What happened the last time an iconic manager left Liverpool?
Bill Shankly left Anfield a half century ago and Bob Paisley took charge for the first time
This weekend will begin the Arne Slot era at Liverpool, as the Anfielders kick off their Premier League campaign. Slot has big Adidas shoes to fill, which were worn by ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
It won’t be an easy task for Slot, as Klopp is revered by Liverpool supporters far and wide, thanks in part to winning eight trophies. The most important piece of silverware Klopp picked up was the Premier League title, which ended the Reds’ domestic drought, bringing them to 19 league titles.
Saturday’s match away to Ipswich Town will see Slot oversee his first Premier League fixture. It won’t be the first time an iconic manager was replaced and life continued for the Anfielders.
In 1974, iconic manager Bill Shankly stepped down from the helm of Liverpool Football Club. Shankly’s No. 2, Bob Paisley took the reins of the first-team after years of being a part of the club.
Paisley’s first season at Anfield ended trophyless, although the Reds came close to lifting silverware under the manager. Liverpool made four transfer signings in 1974-75, back when teams could make transfers throughout the season, not just during a few months of the season. Paisley brought in Terry McDermott, Ray Kennedy, Phil Neal, and Peter McDonnell.
The quartet helped the Reds finish the season in second place in the old First Division, just two points behind champions Derby County (back when teams were awarded two points for a win).
The Reds were on target to win the Premier League until the penultimate day of the campaign. Liverpool went away to Ayresome Park and lost 1-0 to newly promoted Middlesbrough.
A run of seven-matches without a win between February 12 and March 19 was the ultimate culprit in Liverpool’s title challenge in 1974-75. Their winless run gave Derby County the chance to overcome a bad start to the season, in which they won just one of their opening seven games.
Liverpool lost in the second round of the FA Cup and the fourth round of the League Cup that same season. Paisley’s first season with the Reds also saw them lose in the second round of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Paisley’s first season as Liverpool manager may not have gone well, but he went on to win 20 trophies during his time at Anfield from 1974 to 1983.
So, will Slot’s first season in charge of Liverpool finish in the same manner as Paisley’s first campaign? A win against Ipswich Town on matchday No. 1 will go a long way to helping Slot and Liverpool this season.