'Words can't do justice to Callaghan'
On this day 73 years ago, Liverpool's all-time record appearance holder Ian Callaghan was born in Toxteth.
The lifelong Reds fan was thrust into Bill Shankly's plans from an early age, playing his first game for the club just six days after his 18th birthday, in April 1961.
Across 17 years, 'Cally' made a record 857 appearances, winning five league titles, two FA Cups, two European Cups and two UEFA Cups.
Callaghan's best moment in his early years came in 1965 as he produced the cross which Ian St John diverted into the net to win Liverpool's first-ever FA Cup at the expense of Leeds United at Wembley.
More glory followed, as the league title was won again in 1966, a year in which Callaghan was also part of England's World Cup-winning squad - although it wasn't until 2009 that he received his medal.
Callaghan was a rare example of a player from the early 1960s who remained at the club as it emerged as the most dominant side in England and Europe in the 1970s under Shankly and Bob Paisley.
He was part of the team that recaptured the league title in 1972-73, as well as winning the UEFA Cup and ultimately still being a starter when the Reds won their first European Cup against Borussia Moenchengladbach in 1977.
As a player who was there all the way from the club's darker days in the Second Division through to Liverpool's second European Cup win in 1978, Callaghan holds a unique place in Liverpool history - especially holding the accolade of the club's record appearance holder.
Perhaps the last word on Callaghan should go to Shankly, though, who said of his player: "Callaghan is everything good that a man can be. No praise is too high for him.
"He is a model professional, and a model human being. If there were 11 Callaghans at Anfield there would never be any need to put up a teamsheet.
"You could stake your life on Ian. Words cannot do justice to the amount he has contributed to the game. Ian Callaghan will go down as one of the game's truly great players."