Thanks to insights from the players, plus their families and friends, author John Grant has shared how Liverpool prepared to win their first-ever European Cup, back in 1977.
1977, When Rome and the Eternal City Turned Red
Pitch Publishing
The temperature was lifting the mercury to uncomfortable levels, and for a team more used to northern Europe’s even climate, the need for a more measured, cautious workout was important for several reasons.
Bob Paisley’s intention was to ‘just loosen up’, as the energy-sapping heat influenced his thoughts for their pre-match training session.
Indeed, following 10 months of competitive football, it was essential to conserve as much energy as possible for the evening kick-off.
(L-R) Liverpool's Phil Neal, Emlyn Hughes and Jimmy Case show the European Cup to their jubilant fans. 1970s
Consequently, the Liverpool players worked through their moves with some light training, supported by a mini-Kop as a group of children chanted their newfound allegiances to ‘Liverpool and Keegan’.
To complete the kind welcome, a toddler presented Paisley with welcoming flowers, and he replied, ‘Auguri grazie,’ thank you and best wishes.
‘This could have been Bristol City they were playing!’
ROME. ITALY. 26.05.1977 Kevin Keegan poses for a photograph with the European cup in Rome, before flying home. His black eye clearly visible. (Getty Images) 1970s
John Keith recalled the atmosphere and events within the team hotel, which were much the same as any other trip he encountered. ‘The Hotel before the game was very relaxed, you could see that Bob was confident, and it was a typical Liverpool pre-match mood, nothing different.
‘I know it’s hard to believe, but it was the same as if they were playing Bristol City or West Ham. They did everything by rote; they did the same things before every match – that was the Liverpool way.
‘I think the feeling was they were using the Wembley defeat not as a downer, but as an upper, they all felt right, that’s gone, but we are champions of England and let’s go and win the big one.’
Paisley commented that he had never ‘seen a team so relaxed before a match’. He also instructed the players to stay inside the hotel to keep out of the intense heat.
A magnificent end was in sight and one last effort would bring with it the greatest prize in Europe. He was armed with the knowledge that his team possessed a common bond, a camaraderie, a forged togetherness that was the envy of all their opponents.
The team left the hotel and made their way to their coach two hours prior to kick-off. Emlyn Hughes, Steve Heighway, Alec Lindsay and Peter McDonnell were again relaxed and easy in unfamiliar surroundings, and the sense of anticipation was embraced collectively.
Sport. Football. pic: 25th May 1984. European Cup Final in Rome. Liverpool 3 v Borussia Moenchengladbach 1. Liverpool's Kevin Keegan left, and goalkeeper Ray Clenmence embrace during the celebrations at the end of the match. Credit: Popperfoto.com Ref: BTS 1980s
Keegan was swamped by autograph hunters who raised their cards and paper in hope, guided to the coach by Gigi, himself as a human shield. Joe Fagan looked on concerned as the youngsters bustled their way towards Keegan.
Laughing, joking, Emlyn Hughes playing cards, the normal ritual and ideal preparation for the most important match in Liverpool’s history.
Nervous excitement was countered by friendly chat between the aisle and seated neighbours. On display, this was the calm, easy-going atmosphere, the Liverpool way, the ever-present notion that opponents had more ‘toffee to chew’ than they will ever have.
As Ian Callaghan put it, ‘Monchengladbach were a good side, and we both had respect for each other, but once the game got going, they were more worried about us than we were about them.’
Arriving at the Stadio Olimpico
Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes holds aloft the European Cup along with his victorius teammates after the English club beat German side Borussia Moenchengladbach in the final held in Rome, Italy. 1970s
The team disembarked, Steve Heighway, Joey Jones and David Fairclough, with Phil Neal sporting fashionable shades, carrying a red-and-white Adidas Telstar ball in his hand.
Phil Thompson, Terry McDermott, Alec Lindsay and Ian Callaghan walked calmly towards the shuttered entrance. The last to disembark were two friends, Jimmy Case and Ray Kennedy, usually inseparable, guided into the stadium by a UEFA official wearing a cream suit. All was calm and Gigi scanned for available porters.
Gigi was a busy man on arrival at the ground. He assured Ronnie Moran that all was well and under control. Moran enquired, ‘Where are the porters?’
As the players disembarked from the coach, he gestured to arrange porters for their luggage, whereby Gigi assured him it would be collected and taken to the dressing room.
Moran, who was meticulous in his planning, exhaled in frustration but was also conscious not to convey this to the players as they passed by.
26 May 1977: The flag waving crowd welcoming the Liverpool FC team on their return to Liverpool after winning the European Cup in Rome. Parade. (Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo) 1970s
A pitch inspection was essential to gauge the required stud choice that would grip the dry surface. The crowd cheered when Joey Jones raised his typical one-fist salute as he waved his flag, and Heighway laughed, enjoying the moment. Hughes and Keegan looked on. They had visited the Stadio Olimpico previously with the England team.
While in their dressing room, the Monchengladbach players could hear the pulsating echoes of vibrancy and acknowledgement for their opposition, and the Liverpool crowd would be an additional force to contend with. It would be difficult to silence the red-and-white legion, and the Liverpool players knew it.
They had heard it all before, but so too had Monchengladbach, in 1973.
Jimmy Case and Ray Kennedy, again led by a taupe-suited UEFA official, walked towards the polytunnel entrance, then resurfaced on the running track to take in the warm air. To their left, a welcoming sea of red-and-white rhythmic waves.
Thanks to author John Grant who has shared this extract with us from his new book, 1977, When Rome and the Eternal City Turned Red.
You can buy the book here.