London: Liverpool paid tribute to late manager Bill Shankly to mark 50 years since the Scot arrived on Merseyside to transform the club into soccer superpowers.
Former players from Shankly's era in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as members of his family, paraded on the Anfield pitch at half time in the club's Premier League match against Wigan Athletic.
Shankly's favourite hymn 'Amazing Grace' was played as the likes of Tommy Smith, Kevin Keegan and Phil Thompson helped revive memories of the club's golden past.
"Everybody here knows how important Bill Shankly was to this club," current manager Rafa Benitez said on the club's website.
"To see the former players around was very positive. We have a fantastic club with a great history."
Shankly, who died in 1981, took over at Liverpool when the club was a struggling second division side and spent the next 15 years establishing them at the top.
Under him, Liverpool won three league titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup.
Wednesday's nervy 2-1 win moved them up to sixth in the Premier League, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 09:57