100PWSTK: 19. Kevin Keegan

Date of birth: February 14, 1951
Place of birth: Armthorpe
Nationality: English
Position: Forward
Years at the club: 1971-77
Signed from: Scunthorpe
Left for: Hamburg
Position in 2006 poll: 8 

One half of a phenomenal strike partnership with John Toshack, a genuine national superstar of the 1970s and among the club's most famous No.7s: Kevin Keegan left an indelible mark during his six seasons as a Liverpool forward.

Combining skill, bravery, finishing and surprising aerial prowess for a diminutive stature, Keegan notched a century of goals for the Reds and spearheaded the second great team of Bill Shankly's Anfield tenure.

With concerns over Ian Callaghan's fitness at the outset of the decade, Kevin was actually recruited as a potential midfield replacement but caught the eye in a more advanced position during pre-season alongside Toshack.

Shankly persevered with the unorthodox pairing when the real action kicked off, reaping the rewards fully in Keegan's second campaign on Merseyside. 22 goals in all competitions aided the club's championship triumph and included a brace in the victorious UEFA Cup final against Borussia Monchengladbach.

With Toshack providing the bruising work ahead of him, Keegan was the creative pivot in that Liverpool team; he knocked home a fine double in the memorable 1974 FA Cup final win over Newcastle.The England international had arrived at Anfield with a shortage of confidence in his own ability but Shankly moulded the forward into arguably the most accomplished player in his position in the country during that period.

Keegan paid back his boss handsomely in 1975-76, finding the net 16 times en route to a second First Division title and another UEFA Cup - including another strike in the final of the latter competition.

A shock was around the corner, however. Keen to experience continental football, that summer Kevin informed Liverpool of his intention to leave the club and join Hamburg following the conclusion of the 1976-77 campaign.

The Kop felt betrayed and the announcement heralded a difficult season for Keegan, although he nevertheless registered 20 goals and claimed a hat-trick of league winner's medals.

It was his virtuoso performance in the 1977 European Cup final, though, which ensured that any ill feeling would eventually be forgotten. He tormented Gladbach once again on that evening in Rome, forcing the penalty which sealed a 3-1 victory and said farewell in the perfect fashion. 

Appearances: 323
Goals: 100
Honours with LFC: 1 European Cup (1976-77), 3 First Division titles (1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77), 1 FA Cup (1973-74), 2 UEFA Cups (1972-73, 1975-76)
Did you know? Keegan once released a pop song, 'Head Over Heels in Love', which reached No.31 in the UK charts
Where is he now? A former manager and now TV pundit