The 1977–78 season was Liverpool Football Club's 86th season in existence and their 16th consecutive season in the First Division. It was a season of contrasts for Liverpool as they retained the European Cup, following a 1–0 victory against Club Brugge in the final at Wembley in London, and won the European Super Cup by beating Hamburg, who included former Liverpool forward Kevin Keegan in their side, 7–1 on aggregate with a 6–0 Second Leg win at Anfield. However, in both the Football League and the Football League Cup they would end as runners-up to newly promoted Nottingham Forest managed by Brian Clough. The replay of the Football League Cup final would prove to be very controversial with a penalty that decided the match, followed by a disallowed goal when it was adjudged that Terry McDermott handled the ball.
Liverpool manager Bob Paisley bought Kenny Dalglish from Celtic for £440,000, a record transfer fee between British clubs. Dalglish went on to score 20 goals in the league and 31 in all competitions, including the winner in the European Cup Final. Realising that Ian Callaghan was nearing the end of his career at Liverpool, the club also spent £352,000 on Graeme Souness from Middlesbrough.
However, Callaghan's final season started with a call up to the England squad, and would play in the match against Switzerland on 7 September 1977 under new manager Ron Greenwood. It was to be his first cap since playing in the 1966 FIFA World Cup finals against France.
Terry McDermott's emergence would also see him make his debut in the same match with Ray Clemence, Phil Neal, Emlyn Hughes and Ray Kennedy also playing as well. Kevin Keegan also played in the match, making it seven current and former Liverpool players in that game.
Squad
Goalkeepers
- Ray Clemence
- Peter McDonnell
- Steve Ogrizovic
Defenders
- Emlyn Hughes
- Joey Jones
- Brian Kettle
- Alec Lindsay
- Phil Neal
- Tommy Smith
- Phil Thompson
- Alan Hansen
- Colin Irwin
Midfielders
- Ian Callaghan
- Jimmy Case
- Steve Heighway
- Sammy Lee
- Ray Kennedy
- Terry McDermott
- Graeme Souness
Forwards
- David Fairclough
- Kenny Dalglish
- Kevin Kewley
- John Toshack
- David Johnson
Squad statistics
Appearances and goals
League table
Results
First Division
FA Charity Shield
FA Cup
Football League Cup
Final
Final Replay
European Super Cup
First leg
Second leg
European Cup
Final
References
External links
- LFC History.net – 1977–78 season
- Liverweb - 1977-78 Season
