NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.53: Peter Beardsley
Years: 1987-1991
Appearances: 175
Goals: 59
Trophies: First Division (1987-88, 1989-90), FA Cup (1989)
The creativity of Peter Beardsley has earned him a place just outside the top 50 in this list of Liverpool’s Greatest 100 players.
The Geordie arrived with the pressure of a British-record transfer fee having been paid for his services in the summer of 1987, but delivered excellent value for money in his four seasons at Anfield.
Dazzling with a famed shimmy and effortless dribbles, Beardsley was the deepest-lying member of a famed and feared Reds attack in the late ’80s, alongside two Johns – Aldridge and Barnes.
He had tallied 59 goals and 44 assists by the time of his short hop across Stanley Park to Everton in 1991.
Taking a few months to settle following his arrival from Newcastle United, Beardsley grew to become a key cog in the side that lifted the First Division title so stylishly in 1987-88, netting 15 times in the top flight.
FA Cup glory awaited in the campaign after, with Beardsley starting in the all-Merseyside final at Wembley, won 3-2 by Liverpool.
A second league winner’s medal was earned in 1989-90 and his displays drew interest from France in the form of Marseille.
Beardsley would end up staying at the club for one more season, bursting out of the gate with a hat-trick against Manchester United and two goals at Goodison Park six days later.
The affection Liverpool supporters held for him was underlined when his name was chanted upon his Anfield return – even while wearing the Everton shirt.
“The Kop were a bit special to me on that day and I won’t ever forget it,” Beardsley reflected.
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