From The Echo
Three Liverpool legends have been inducted into the European Hall of Fame at last nightâs highly prestigious National Football Museum awards dinner in the city.
Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan and Bob Paisley have been selected in a 10-strong list of the greatest players and managers based on their achievements in European competitions.
The list is completed by George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson, John Charles and Sir Matt Busby.
A host of stars will arrive in the city for the event, including UEFA president Michel Platini, who will receive an all-time great European footballer award.
The ceremony will honour the achievements of the Reds trio who enjoyed such remarkable success.
Dalglish, who netted the winner in the 1978 final at Wembley against Bruges, won the European Cup three times during his glittering Anfield career.
The Scot has for years been widely acclaimed as the greatest player to ever pull on the clubâs shirt â but insists he is indebted to his team-mates for the Redsâ European triumphs in 1978, 1981 and 1984.
âIâll be receiving this honour as an individual but I didnât win as an individual, I did that as part of a team,â he said.
âThe organisers obviously want to give someone recognition for the success Liverpool had during that time and Iâm fortunate to have been chosen.
âIâm grateful for that but Iâm even more grateful for the people I played alongside who made it all possible.â
Dalglish is delighted the selection panel have handed Paisley and Keegan the honour.
Former Liverpool boss Paisley remains the only man in history to coach three European Cup winning sides.
As well as achieving the ultimate European accolade in 1977, 1978 and 1981, he led the Reds to glory in the 1976 UEFA Cup.
Dalglish was signed by Paisley to replace Keegan who left to join Hamburg in 1977 but only after helping Liverpool win their first European Cup with a 3-1 final win over Borussia Moenchengladbach in Rome.
Keegan went on to reach a final with Hamburg and was twice crowned European Footballer of the Year.
âBob was the greatest of them all,â Dalglish said. He had great football knowledge and I owe Bob more than I owe anybody else in the game.
âBut also donât underestimate what Kevin Keegan achieved.
âHe was instrumental in getting Liverpoolâs first European Cup success in 1977 and was also very influential for Hamburg.
âIn fact, Iâm probably the least deserving of the three of us!â
Dalglish will attend the event at the BT Convention Centre and Paisleyâs award will be accepted tonight by his son Graham.
Manchester United boss Ferguson will be there and Reds great John Barnes will read out a statement on behalf of Sir Bobby Robson who is seriously ill, but Keegan and Charlton wonât be attending.
The night will also mark the 30-year anniversary of Liverpoolâs European Cup winning side of 1978. Dalglish will be joined by former team-mates including Phil Neal, Phil Thompson and David Fairclough.
In collaboration with the Echo, Reds and Blues fans have voted for their favourite European performer. Those awards will go to Steven Gerrard and Neville Southall.
The National Football Museum holds a Hall of Fame dinner every year but this special European themed event is the museumâs contribution to Liverpoolâs Capital of Culture celebrations.
The legends honoured were chosen by an expert panel including Sir Tom Finney, Sir Trevor Brooking, Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Mark Lawrenson.
Logged
