Andy Beattie, Bill Shankly’s former team-mate at Preston told Shankly repeatedly that Keegan was going to be a fantastic player. After such a constant appraisal from his friend, Shankly relented and signed the player. Four days before the start of the 1971-72, Shankly picked Keegan in a training match at Melwood. The legend goes that Keegan impressed so much that Shankly had little choice but to give the player his debut against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on the opening day of the season. He scored after 12 minutes and after scoring 3 in 5 league games, it was clear to all a talent had emerged. He formed a potent attacking partnership with John Toshack which helped Liverpool to 3 League championships, a European Cup and two UEFA Cups.
