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| Profile Bill Shankly’s £35,000 swoop for Keegan from Scunthorpe in May 1971 proved one of the shrewdest transfer moves ever. He was signed as a midfielder and potential replacement for long-serving Ian Callaghan. But Keegan’s sparkling display up front in a pre-season practice match persuaded Shankly to plunge him into his debut alongside John Toshack in attack at the start of the 1971-72 season. Keegan scored after just 12 minutes, Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 and another epoch in Anfield history had begun. The confident recruit, born in Armthorpe near Doncaster, hit big-time football like a whirlwind. He swiftly won England under 23 recognition with the first of 63 full caps coming within 18 months as he soared to pop star status. His potent, trophy-capturing alliance with Toshack became feared throughout England and Europe before Keegan joined Hamburg for £500,000 in 1977, going on to become European Player of the Year twice. He scored 100 Liverpool goals and said farewell by helping to win their first European Cup with a 3-1 conquest of Borussia Moenchengladbach in Rome. Later he played for Southampton and Newcastle – whom he also managed – received an OBE and in 1999 became England manager. Playing for Liverpool In 1973, Keegan won his first domestic honours when he and John Toshack formed the prolific goal-scoring partnership which helped Liverpool win their first League championship in seven years as well as the UEFA Cup. Keegan scored twice in the first leg of the final as Liverpool overcame Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-2 on aggregate. The partnership that he formed with Tosh was almost telepathic at times. One famous piece of commentary by David Coleman emphasises the duo’s partnership exactly; all he said was “Toshack, Keegan, one nil”, Shoot, the football magazine, got into the act as well, getting Tosh and Keegan to dress up in Batman and Robin costumes for a photo shoot. They were Liverpool’s Dynamic Duo. Late in 1973, Keegan was a substitute as England faced Poland at Wembley, needing to win to secure a place at the World Cup the following summer. With the score at 1-1 and England close to elimination, Keegan started to get changed when he heard manager Alf Ramsey say: “Kevin, get ready”. Sadly for Keegan, Ramsey was speaking to Derby County striker Kevin Hector, who was duly introduced as a late substitute and very nearly scored with his first touch. Keegan never got on the pitch, the game ended in a draw and England failed to qualify. The following year Keegan was again a frequent scorer but Liverpool surrendered the League title to a relentless Leeds United team who had gone unbeaten for a then-record 29 games at the start of the season. However, Liverpool progressed to the FA Cup final. Their campaign in the competition had started with a tie against the club who had spurned Keegan, Doncaster Rovers, and it was their homeboy who scored both goals in a 2-2 draw. Liverpool won the replay. Keegan scored twice more on the way to Wembley, including a stunning lob-volley over the head of England colleague Peter Shilton in the semi-final against Leicester City at Villa Park. In the final, Keegan scored two as Liverpool hammered Newcastle United 3-0 – his first a terrific chest-down and volley from 25 yards after Brian Hall had fooled the Newcastle defence by diving under the ball; his second a far-post stretch and tap-in after great work down the flank between Tommy Smith and Steve Heighway. It was the first brace in an FA Cup final since Mike Trebilcock scored twice for Everton in 1966. Keegan’s next visit to Wembley was three months later in the Charity Shield game, the traditional curtain-raiser to a new season between the League champions and the FA Cup winners. However, Keegan’s contribution proved less than charitable – he was sent off, along with Leeds captain Billy Bremner after a scuffle on the pitch. Both players removed their shirts in protest, with Keegan visibly shaken by the decision. The fight was shown that night on BBC television and both were fined £500, with Keegan was suspended for three games and Bremner eight. The next year saw Keegan scoring goals and representing his club and country with distinction, but 1975 was a trophyless season for Liverpool and England failed to qualify for the 1976 European Championships. There were honours aplenty for Keegan over the next two years, however, as Liverpool again won the League championship and UEFA Cup. Keegan scored in both legs of the final against FC Bruges, although he had only scored once previously during Liverpool’s run in the competition. In 1977, Keegan was instrumental in Liverpool’s charge towards an unprecedented “treble” of League championship, FA Cup and European Cup, though he rocked the boat midway through the season when he announced his intention to leave in the summer to try his luck on foreign soil. Nevertheless, Keegan was irrepressible as Liverpool clinched the title and reached the finals of both Cup competitions. Keegan’s last appearance in a Liverpool shirt on home soil was a sad one, however, as Liverpool lost the FA Cup final to bitter rivals Manchester United, ruining the “treble” dream. The vintage Liverpool returned for the European Cup final in Rome against Borussia Mönchengladbach four days later and Keegan’s last ever Liverpool appearance was a glorious one. He didn’t score, but Keegan did make a run late which led to a foul inside the penalty area by Berti Vogts. This lead to a coolly dispatched penalty from Phil Neal which sealed a 3-1 win. After 323 appearances and exactly 100 goals, Keegan left Liverpool as promised. He had been made many offers from clubs on the continent but chose to join Hamburg SV in Germany for £500,000. Liverpool replaced him with a Scotsman by the name of Kenny Dalglish. Honours Liverpool Winner * 1972/73 League Championship (Level 1) Keegan was made an Inaugural Inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his impact on the English game as both a player and manager. |
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