25 years ago: Beardsley joins Reds
It was 25 years ago today that Peter Beardsley first walked through the doors at Melwood ahead of a season that would go down as arguably Liverpool's finest ever.
Geordie forward Beardsley dribbled and shimmied his way to 175 games and 59 goals in a red shirt, winning two leagues and claiming an FA Cup along the way.
Kenny Dalglish broke what was then the British transfer record by paying Newcastle £1.9m for Beardsley's services in July 1987.
With John Barnes heading to Anfield that same summer, it did not take long for the new recruits to find their feet and gel with striker John Aldridge.
The attacking trio linked up to good effect to get Aldo off the mark after nine minutes against Arsenal in the opening game of the 1987-88 campaign.
Beardsley started as he meant to go on, notching 18 goals in 48 games in an impressive debut season in which the Reds finished as First Division champions.
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With Rush trying his hand in Italy with Juventus and player-manager Kenny Dalglish deciding to make only the occasional first-team performance, Beardsley and Aldridge emerged as Liverpool's new intimidating forward partnership. An FA Cup triumph over Everton in 1989 was followed by a second league title in 1990.
Other memorable moments of his time with Liverpool included a hat-trick against rivals Man United in a 4-0 rout at Anfield in September 1990, and his performance against Nottingham Forest in April 1988.
In a game many Kopites consider to be Liverpool's finest 90 minutes of football, Beardsley created two goals and scored another in a total demolition of Brian Clough's side.
