Past playersPeter Thompson

Unfortunately for our opponents, Bill Shankly had spotted Thompson's potential and clinched a deal to bring the dribbling and hard-working winger to Anfield 18 months later.

The Carlisle native was an identikit Liverpool player for the demanding Shankly – he could run, cross, shoot and provide the perfect balance to Ian Callaghan on the opposite side of the field.

Thompson played every single match as the Reds beat Manchester United to the championship by four points in 1963-64, contributing six goals from his wide starting position along the way.

Having scored in the semi-final victory over Chelsea at Villa Park, he completed the whole 120 minutes as the Reds finally tasted triumph in the FA Cup at Wembley in May 1965 – Leeds United were beaten 2-1 after extra-time.

Despite his obvious suitability to international football, Alf Ramsey's preference for a formation without genuine wingers meant Thompson was a mere observer when England lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1966.

No matter; Shankly's side had cruised to a second league title in three years in 1965-66, with Thompson missing just two matches along the way. Indeed in his first seven seasons at Anfield, the wide man played 284 of a possible 294 league fixtures.

His influence eventually began to wither during 1970-71, although he created an ultimately futile goal for Steve Heighway after being introduced as a substitute in the 1971 FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal.

Thompson's last appearance for the Reds – his 416th – came at Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 1972, before a troublesome knee problem forced him to remain in the club's reserve team.

He departed on loan to Bolton Wanderers the following year and later joined them on a permanent deal.