“Tommy Smith wasn’t born, he was quarried.”

I’ve had many skilful men and the likes of Peter Thompson, Ian St John, Kevin Keegan and Steve Heighway were the ones who caught the eye. But the best professional of the lot was Gerry Byrne.

I never drop a player I only make changes.

I’ve been a slave to football. It follows you home, it follows you everywhere, and eats into your family life. But every working man misses out on some things because of his job.

Just go out and drop a few hand grenades all over the place, son. (to Kevin Keegan)

The problem with you, son, is that all your brains are in your head. (to a Liverpool trainee)

He wasn’t flashy and he wouldn’t score you goals. But he was hard and skilful and gave you everything he had. More than that he was totally honest.

Football (soccer) is a matter of life and death, except more important.

I have been received more warmly by Everton than I have by Liverpool. It is scandalous that I should have to write these things about the club that I helped build into what it is today.

I don’t drop players. I make changes.

It’s to remind our lads who they’re playing for, and to remind the opposition who they’re playing against. (on the ‘This Anfield’ plaque)

I wanted Liverpool to be untouchable. My idea was to build Liverpool up and up until eventually everyone would have to submit and give in.

If you are first you are first. If you are second, you are nothing.

If a man….who’s playing in front of the public, is being well paid, and he doesn’t dedicate himself to the job, I’d be hard on him. If I could I would put him in jail, out of the road of society. Because he’s a menace

Football is a simple game based on the giving and taking of passes, of controlling the ball and of making yourself available to receive a pass. It is terribly simple.

I was the best manager in Britain because I was never devious or cheated anyone. I’d break my wife’s legs if I played against her, but I’d never cheat her.

Me having no education. I had to use my brains.