Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Scott Somenthal
Guest(s)
Release Date
30 March 2023
Duration
59 min
In this triple-header episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Liverpool fan Scott Somethal to explore three eras of transformation — Sheffield FC’s origins (1866), RFC Liège’s legal revolution (1990–91), and the sublime footballing artistry of Liverpool 1987–88, one of the most dominant teams in British football history.
The 1987–88 Liverpool side, managed by Kenny Dalglish, embodied the perfect fusion of control, creativity, and chemistry. Having rebuilt the squad after the Heysel disaster and the departure of key players, Dalglish constructed a new Liverpool built on freedom and finesse. The arrivals of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, and John Aldridge transformed the Reds into a modern, fluid attacking unit that combined tactical intelligence with breathtaking flair.
Liverpool won the First Division title with weeks to spare, losing just twice all season and finishing nine points clear of Manchester United. Their football was irresistible — fast, fluid, and joyful. From Barnes’ dancing runs to Beardsley’s vision and Aldridge’s precision, every move felt choreographed yet spontaneous.
Dalglish’s tactical flexibility saw Liverpool interchange between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, depending on opposition and rhythm. Their passing patterns, rotations, and pressing intensity set a new standard for domestic football, influencing generations that followed.
Though their FA Cup Final defeat to Wimbledon denied them the Double, the 1987–88 season remains the defining example of English football’s beauty meeting dominance. Liverpool weren’t just winners — they were artists in motion.
Takeaways
Liverpool 1987–88 played some of the most elegant football ever seen in England.
Dalglish rebuilt the team into a modern attacking force.
Barnes, Beardsley, and Aldridge formed a revolutionary front three.
Their passing and movement redefined domestic tactics.
They remain the benchmark for fluid, intelligent football in Britain.
Liverpool 1987–1988: The Art of Perfection
The 1987–88 Liverpool side under Kenny Dalglish remain one of the most complete and graceful teams in English football history — a side that dominated the First Division with artistry, rhythm, and near-total control.
After the trauma of Heysel and the departure of established stars, Dalglish rebuilt Liverpool in his image: intelligent, expressive, and fearless. The arrivals of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, and John Aldridge transformed the team from efficient champions into entertainers.
Liverpool went unbeaten in their first 29 league games and won the title with weeks to spare, losing only twice all season. Their football was intoxicating — full of movement, one-touch passing, and attacking fluency that seemed years ahead of its time. Every player understood their role, yet freedom reigned within structure. Barnes tormented defenders with pace and trickery; Beardsley floated between lines as a creative fulcrum; Aldridge finished everything. Behind them, Hansen’s composure, Whelan’s drive, and McMahon’s energy formed a perfect spine.
Dalglish’s tactical shape shifted between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, built on understanding rather than rigidity. The result was football that felt natural, spontaneous — poetry in motion.
Though their dream of the Double was dashed by Wimbledon in the 1988 FA Cup Final, this Liverpool side’s beauty transcended results. They didn’t just win; they enchanted.
Liverpool 1987–88 remain the gold standard for domestic dominance fused with aesthetic brilliance — a reminder that greatness is not only measured in trophies, but in how a team makes the game feel.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Kenny Dalglish’s post-Heysel rebuild and tactical reinvention
Key signings: Barnes, Beardsley, Aldridge
The dominance of the 1987–88 First Division campaign
The style, swagger, and unity of Dalglish’s Liverpool
The legacy and heartbreak of the 1988 FA Cup Final
John Barnes’ solo goal vs QPR
Beardsley and Aldridge’s lethal link-up play
Winning the 1987–88 First Division title with weeks to spare
The 29-game unbeaten run to start the season
The 1988 FA Cup Final upset by Wimbledon
The “Poetry in Motion” nickname capturing their fluid brilliance
Notable Manager
Kenny Dalglish
Notable Players
John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, John Aldridge, Steve Nicol, Alan Hansen, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Steve McMahon, Bruce Grobbelaar, Gary Gillespie, Nigel Spackman, Craig Johnston
Style of Play
4-3-3 Formation, Fluid Attacking Movement, Positional Rotation, Possession Control, Pressing Triggers, Intelligent Transitions
Liverpool 1987–88 were the embodiment of attacking poetry — precision and freedom intertwined. Under Kenny Dalglish, they played with fluidity and intelligence that transcended formations, oscillating between a 4-4-2 diamond and a 4-3-3 hybrid built on movement and mutual understanding.
Dalglish’s philosophy prioritised balance: build patiently, move collectively, and exploit space through intelligent rotation. The defence, marshalled by Alan Hansen and Gary Gillespie, provided composure and passing lanes, allowing Liverpool to construct attacks from the back. Ronnie Whelan and Steve McMahon anchored midfield with energy and control, while Ray Houghton drifted inside to overload central areas.
The attack was Liverpool’s masterpiece. John Barnes provided width and flair, capable of beating defenders with ease or cutting inside to create. Peter Beardsley, a roaming false nine before the term existed, linked play between lines, while John Aldridge poached with ruthless precision. Their movement confused defences and created endless triangles — football played at tempo, with touch and telepathy.
Liverpool’s pressing was calculated, not frantic — a first wave triggered by Beardsley, supported by midfield compression. Their transitions were elegant rather than explosive, controlling rhythm and suffocating opponents through possession and geometry.
In short, Dalglish’s Liverpool were the perfect blend of art and order. Every goal felt choreographed; every pass, purposeful. Their football was proof that domination could be beautiful.
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