Ray Kennedy joined Liverpool on July 12, 1974, in a club record £180,
000 deal from Arsenal, where he had made his name as a striker, scoring
71 goals in 212 games and helping the Gunners win the League-FA Cup
double in the 1970-71 season. He was the last signing by Bill Shankly
who, on the same day that Kennedy arrived at Anfield, shocked the
football world by resigning as manager after a legendary 15-year spell
at the club. Given his chance in the side by an injury to another
forward, John Toshack, Ray marked his debut by scoring the opener in a
3-0 League win at Chelsea on August 31, 1974, and followed this up with
the last goal in a 5-2 home win over Tottenham Hotspur a week later.
However, he managed only three more goals in his next 14 League games,
including the only strike in a 1-0 win at Carlisle United in October,
and was replaced by Toshack when the big Welshman regained fitness and
returned to the side in mid-December. Kennedy did not appear in any
competitive games for another two months and was in and out of the team
for the remainder of the season. He finished with five goals in 25
League games, a disappointing return which mirrored Liverpool's
below-par season, the Reds making little progress in Cup competitions
and finishing runners-up to Derby County in the race for the League
title. Ray continued as Toshack's deputy at the start of the following
campaign, playing only four of the first 13 League games, scoring twice:
in a 3-0 win at Leeds United in August and a 1-0 home win over
Sheffield United in September. His Anfield career was stalling and it
took a master-stroke from manager Bob Paisley to revive it. Learning
that Kennedy had played as a midfielder when at school, he decided to
switch him to the left side of midfield for the visit to Middlesbrough
on November 1. Liverpool won that game 1-0 and Ray was given an extended
run in the side at the expense of Peter Cormack.
Adapting well to his
new role, Kennedy played seven successive League games and scored the
winner in a 2-1 victory at Newcastle United later that month. A skilful
player with good vision and movement to complement his eye for goal, he
soon made the position his own, starting the last 18 League games of the
season and scoring three goals. The last of these came in a 3-1 win at
Wolverhampton Wanderers on May 4, a victory which gave Liverpool a
record ninth League championship. Ray picked up the first medal of his
Anfield career after making 30 League appearances and finding the net
six times, but there was more glory to come very soon. On May 19,
Liverpool faced FC Bruges in the second leg of the UEFA Cup Final,
Kennedy having been on the scoresheet in the first leg at Anfield on
April 28 as the Reds overcame a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 in an epic
encounter. They drew 1-1 in Belgium (with a goal from Kevin Keegan) to
win the final 4-3 on aggregate and complete their second League-UEFA Cup
double in four seasons. It was the perfect way for Ray to end a highly
successful season. After a shaky start to his Liverpool career, he had
established himself in the side in a new position and won two major
honours. He had also won international recognition, making his England
debut (and scoring a goal) in a 2-1 win against Wales at Wrexham in
March 1976. (Martin Greensill)
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