21 April 1962

When Bill Shankly signed Ron Yeats in July 1961, he claimed with astonishing certainty that the centre-back would lead Liverpool back into the topflight of English football.

Within 12 months, the legendary manager was proved right.

With the seemingly impassable Yeats wearing the captain's armband and new record signing Ian St John terrorising defences up and down the country, the Reds won the Division Two title at a canter.

The pair, who cost a combined total of £59,500, made their league debuts in a 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers as Liverpool embarked on an 11-game unbeaten start to the campaign.

Among the scalps were Leeds United, who were on the thick end of a 5-0 drubbing at Anfield. Another star of the 1961-62 team, Roger Hunt, bagged a hat-trick on the day.

The England striker would go on to net 42 in all competitions during the campaign as he developed a fearsome partnership with St John, who himself claimed 22 goals.

Liverpool hit five on no fewer than six occasions, including an incredible 5-4 against Norwich witnessed by 35,576 at Anfield. Ever the perfectionist, the aftermath saw Shanks overhaul his defence, with Gerry Byrne replacing John Molyneux at left-back and Ronnie Moran coming in on the right. Unsurprisingly, the decision proved inspired, with just seven goals conceded in the next 10 games.

The 1961-62 season saw Ian Callaghan, who'd go on to become the club's record appearance holder, score his first LFC goal in a 3-1 victory at Preston North End's Deepdale. Other prominent members of Shankly's first great side were Alan A'Court, Byrne, Jimmy Melia and Gordon Milne, all of whom were ever-presents as the Reds finally bounced back to Division One.

Promotion was confirmed with five games remaining thanks to a 2-0 win over Southampton. Forward Kevin Lewis, only in the side because of a suspicion to St John, was the two-goal hero on the day.

Eight years after Don Welsh oversaw one of the darkest days in the club's history, Liverpool were back were they belonged.

The success that followed over the next 30 years as the Reds conquered Europe would not have been possible without the heroics of the historic 1961-62 season.