Chairman John Smith First Division 2nd League Cup Runners-up | Manager Bob Paisley FA Cup Third Round European Cup Winners | |
It was to be a season of contrasts for Liverpool F.C. as they retained the European Cup, following a 1–0 victory against Club Brugge in the final at Wembley in London and winning the European Super Cup by beating Hamburg, who included Kevin Keegan in their side Seven-One on aggregate with a Six-Nil Second Leg win at Anfield.
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However, in both the Football League and the Football League Cup they would end as runners-up to newly promoted Nottingham Forest managed by Brian Clough. The replay of the Football League Cup Final would prove very controversial with a penalty which decided the match, followed by a disallowed goal when it was adjudged that Terry McDermott handled the ball.
It was to be a season when Bob Paisley pulled a masterstroke by buying Kenny Dalglish from Celtic for a British Record Transfer Fee between British Clubs for £440,000. Dalglish responded with a spectacular season, scoring 20 in the league and 31 in all competitions, including the winner in the European Cup Final and realising that Ian Callaghan was nearing the end of his career at Liverpool, spent £352,000 on Graeme Souness from Middlesbrough.
However, Ian Callaghan's final season started with a call up to the England squad, and would play in the match against Switzerland on 7 September 1977 under new manager Ron Greenwood. It was to be his first cap since playing in the 1966 FIFA World Cup finals against France.
Terry McDermott's emergence would also see him make his debut in the same match with Ray Clemence, Phil Neal, Emlyn Hughes and Ray Kennedy also playing as well. Kevin Keegan also played in the match, making it seven current and former Liverpool players in that game.