“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.”

A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.

At a football club, there’s a holy trinity – the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the checks.

The best side drew (after a hard fought 1-1 draw)

What a great day for football, all we need is some green grass and a ball.

If you can’t support us when we lose or draw, don’t support us when we win

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.