Coach: Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan Achievements: European Cup 1977, 78, 81, 84; Finalists 85 Key Players: Keegan, Dalglish, Hughes, Souness, Hansen, Rush Star Player: Dalglish Formation: 4-4-2
The Liverpool 'Boot Room' created an impressively long-lasting and consistent series of teams that dominated the European Cup for 8 years and launched a period of English dominance in Europe. This spanned a series of managers, although Bob Paisely was the most successful and the architect for what was to follow. A smooth replacement of players playing within the same system ensured continuing success. Kevin Keegan, for example was replaced by the equally great Kenny Dalglish after he left for Hamburg. The style was traditional English 4-4-2 following on from Alf Ramsey but the teams played 'pass and move' flowing football that was attractive and effective.
Unfortunately things came to a sudden and shocking end due to the appalling actions of a section of Liverpool fans in the dilapidated Heysel stadium in 1985, which resulted in the death of 30 Juventus supporters at that years European Cup Final. This led to a 5-year European ban for all English clubs and a 10-year ban for Liverpool. The club would continue to dominate English football for another 5 years, the conveyor belt continuing with addition of players such as Peter Beardsley and John Barnes, but English football was dealt a blow that it would take 10 years to recover from. By 1990 Liverpool's time at the top had ended and, after much trying, they have not won the league since.