NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.33: Ronnie Whelan
Years: 1981-1994
Appearances: 493
Goals: 73
Trophies: League Cup (1982, 1983, 1984), First Division (1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90), European Cup (1984), FA Cup (1986, 1989, 1992)
Ronnie Whelan was so often the man for the grand occasion during his near-15-year Liverpool career.
To date, only 13 players have appeared for the club more times than the Dubliner, who was a serial winner and thrived in two roles he made his own.
Whelan had been a trainee at Manchester United but decided to move to Anfield in September 1979, a few days before his 18th birthday.
A first opportunity in the senior team was well and truly seized upon in April 1981, scoring on debut in a win over Stoke City.
The left midfielder’s breakthrough campaign of 1981-82 saw him rack up 47 appearances, 14 goals and winner’s medals in the First Division and League Cup.
Whelan’s habit of delivering in the latter competition earned him the nickname of the ‘Milk Cup kid’. Winning it three years in a row, he was on the scoresheet in finals with Tottenham Hotspur (two) and Manchester United.
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Watch on YouTubeThe trophies would keep on being raised – including a first European Cup in 1984 as part of the famous treble-winning season.
He recalled: “The thing at Liverpool at the time was, you won a trophy and it was like, ‘Well done, see you next time when we do it again.’
“I remember winning my first league title and Bob Paisley went around with a shoebox with the medals in and just shook hands saying, ‘See you on July 5 for pre-season.’ That was it.
“Maybe that was why we were so successful, we didn’t dwell on what we’ve just done.”
Whelan ceded his position out on the wing following John Barnes’ arrival in 1987 and took up a central role in Kenny Dalglish’s side.
Able to use his game intelligence more in the middle of the park, he considers that chapter to be the ‘best years’ of his time at Liverpool. It also coincided with being handed the captain’s armband.
Whelan made the decision to depart in 1994 after injuries cost him a regular place in the team under Graeme Souness and then Roy Evans.
By that point, the £35,000 signing from Home Farm had done more than enough to be considered a club icon and one of its greatest bargain buys.
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