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TLW Hall of Fame: Mount Rushmore

This summer sees the launch of "The Liverpool Way Hall of Fame". More details on the selection process and the nominees will be revealed in due course, but to kick things off we will be naming the four founder members of the Hall of Fame, or TLW’s ‘Mount Rushmore’ if you like. 
 
Very often in sport a debate is had about who is the greatest, or who is on the 'Mount Rushmore' of their field? The four greatest players/contributors to their sport. It's one of the great sport conversations. It's a debate often had in US sport because the field is smaller and narrower than in football. But we here at TLW want to have our own Mount Rushmore, built from the greatest men to represent and serve Liverpool Football Club. 
 
Three are obviously shoe-ins. Who could imagine Liverpool without Bill Shankly? The man who made Liverpool what it is. Or Sir Bob, the man who hauled in three European Cups. Then there’s the King, a man who represented the best that Liverpool could be on and off the field. 
 

 

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But who is the fourth most respected, iconic, legendary figure in club history? After much discussion, we’ve narrowed it down to a choice of four candidates. The factors that determined this were length of service, achievements and status. Others were close and had a legitimate case for inclusion, but this is the final quartet for you to choose between. 
 

 

Billy Liddell 
 
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The Steven Gerrard of his day, Billy was a genuine superstar who spent his entire professional career with Liverpool after joining as a 16 year old in 1938. World War II delayed his debut until 1946 but he soon made up for lost time, amassing 534 appearances and scoring 228 goals before his retirement in 1960. The Scot was held in such high esteem that the Reds were often referred to as "Liddellpool" for a time when he was in his pomp. 

 

Ronnie Moran 
 

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Known as "Mr Liverpool", Ronnie dedicated most of his life to LFC. He initially joined as a player at 15 years of age and left 49 years later having served the club with great distinction in various roles. A member of the legendary 'boot room', Ronnie was a regular visitor to Melwood even after his retirement, right up until his death earlier this year. Liverpool has never had a more dedicated servant, and probably never will.

 

 
Joe Fagan 
 
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"Smokin' Joe" joined the Liverpool coaching staff in 1958 and became a trusted lieutenant of both Shankly and Paisley before eventually stepping into the hot seat himself in 1983, winning an historic treble of League, League Cup and European Cup in his first season as manager. He may have added another European Cup a year later but for the Heysel tragedy. He resigned following the game and was replaced by Dalglish, but Fagan is unquestionably one of the Anfield greats.  

 

 

Steven Gerrard  

 

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"Stevie G" joined the Reds at eight years of age and left 27 years later, viewed in the eyes of some as the club's greatest ever player. He returned in 2017 after a two year stint in America with LA Galaxy to embark on what will hopefully be a long coaching career with the club he served with such distinction as a player. His achievements on the field speak for themselves, you all know what he did as you witnessed it.

 

 

All of the aforementioned would be worthy of a place alongside ‘the Big three’ and rest assured, those who miss out on this will all end up in the Hall of Fame sooner rather than later, but only one can fill the final spot on Mount Rushmore so we’ll now put that to a vote to decide on the fourth member.   
 
Who votes on it? Good question. The way we plan to do it is to have a committee which will consist of representatives from TLW, the media, the former players association as well as a fan vote, which is where you come in, by voting below or on social media etc…. 
 
The fan vote will count as one selection in the final process. The other votes will be cast by: 
 
TLW Contributors (a group of six of our long standing writers will come to a collective choice that counts as one vote) 
 
Neil Mellor, former Liverpool striker, long time friend of TLW and now TV analyst. 
 
Chris Bascombe, Lifelong Reds fan and Liverpool correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. 
 
Dave Usher, TLW Founder & Editor. 
 
We do have a couple of other irons in the fire too but as they’re not yet confirmed we’ll hold off on naming them for now. Watch this space.
 
When Mount Rushmore is decided the Hall of Fame process then begins to select the next four members. The voting process is the same as above and we’ll release more details - including the nominees - as soon as the fourth inductee has been determined. 
 
In the meantime, cast your votes:
 

 

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Hmmm, fake poll. It's rigged should be one man one vote.

 

It relies on the honour system. You seriously think there are people sitting there voting over and over again in order to rig the outcome in their favour? It's hard enough getting people to even vote once, let alone multiple times.

 

Shankly,Paisley,Liddell and Dalglish.

Close thread.

 

Well Gerrard has a 13% lead at the moment so probably best keeping it open if you want Liddell on there!

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Shankly,Paisley,Liddell and Dalglish.

Close thread.

Shankly without  question. Paisley without question, King Kenny without question,  But Liddell? Yes great player no doubt, legend? no doubt, but for a monument?  This should be for the last place between Moran and Fagan. Gerrard can be added after Klopp has won us the title and Stevie takes the reigns for a run of titles and cups. Rafa shouldnt even be in the mix. 1 great thing does not a rushmore make.

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Surely this thing and having these 4 as the 'heads' of it means that we are looking at the men who most define our football club through what they achieved, contributed and what they mean to the club and fans and that they are the ultimate 'leaders'/'icons' of our club.

 

Billy Liddell as good as he obviously was really does not belong in the conversation in my opinion....of course he is a shoe in for the hall of fame and will take his deserved place in it - but one of the 4 faces on our Mount Rushmore?... no way for my money - his contribution to the club as good as it was came during a period when we won virtually nothing and a lot of it was in the 2nd division too.

 

I know he is held in incredibly high regard and spent his whole playing career with us but for me he is not worthy of this accolade...Not when up against multiple European Cup/League and Cup winning managers/coaching staff and 50 year servants/leaders of our club.

 

Our leading goalscorer isn't even in this conversation for example or the man with most appearances for our club, or our most decorated player....

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There has to be someone from the pre-Shankly era so it was an easy choice.

 

Edit: and any discussion of Liddell must surely include the fact that he played football while holding down another job. About as far from the 'shitness of modern football' thread as it is possible to be.

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There has to be someone from the pre-Shankly era so it was an easy choice.

 

Edit: and any discussion of Liddell must surely include the fact that he played football while holding down another job. About as far from the 'shitness of modern football' thread as it is possible to be.

Well said.

I have listened to many stories from people much older than myself(and most passed away now) about how Liddell pretty much held the team together and was one of the reasons we were called 'Liddellpool' to many. He was also a total gentleman in normal life too. Gerrard has been magnificent but I don't think he can be legendary until we look back on his contribution in later life. Most legends are usually dead,or at least older heads.

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There has to be someone from the pre-Shankly era so it was an easy choice.

 

Edit: and any discussion of Liddell must surely include the fact that he played football while holding down another job. About as far from the 'shitness of modern football' thread as it is possible to be.

 

This 

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