10 August 1974

The 1974-75 season kicked off with a curtain raiser that would be somewhat lacking in the charity aspect of the Shield contest between Leeds and Liverpool.

The clash was technically Bill Shankly's last match in charge but it would be best remembered for a variety of reasons, none more so than the sensational dismissals of both Billy Bremner and Kevin Keegan following a bust-up on the hour mark.

It was a disappointing way to mark the first Charity Shield match to be played at Wembley but one that did not altogether dampen the enthusiasm for an action packed affair that was decided by a penalty shoot-out.

The Reds had made the better start and deservedly took the lead on 19 minutes when Phil Boersma - in for the injured John Toshack -  pounced to fire home the loose ball after David Harvey failed to gather Keegan's testing cross-cum-shot.

But as the game progressed into the second period Leeds pushed for an equaliser and 10 minutes after the double dismissal they ensured the match would be settled by spot-kicks when Trevor Cherry flicked Peter Lorimer's cross over Ray Clemence.

It had been standard practice for sides to share the Shield in the event of a draw but on this occasion it was to be decided by penalties. After 10 flawless kicks the shoot-out went into sudden death.

Ian Callaghan stepped up to give the Reds a 6-5 lead leaving all the pressure on Harvey. The Leeds man failed to convert his kick ensuring that Shank's last game in charge ended with a trophy.

Speaking a few days after the match new boss Bob Paisley lamented the loss of Kevin Keegan to a lengthy ban following his dismissal and hoped that the spotlight would now move away from the latest Reds manager on to the players.

He said: "The incident with Kevin Keegan tends to hide the fact that the team has played some excellent football in our pre-season matches.

"I'm convinced that plenty of notice in the papers for the players, particularly at this pre-season stage, helps to get them motivated.

"I've always regarded it as an important part of the preparations for the season.

"But the managerial change at Anfield has dominated the scene so much that our players have had to take second place.

"It is understandable but I'm still sorry that it has been so because it is the players who matter.

"I hope now, that from today, the players will take centre stage.

"Without them the club is nothing."