The A-Z Of...Liverpool FC

Barney Corkhill continues his new series The A-Z Of... this time looking at Liverpool FC.

In this series I will go through every letter of the alphabet and link that letter with something to do with the topic.

Here we go!

A - Anfield

Since their formation in 1892, Anfield has been the home of Liverpool. The history of the ground is second to none, and it became a fortress which other teams feared.

B - Benitez, Rafael

The current manager of the club, who, in his first season, brought European success to Liverpool. The Rafa Revolution was born, and consistent improvement has seen hopes of a title challenge increase every year.

C - Callaghan, Ian

Liverpool's highest ever appearance maker, with 857 games in a Liverpool shirt over 19 seasons. He also holds the record of league appearances with 640.

D - Dalglish, Kenny

Widely regarded as the best player to ever play for Liverpool. "King Kenny" replaced Kevin Keegan and went on to help them to success as both a player and a manager.

E - European Cup

No other English team have such an affinity with the European Cup. Five times winners of the trophy, including three under the reign of the great Bob Paisley.

F - First Division

The old First Division was where the Liverpool glory days took place. 18 times winners of that league, they were the most successful, and dominant club of the league's long history.

G - Gerrard, Steven

Liverpool's talismanic captain who has been with the club his whole career. His goals have saved them on more than one occasion, especially in the 2006 FA Cup final, now known as "the Gerrard Final".

H - Hillsborough/Heysel

Two dark days in the history of the club. These two tragedies will be forever remembered by all Liverpool fans, and the tributes to those who died still come in to this day.

I - Ian Rush

Liverpool's highest ever goal-scorer, Ian Rush was one of a long line of great Liverpool centre-forwards. No-one has scored more goals in a Liverpool shirt than the Welshman.

J - Jamie Carragher

Liverpool's current longest servant and highest appearance maker, few players have given more to the club than Carragher. He wears his heart on his sleeve every time he plays and will be looking to catch up with Ian Callaghan's league appearance record.

K - Kop

It's what made Liverpool such a feared team and Anfield such a feared stadium. The Kop was always in full song and showcases arguably the best fans in the country.

L - Liver Bird

The emblem of Liverpool for so many years, players wear the Liver Bird proudly on their chest every time they run onto the field.

M - Merseyside Derby

It's one of the biggest derby matches in the world, traditionally between Liverpool and Everton. These matches usually have it all.

N - Nottingham Forest

It was Forest who Liverpool were playing in an FA Cup semi-final when 94 fans got crushed to death in the Hillsborough tragedy. Two more fans later died of their injuries.

O - Owners

Traditionally owners weren't seen or heard at Liverpool, but recently that has changed with George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

P - Paisley, Bob

Arguably the greatest manager in Liverpool's history, certainly the most decorated. Taking over from the legendary Bill Shankly can't have been easy, but he made it look like a stroll in the park.

Q - Qualifying

Liverpool now consistently qualify for Europe, be it the UEFA Cup or, much more regularly, the Champions League.

R - Roger Hunt

The highest league scorer in Liverpool's history with 245. Hunt was one of the first of the line of great Liverpool strikers, and was also a World Cup winner with England.

S - Shankly, Bill

The man who created the Liverpool super-power. He took over the Reds when they were struggling in Division Two, but took them to First Division success and, ultimately, European success.

T - The Boot Room

The infamous Boot Room of Liverpool. Men who knew the club better than anyone were involved in this and it spawned managers such as Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly and Joe Fagan.

U - Under-achieving

It's what they have been doing, especially in the league, for a number of years now. While they may have had spots of over-achieving as well, it is this that will stand out in their history.

V - Violence

Heysel Stadium in 1985. Whatever way you look at it, there was violence from Liverpool fans which ended in 39 deaths. It is a dark area in Liverpool's illustrious history.

W - We won it five times!

The Liverpool fans have been chanting this for four years now, ever since that historic night in Istanbul when Liverpool captured their fifth European Cup success.

X - Xavier, Abel

Thanks to Michael Griffin for suggesting this one on the Premier League A-Z. While not being quite as talented as other players on this list, he was the only one I could think of beginning with X!

Y - You'll Never Walk Alone

The club's anthem and motto. You'll Never Walk Alone is sung before every home game, and it can be a spine-tingling moment to hear the Liverpool faithful roar this tune.

Z - Zonal Marking

Liverpool have had criticism over their zonal marking strategies in the past, but Rafa Benitez still thinks it is the way to go.

So there you have your latest A-Z of the series! I hope you enjoyed it!