50 years ago today: An FA Cup landmark

At Villa Park, Shankly's side were faced with the monumental task of overcoming Chelsea, who would finish the season in third position and 12 points ahead of the Scot's team.

Liverpool were still in the hunt for honours in two cup competitions - the FA Cup, which had eluded the club for 73 years, and in Europe where they bid to become the first British outfit to raise aloft the European Cup.

This meant a late season fixture pile-up, where a tough travelling schedule meant Shankly's side threatened to become victims of their own success.

Having played out two 0-0 draws with Cologne in the European Cup quarter-final, the Reds were faced with a replay on neutral ground, and despite Shankly's request to play the game in Scotland, or at least with an afternoon kick-off, it was decided the clash would remain just three days before the FA Cup semi-final, and in Rotterdam with an evening kick-off.

Watching on in Holland was none other than Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty and defender John Mortimore, who were no doubt rubbing their hands with glee as Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead to be taken to extra-time.

After three attempts to conclude the contest, the tired legs of Ron Yeats carried him to the centre-circle where the game was decided by the toss of a coin, which fortunately landed in the Reds' favour, setting up a semi-final meeting with Inter Milan.

Having battled through a gruelling build-up for the FA Cup fixture at Villa Park, it was believed that Chelsea's freshness would allow them to walk over the Reds, with many writing off Shankly's men.

Chelsea looked to have taken the lead after 23 minutes when Mortimore headed home but the referee chalked it off believing the Blues defender had elbowed Liverpool goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence prior to sending the ball into the net.

On a heavy pitch in Birmingham, the team in all red began to take control and apply pressure on Docherty's young Chelsea side, who were being outrun as Liverpool grew in strength and stamina.

After 63 minutes, Peter Thompson cut in from the left flank before arrowing a thunderous shot that crashed into the net past Peter Bonetti from 10 yards to give the Reds the advantage.

Chelsea struggled with falling behind as George Graham and Terry Venables tried to drag the west Londoners back into the contest, but they failed to carve open a resolute Liverpool defence.

With 11 minutes remaining, Ian St John raced away from the Chelsea backline and was brought to ground by defender Ron Harris, leaving referee Smith with no option but to point to the spot.

From the resulting spot-kick, up stepped Willie Stevenson to take his first ever professional penalty and calmly find the top corner past a helpless Bonetti.

It meant Liverpool and Shankly would be going to Wembley and it was later confirmed they would be playing Leeds United.

Five weeks after that momentous victory, the Reds would lift their first ever FA Cup at Wembley against Leeds, and it was the start of a period of dominance which would last for a quarter-of-a-century.

A famous song was penned by the supporters to mark the occasion...

While on the bus to Villa Park haroo, haroo,
I heard my mate make this remark haroo, haroo,
We made poor Chelsea weep and ill
It's Liverpool 2 and Chelsea 0 and we'll all get blind drunk when Liverpool win the cup

So here's to Lawrence, Byrne, St John, haroo haroo,
Milne and Yeats and Stevenson haroo, haroo
Hunt and Thompson what a man,
Lawler, Smith and Callaghan, and we'll all get blind drunk when Liverpool win the cup

For the Liverpool lads raise your glass haroo, haroo
To Stevenson who made the pass - haroo, haroo
Thompson had them in a trance, Bonetti never stood a chance,
And we'll all get blind drunk when Liverpool win the cup.

It's Wembley on the first of May - haroo, haroo,
It's Leeds United labour day - haroo, haroo,
We'll be there to cheer Bill Shankly's side,
And bring the cup to Merseyside,
And we'll all get blind drunk when Liverpool win the cup.

And if it's a draw you'll hear us moan,
Let's use the coin that beat Cologne,
And we'll all get blind drunk when Liverpool win the cup!

Make sure you don't miss the forthcoming documentary highlighting 50 years since Liverpool won the FA Cup for the first time in 1965.

'Ee-Aye-Addio – 1965 and all that: The story of Liverpool's momentous first FA Cup win' is a 70-minute documentary featuring interviews with all the key players involved. The programme will air for the first time on LFCTV on May 1.