FeatureChris Lawler turns 80: Liverpool's greatest goalscoring defender

The Scouser, who celebrates his 80th birthday today, boasts a haul of 61 goals during his 12-year career with the Reds at senior level.

It's a hugely respectable total from any perspective, one he shares with Jan Molby, but further context adds extra shine and sparkle to it.

Indeed, Lawler was a right-back in Bill Shankly's team – and a good one at that. And no, he didn't take penalties or free-kicks either. He also only really ventured forward on corners when Liverpool were behind in games.

Instead, it was his sixth sense and 'brain of a striker', according to Bob Paisley, that saw Lawler pop up in the right place time and time again in front of goal.

"They used to call him 'The Ghost'," Ian Callaghan said. "He could turn up anywhere unexpected, score vital goals.

"I think his ratio to games and goals is fantastic for a full-back. Never to be beaten, I think."

In fact, Lawler's most well-known nickname was 'The Silent Knight'. It was fitting for the way he went about his business in a quiet, understated manner.

But Lawler's achievements at Anfield are absolutely worth shouting about.

Arriving at Liverpool a few months before Shankly did, Lawler would have to bide his time to find a regular spot in the XI.

He first saw himself as a centre-back but found opportunities limited there in 1962-63 and 1963-64. But with Manchester United circling for a transfer, Shankly came up with a tactical tweak to give Lawler the game time he so desired.

"He moved Gerry Byrne over to left-back and tried me at right-back," Lawler recalled in an interview with LFChistory.net. "I just played nearly every game after that."

Lawler would go on to make a staggering 494 appearances across nine campaigns between 1964 and 1973. It included a run of 316 consecutive outings.

He was one of many cornerstones in the Shankly squad who put Liverpool on the map domestically and in Europe.

Lawler played in the 1965 FA Cup final victory over Leeds United at Wembley to help deliver the club its first triumph in the famous competition.

That honour would be followed up by First Division titles in 1965-66 and 1972-73, a UEFA Cup in 1973 and another FA Cup winner's medal in 1974.

He also earned a call-up with England, fittingly scoring on the first of his four bows at international level.

Lawler's best goalscoring return in a season came in 1969-70 when he found the back of the net on 11 occasions.

But it was the following campaign during which he netted his favourite goal in a Liverpool shirt. Lawler was the match-winner for one of the most memorable Merseyside derbies of that era.

With the Reds two goals behind just past the hour mark, Steve Heighway and John Toshack both netted to level the Anfield affair. It set the stage for Lawler to become the Kop's hero six minutes from time.

He remembered: "It was getting late on in the game. I only went up when needed. I ended up in the penalty area.

"Toshack flicked it on and I just controlled it and volleyed it in the back of the net. Everyone went mad."

That was one of several examples of Lawler's ability to not only score but to score in fabulous fashion. Those memorable hits make his unmatched statistics for a defender even more impressive.

After 549 games and 61 appearances on the scoresheet, Lawler's time as a player at the club ended in 1975. He would continue playing in the UK and overseas before enjoying a spell as Liverpool's reserve team manager.

Lawler remains a hugely popular and well-respected figure whenever he returns to Anfield and we wish him all the very best on his 80th birthday.