Reds to honour Shankly landmark

Liverpool will use Wednesday's home match against Wigan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of legendary manager Bill Shankly taking over at the club.

Monday marks the date when the Scot officially began work as Reds boss.

And with the match against the Latics the nearest Anfield fixture to the 50th anniversary of Shankly's first game in charge - a 4-0 home defeat by Cardiff on December 19 1959 - the club will mark the occasion.

It is expected that members of Shankly's family and former players will be invited to the game, with a host of famous names expected to be involved in a ceremony on the pitch.

Current manager Rafael Benitez and a host of ex-players have spoken of their admiration for Shankly, who signed the likes of Ian St John, Ron Yeats, Ray Clemence, John Toshack and Kevin Keegan.

"Everybody knows he is one of the best managers ever because he changed the club," said Benitez.

"Others may have won more trophies, but Shankly was the man who changed everything."

Keegan, who saw his former manager as something of a father figure, said: "Apart from my parents, Bill was the most important person in my life.

"He brought me to the club, he believed in me and he inspired me. My first meeting with him changed my life forever."

On Thursday Shankly will be honoured by the City of Liverpool when he is made an Honorary Citizen in recognition of his outstanding contribution not just to football but to the whole community.

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