In the 28 seasons between 1963 and 1990, Liverpool and Everton between them amassed a total of 17 championships. Though
Liverpool's success ( 13 ) was considerably greater than Everton's ( 4 ) it cannot be argued, that at the end of the
1960s, it was Everton's star rather than that of their 'red' neighbours that was in the ascendancy. Under the management
of Harry Catterick, the blues had taken the title at the end of the 1969-70 season and furthermore, on their way to the
title they had come to Anfield in March 1970 and won 2-0.
The end of that season had brought with it the final demise of Shankly's first great Liverpool side. Defeat in the quarter
final of the F.A. Cup to lowly Watford, signalled the end of one era and the start of a new one. Another season losing
ground to neighbours Everton was unthinkable.
For all sorts of reasons then, Shankly sent his side out on that autumn afternoon at Anfield knowing that nothing short
of victory would satisfy his beloved Kopites. The Liverpool team that lined up included many relatively new faces.
Clemence, Lloyd, McLaughlin, Lindsay and Hall had forced their way into the side only within the last year, whilst Heighway
had made only a handful of appearances. Up front, new signing John Toshack, a £ 110,000 signing from Cardiff had looked
an unconvincing purchase on his debut a week earlier in the 0-0 draw with Coventry City. At half time in a tense, typical
derby match, the score stood at 0-0.
As the second half progressed, Everton roared into a 2-0 lead. Liverpool, attacking the Kop end had it all to do. Just as
it looked as if the game was slipping away, Steve Heighway pulled one back, and suddenly, Liverpool were back in it. Just
seven minutes later, after 76 minutes, John Toshack rose in the box and nodded home the equaliser to send the Kop wild with
delight. There was no question now amongst the Kopites that Tosh was worth the transfer money ! There was only going to be
one winner from hereon in. With six minutes remaining, Chris Lawler, always with an eye for goal, stole forward and prodded
home the winner to the absolute horror of the watching Evertonians. It was the completion of a classic comeback, made by
a curious looking Liverpool eleven that only ever played together twice ( they lost the next match 0-2 at Arsenal ). It
witnessed the coming of age of Steve Heighway, and the canonisation of John Toshack by the Kop. The addition of Kevin Keegan
to the side less than a year later would herald the dawning of one of Liverpool's greatest ever attacking formations.
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