Keegan’s impact at Anfield
Kevin Keegan, a prominent figure in English football, played a crucial role as the spearhead of Bill Shankly’s second great Liverpool side. His contributions were instrumental in securing numerous titles for the club, including three league titles, the European Cup, the FA Cup, and the Uefa Cup twice. He achieved these successes under both Shankly and his successor, Bob Paisley.
Keegan’s scoring ability was evident in the 1974 FA Cup final, where he netted two goals in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory against Newcastle. One of these goals famously prompted commentator David Coleman to remark, “Goals pay the rent – and Keegan does his share.” This performance highlighted his significance to the team’s offensive power.
His time at Liverpool was also marked by memorable moments, such as the 1974 Charity Shield against Leeds United. In this match, Keegan was sent off following an altercation with Billy Bremner, who also received a dismissal. Both players left the Wembley pitch without their shirts, an incident that was reportedly instigated by Johnny Giles, who was not sent off despite landing a punch on Keegan.
In the 1972-73 Uefa Cup final against Borussia Monchengladbach, Keegan scored two goals in the first leg at Anfield. This game was played after an initial attempt was abandoned due to a thunderstorm. The rescheduled match allowed Shankly to reintroduce John Toshack, and together, he and Keegan were pivotal in a 3-0 win. Liverpool ultimately won the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Three years later, under Paisley’s management, Liverpool secured the Uefa Cup once more, this time against Club Brugge. Keegan again scored a vital goal in Belgium during the second leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw, ensuring a 4-3 aggregate victory for Liverpool.
Departure and lasting legacy
Keegan, known for his ambition and desire to explore new opportunities, announced midway through the 1976-77 season his intention to leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign. This decision drew some criticism from supporters but also provided Liverpool with sufficient time to secure Kenny Dalglish as his replacement.
His final appearance for Liverpool was a triumphant one, as the team won the European Cup for the first time. In the final, held in Rome, Liverpool defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1, with Keegan notably outmanoeuvring German defender Berti Vogts throughout the match. By the time he left, Keegan had scored 100 goals in 323 appearances for the club.
Beyond his club achievements, Kevin Keegan is the only British player to have won the Ballon d’Or twice. He was also a significant figure at Newcastle United, both as a player and coach, where he built a memorable team that garnered commendation from Fifa’s president. His career also included captaining and later managing the England men’s national team.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Keegan often reflected that he would be primarily remembered for an emotional outburst in April 1996, known as his “I’d love it” rant, directed at Sir Alex Ferguson. This incident occurred during a tight Premier League title race and became a widely recognised moment in football history, frequently topping polls for memorable Premier League moments.
Keegan’s early life saw him born in Armthorpe, Doncaster, to Doris and Joe, a war veteran and Durham miner. His upbringing was modest, with his family’s terrace house lacking electricity until he was 10. He credited Sister Mary Oliver, a nun who coached his primary school football team, as an important mentor alongside Bill Shankly, who recognised his talent despite initial dismissals from others who considered him too small.
Rejected by Doncaster Rovers, Keegan began working at Peglers Brass Works at the age of 16. He played for their reserve team and a pub team on Sundays, where he was scouted by Bob Nellis, leading to a trial at Scunthorpe. His move to Liverpool under Shankly was a surprise to many, but Keegan scored on his debut and remained a fixture in the team thereafter. He scored twice in the 1972-73 Uefa Cup final first leg at Anfield.
Keegan also embraced commercial opportunities, appearing in a famous Brut advert and releasing a single, “Head Over Heels in Love,” which reached the top 40. He remained married to his wife, Jean, whom he met at the Doncaster’s St Leger horse racing meeting when she was 16 and he was 19.
His England career included defying IRA death threats to play against Northern Ireland in Belfast. However, his World Cup career was limited to 20 minutes in 1982, a campaign affected by a back injury, and he retired from international football at the age of 31.
Keegan was also a pioneer in negotiating release clauses in his contracts at Liverpool and Hamburg, which was uncommon in English football at the time. These clauses allowed him to leave if a club met a £500,000 fee, giving him control over his career moves.
His impact on the game, both on and off the pitch, was significant, from his playing days at Liverpool to his later managerial roles and his influence on the commercialisation of football.
Keegan’s achievements were extraordinary, securing the Uefa Cup twice with Liverpool, including the 4-3 aggregate victory against Club Brugge.
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Source: bbc.com
