Liverpool Football Club is one of the most famous and historic teams in the world. Formed in 1892 by John Houlding due to Anfield Stadium’s previous tenants, Everton, moving to a new ground, Liverpool FC have become synonymous with the city it calls home. Like The Beatles, the Reds are linked to the city and are one of Liverpool’s two most popular exports of all-time.
The club has called Anfield home since its formation in 1892. The ground needed a team, rather than a team needing a ground, and thus, Liverpool FC were created. The Reds weren’t even the Reds at the time. Instead, Liverpool wore blue as Everton, who had moved to Goodison Park one mile away, dressed in red. In 1896, Everton changed their colours prompting Liverpool to do the same as the Liverpudlians donned red shirts for the first time. It wouldn’t be until the 1960s that famed Liverpool manager Bill Shankly dressed the team in all-red for a European Cup match. The intimidating look stuck and by the 1965-66 season, Liverpool played every home match in head-to-toe red.
While Liverpool are one of England’s most famous and successful clubs, it didn’t start off that way. Although they won five English titles between 1900 and 1947, they spent the 1950s and the early 1960s languishing in the Second Division. Shankly’s arrival half way through the 1959-60 season was the club’s catalyst for change and improvement. He brought new training methods to the club and has been cited as one of the best managers in terms of psychology.
Shankly needed just two full years in charge of the Reds to achieve promotion to the First Division in the spring of 1962. By the end of spring in 1964, Liverpool were celebrating their first English championship since 1947. Shankly laid the foundation at Anfield and when he stepped down, his No. 2, Bob Paisley, stepped in and led Liverpool through the 1970s winning trophy after trophy.
Liverpool’s success made them the team of the 1970s and 1980s, as no cup was off limits to the Reds. Unfortunately, due to a ban from European competitions in the late 1980s and a change in football from tactics to diet, that Liverpool just were not ready for, the club declined in the 1990s. Despite the occasional cup final appearance, the decade belonged to Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United. The turn of the century brought some success back to Anfield. Manager Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez were able to lift numerous cup trophies although the Premier League title continually eluded both men.
Liverpool are not just a football club, they are a religion, a lifestyle that consumes its supporters. Matches in the Premier League and Champions League played at Anfield provide some of the best sporting moments due to the passion of the fans. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” rings out inside the old ground before, during, and after matches to signify that passion and connection supporters have with players.
Since October 2010, Liverpool have been owned by Fenway Sports Group. The ownership group also owns iconic Major League Baseball team the Boston Red Sox. FSG have ploughed millions of pounds into the club to bring it into the modern era. With FSG behind them, Liverpool are ready for what may come in the future.
