April 21, 1894
Liverpool’s last League match with Burslem Port Vale was characterised by anything brilliant. Certainly the Anfield lot won, but the score of two to one does not correctly show the relative strengths of the two teams.
Somehow or another the team has been going but moderately of late, and it is to be hoped that indifference of laxity is but of a temporary nature, and that when the match of the season comes off at Ewood Park the Anfield brigade will be themselves again, which, if they are bodes no good for their opponents.
The general fault lies with the forwards, who have fallen off their game completely, and caused many caustic remarks to be made, both at Burslem at home, as to the incomprehensibility and wonderment of how the Liverpool team won the championship, and especially to do so undefeated.
At no time has the team excelled in this compartment, and what with the little friction between some of the players and the committee about New Year time, and the subsequent inability of others, the whole front rank has been thoroughly disorganised. However, Mr Barclay, with his usual long-headedness had decided to return to the original formation of the “forwards;” and with the men in strict training at Hightown, an improvement and much better show is a “sine qui non”.
There are rumours that Leslie Hewitt Gay, the international Corinthian, has been registered as a League player for Liverpool and in all probability will play in the test match. His presence will undoubtedly strengthen what has of late been a rather shaky spot, and I would suggest, failing him, to put M. McQueen between the sticks, as being a much more reliable man than McOwen.
(Cricket and football Field: April 21, 1894)
Leslie Hewitt Gay, Corinthians F.C. linked with Liverpool (Lloyd’s Weekly News: December 3, 1893):
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 