|
Bill Shankly identified Larry Lloyd as the eventual successor to Ron
Yeats' mantle and parted with £50, 000 to secure his services from
Bristol Rovers in April 1969. Lloyd made his debut early in the
following campaign in a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion but spent much
of the remainder of the season learning his trade in the Anfield
reserves. He became a regular during the 1970/71 season, playing 33
league games and displaying a confidence which belied his tender years.
He proved there was far more to his game than aerial power and for a man
standing over 6 feet tall he was good on the ground. Pace was not a
particular asset, but he was strong in the tackle and capable of using
the ball well with his trusty left foot. A burst from the back would
usually encourage his colleagues to team forward such was his surety in
possession and their confidence in his ball skills. He scored just 5
goals from a total of 217 outings, although one of that albeit small
number proved to be the winner against Borussia Moenchengladbach in the
1972-73 UEFA Cup final.
He also earned a championship medal in the same
season as an ever-present member of the squad and found his efforts
justly rewarded by a place in the England team. He was hungry to earn
more honours and would have won an FA Cup winners medal but for a
seemingly innocuous thigh injury that marked the end of his Anfield
career. Although the knock wasn't a serious set back it did keep him out
long enough to allow Phil Thompson to establish his place in the side,
resulting in a £225,000 transfer to Coventry City in the summer of 1974.
(Darren Williams)
|