1971–72 Liverpool F.C. season
Liverpool F.C. fought for the league title for the first time in three years, finishing third, albeit just one point behind champions Derby, in a battle that also involved Leeds and Manchester City. Liverpool's only second attempt at the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup ended in disappointment, following an autumn defeat to Bayern Munich. The season saw the breakthrough of youngster Kevin Keegan, the attacking midfielder playing an integral part in the team, assisting several goals and scored nine himself, having been moved to a striking position. It gave them hope that their trophyless run, now in its sixth season, may soon end.
1971–72 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Chairman | H.E. Roberts | ||
Manager | Bill Shankly | ||
First Division | 3rd | ||
Cup Winners' Cup | Second round | ||
FA Cup | Fourth round | ||
League Cup | Fourth round | ||
Top goalscorer | League: John Toshack (13) All: John Toshack (13) | ||
Average home league attendance | 47,689 | ||
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Another player who had come through the youth system and made his debut as a substitute for John Toshack against Manchester United on Easter Monday was Phil Thompson who would become an integral part of the team for the rest of the decade.
Squad
Goalkeepers
Midfielders
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Derby County (C) | 42 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 69 | 33 | 2.091 | 58 | Qualified for European Cup |
2 | Leeds United | 42 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 73 | 31 | 2.355 | 57 | FA Cup winners, qualified for Cup Winners' Cup |
3 | Liverpool | 42 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 64 | 30 | 2.133 | 57 | Qualified for UEFA Cup |
4 | Manchester City | 42 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 77 | 45 | 1.711 | 57 | |
5 | Arsenal | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 58 | 40 | 1.450 | 52 |
(C) League Champions.
Results
First Division
Football League Cup
Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Scorers | Attendance | Report 1 | Report 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
07-Sep-71 | Hull City | A | 3–0 | Lawler 34' Heighway 38' Hall 53 Pen' | 31,612 | Report | Report |
05-Oct-71 | Southampton | H | 1–0 | Heighway 50' | 29,964 | Report | Report |
27-Oct-71 | West Ham United | A | 1–2 | Graham 30' | 40,878 | Report | Report |
FA Cup
Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Scorers | Attendance | Report 1 | Report 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15-Jan-72 | Oxford United | H | 3–0 | Keegan 47', 81' Lindsay 84' | 56,124 | Report | Report |
05-Feb-72 | Leeds United | H | 0–0 | 56,296 | Report | Report | |
09-Feb-72 | Leeds United | A | 0–2 | 49,572 | Report | Report |
European Cup Winners Cup
Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Scorers | Attendance | Report 1 | Report 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15-Sep-71 | Servette FC | A | 1–2 | Lawler 81' | 21,000 | Report | Report |
29-Sep-71 | Servette FC | H | 2–0 | Hughes 27' Heighway 60' | 38,591 | Report | Report |
20-Oct-71 | Bayern Munich | H | 0–0 | 42,949 | Report | Report | |
03-Nov-71 | Bayern Munich | A | 1–3 | Evans 37' | 40,000 | Report | Report |