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Paul Walsh
Signed by Joe Fagan from Luton Town for £700,000 in 1984 Walsh came to Liverpool with a good reputation having just been voted PFA Young Player of the Year.
Walsh took just 14 seconds to make an impression to the Anfield crowd when he scored on his home debut in a 3-0 win over West Ham United. Ian Rush was injured for the first 10 games of the 1984/85 season so Walsh had the burden of leading the line as the main striker alongside Kenny Dalglish. It quickly became apparent that Walsh was seen as the long term replacement for Dalglish as his style was more of a creator than an out and out goal scorer.
The following season with Kenny Dalglish appointed as player-manager Walsh would play a vital role in the treble success. On October 14th 1985 Walsh's fortunes turned for the better. With Rush injured Dalglish gave Walsh the chance he craved and he took it by scoring twice in a 3-2 Anfield win over his former club Luton Town.
Dalglish then decided to give Walsh and Rush a chance to blossom and they quickly formed a good understanding. Unfortunately injury set in and Walsh went off early with an ankle problem in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United in February 1986. That left Walsh on the sidelines and despite returning to fitness couldn't get back into the team for the run-in to the double success. Dalglish picked himself to great effect as Liverpool beat Everton twice for honours in the league and FA Cup.
Some bad injuries meant that Walsh's starts were limited and he left anfield to return suth to Tottenham.
He returned with Spurs to Anfield on the day that Liverpool clinched the title with a Beardsley goal. With the Kop packed to the rafters the welcome given to Walsh that day told its own story and is something the player will never forget, as cries of 'There's only one Paul Walsh' rang around Anfield from all sides of the ground.
After leaving Tottenham in 1993 Walsh was to have a spell with Manchester City and then with Portsmouth where he was captain. Unfortunately knee damage ended his career in 1996, but Walsh's legendary status amongst Liverpool fans will never be forgotten.
