Past playersBruce Grobbelaar

Other than the European triumph in Rome, there was just the small matter of his other 627 runouts for the Reds in a glittering 14-year career in which he established himself as one of the club's greatest ever goalkeepers and also helped secure six First Division titles, three FA Cups and three League Cups.

Grobbelaar was plucked from relative obscurity when Bob Paisley signed him from Vancouver Whitecaps for £250,000 in March 1981. Within the space of a few months, he faced the unenviable task of stepping into Ray Clemence's shoes after the No.1 departed for Tottenham Hotspur.

But the South African-born Zimbabwe international rose to the challenge and soon proved himself to be an able replacement.

It was just shy of five years after making his debut in August 1981 when Grobbelaar missed his next match – a remarkable run of 310 consecutive games keeping goal for Liverpool.

Despite some erratic performances towards the start of his first season, a momentum shift in the second half of the campaign brought consistency for both the Reds and their new 'keeper. On their way to collecting the league title, they also beat Clemence's Spurs team 3-1 in the final of the League Cup.

Grobbelaar's unique brand of showmanship, athleticism and unshakeable confidence ensured he kept hold of his first-team place while Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish were in charge.

He regularly took time to sound off at his defenders when he thought their standards were slipping, as Jim Beglin found out during one forceful tirade in the 1986 FA Cup final against Everton.

The stopper was able to see off any competition for his No.1 jersey until a two-year tussle between himself and new recruit David James took place between 1992 and 1994.

The younger man was to prove the eventual winner as Grobbelaar was injured in the last minute of what would be his final game for Liverpool in a 2-0 defeat at Leeds United in February 1994.