Mersey XIs: Alan Kennedy's 1970s

Each former Red was given a decade from which they chose their strongest all-Merseyside line-up and yesterday, Ian St John kicked us off with his selection from the 1960s. There were places for Evertonians like Howard Kendall, Ray Wilson and Alan Ball in the Saint's line-up.

But today we move on to the 70s and it's Alan Kennedy's turn to chose the Reds and the Blues. Kennedy may have signed for Bob Paisley's men in 1978 but he made 158 league appearances for Newcastle from 1972 onwards. So the Sunderland-born left-back knows all about the Liverpool and Everton players of the decade. Here is his selection.

Ray Clemence

Clemence featured in the Saint's 60s side yesterday but it was in the 70s that the 'keeper cemented his place in Anfield folklore. During 11 years in the first team, he missed just six league matches and won almost every major honour in the game. Kennedy said: "I'm going for him because he was simply the best in England at the time and the finest stopper Liverpool have ever had."

Phil Neal

"It has to be Phil," continued Kennedy. "During his years in the team, he barely missed a game and he scored crucial goals for the club." Neal is the most decorated player in the history of the club. During his time at Anfield he won eight first division titles, four European Cups and four consecutive League Cups between 1981 and 1984. Neal was signed by Bill Shankly from Northampton Town in 1974.

Mike Lyons

"They called him Mr Everton and he was a very reliable player," said Kennedy. "Lyons was a big, strapping centre-half. He was what you'd call a whole-hearted player and he gave everything to Everton throughout those years. They were barren years for Everton, the 70s, so Lyons didn't win as much as perhaps he could and should have." Liverpool-born Lyons played 460 games for the Blues and was once quoted as saying he would 'run through a brick wall for Everton'.

Tommy Smith

The Anfield Iron makes his second apearance in our Mersey XIs. Yesterday he was on familiar territory alongside Ron Yeats in St John's back four but today he partners Evertonian Lyons at the heart of Alan's defence. "The fans really loved Tommy," said Kennedy. "He was Liverpool through and through and he was a top player." Smith became the first Liverpool player to lift a European trophy when he captained the Reds to UEFA Cup glory in 1973.

Emlyn Hughes

"Emlyn was to Liverpool what Mike Lyons was to Everton but he won more trophies during that decade. And that's not having a dig at Everton," said Kennedy. "Hughes could play in any position along the back four and was capable of scoring great goals. He did play on the left, especially for England, so I'm going to go with Emyln at full-back." One of the most dynamic players ever to pull on a red shirt, 'Crazy Horse' captained the club from 1973 to 1979. In that period he lifted two European Cups.

Ian Callaghan

Moving on to the midfield, Kennedy has opted for Callaghan as his right winger. "Cally was such a consistent player," said Kennedy. "He was a winger, but he could also play in that deep-lying midfield role. Cally was one of the first players who could play a duel role in the game." Liverpool's record appearance holder was born in Toxteth and was booked just once during his Anfield career. Yesterday he celebrated his 70th birthday and he was one of the first names on the Saint's Mersey XI teamsheet from the 60s.

Duncan McKenzie

"McKenzie was an out-and-out goalscorer but I'm going to put him in the midfield because I want to get a blue in there and mix it up," continued Kennedy. "I toyed with the idea of putting Andy King in, but I think McKenzie had a bit more flair and scored more than King, so I'll stick with him." McKenzie was at Goodison for two seasons between 1976 and 1978. One of his finest Everton performances came against the Reds in the 1977 FA Cup semi-final, which Liverpool won.

Terry McDermott

"Terry came in 1974 and he took a little bit of time to settle in," said Kennedy. "But when he did, he was brilliant. He scored some magnificent goals for the club and he netted in the 1977 European Cup final in Rome as well." McDermott scored arguably the best goal ever seen at Anfield during the 7-0 win over Tottenham in 1978. He supported the Reds as a boy and played against Liverpool for Newcastle in the 1974 FA Cup final.  

Ray Kennedy

"I really want to get Ray in there, simply because for six or seven years he was one of the finest midfielders there was," said Kennedy. Ray Kennedy was converted by Bob Paisley from a striker to a left-sided midfielder. He started out as a striker at Arsenal, scoring 71 goals in 212 games in five years, and was a vital part of the side which won their league and FA Cup double in the 1970-71 season.

Kevin Keegan

Upfront it's Keegan and Latchford. "Keegan's enthusiasm was there for everybody to see," Kennedy explained. "He scored goals, he was a smaller striker than you would usually see at that time but he was suprisingly good in the air. He made things happen on the pitch." Kevin Keegan was the footballing superstar of the 70s and with his famous 'bubble' perm, the Yorkshire-born striker was an icon both for Liverpool and England. Keegan won two UEFA Cups, three league titles, a European and FA Cup during his time at Anfield.

Bob Latchford

"I'd have to have Latchford in there," said Kennedy. "His career as a goalscorer was second to none. He was one of those players who would always be in the right place at the right time." For six successive seasons Latchford topped the Goodison goalscoring charts. In total he scored 138 in 289 appearances.