been a tough call but I think Nev was probably the best 'keeper in England in the 80s."

Phil Neal

"In terms of defence, I'm going for Neal at right-back," said Gillespie. "Phil is the most successful Liverpool player of all time in terms of medals and you could see why, because he was an extremely talented footballer." Eight first division titles, four European Cups and four consecutive League Cups came his way after he signed for Bill Shankly from Northampton Town in 1974.

Alan Hansen

"In the middle, I'm going for two captains and Hansen would have to be one because, quite simply, he was exceptional," said Gillespie. "How he only won 26 caps for Scotland is beyond me. He was calm and composed. He could carry the ball out of defence. He was brilliant." Hansen helped bring eight league titles and three European Cups to Anfield during his 13 years on Merseyside and in 1986 he captained the Reds to their first ever double.

Kevin Ratcliffe

"Partnering him I'd have Ratcliffe," said Gillespie. "He captained Everton at the same time as Alan did Liverpool and together they would have made a dominant force at the heart of any defence." At 24, Ratcliffe was already Everton's most successful captain. He led the Blues to FA Cup glory in 1984 before lifting the European Cup Winners' Cup and the League Championship in 1985. 

Steve Nicol

"At left-back I'm opting for Nicol," said Gillespie. "He was more of a right-back but he was perfectly capable of slotting in on the left. He could play anywhere." Nicol was one of the most versatile players the game had ever seen and he played for five different Liverpool managers making 468 appearances and scoring 46 goals. Overall, he won four league titles and three FA Cup winners' medals. 

John Barnes

"On the left it would have to be Barnes. What a player," said Gillespie. "During his first two years at Anfield, he was one of the best players in the world; an astonishing talent." Bought around roughly the same time in the summer of 1987, Barnes and Peter Beardsley became the bed-rock of one of the greatest teams the world has ever seen. Along with John Aldridge, they led the line for Dalglish's great '88 side and they complemented each other perfectly.

Peter Reid

Gary would have loved to have packed the midfield full of his old Anfield teammates but he's decided on a red-blue combination in the middle of the park. And there was one Huyton-born bluenose who Gillespie couldn't overlook for the central role. "I'm going to put Reid in with Souness," said Gillespie. "Both were very competitive, both were winners and born leaders in their own right. The pair of them together would have been a great partnership."

Graeme Souness 

Souness was one of the most fierce and yet elegant footballers to ever wear the red shirt. A fearless midfield general who, despite having a reputation as a hard man, possessed the most subtle of touches. "Souness could do everything," said Gillespie. "He could pass, tackle and score great goals." Arguably his finest moment came in 1984 when he lead Liverpool into the lion's den of Rome's Olympic Stadium to edge Roma in the European Cup final. 

Trevor Steven

"On the right wing it's Steven because he made Everton tick with his ability to cross and his work rate," said Gillespie. Steven played at Goodison Park for six years. During that time he made 210 league appearances for the Blues and scored 48 goals. He netted in arguably the greatest game at the home of the Blues in 1985 as Everton beat Bayern Munich in the semi-final on the way to winning the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Kenny Dalglish

"I'm afraid I can't look any further than Dalglish in behind Rush up front," said Gillespie. "They are the best Liverpool have ever had and with the exception of John Toshack and Kevin Keegan, they're probably the deadliest strike duo the club has seen. Their combination was unstoppable."

Ian Rush

Rush arrived from Chester City in 1980 and the Welshman was a predator in front of goal. He had the pace and the ability to make the runs in front of Dalglish and the pair were always on the same wavelength. Dalglish provided the ammunition for Rushie to cement his name in the record books as Liverpool's all-time record goalscorer with 346.