May 22, 1945
Liverpool put up a gallant fight to win the League Championship, but the dice were loaded against them at Derby County yesterday, and the Rams, by winning 1-0, made sure of the title.
Everything seemed to run against the Reds, for Willie Fagan was not able to play, and Jeff Gulliver was injured. The captain, Berry Nieuwenhuys, despite cuts above and below his right eye, turned out at left back.
After seven minutes Laurie Hughes so severely injured an ankle that he became a passenger on the wing, with Harry Kaye at centre-half and Phil Taylor at right half. This depleted out indomitable force faced an attack containing four internationals in Sammy Crooks, Raich Carter, Peter Doherty and Dally Duncan, and yet it was not until the last 10 minutes that Doherty managed to break down a defence inspired by Nieuwenhuys.
Horace Cumner and Les Shannon had goals disallowed on a day when the fates were against Liverpool. The Reds, however, have never gained more glory and the Derby officials themselves were lavish in their praises.
The result means that although the County win the title, Merseyside supplies the runners-up, for Everton are now level with Liverpool on points for they defeated Tranmere Rovers 4-1 at Goodison Park yesterday to win the Liverpool Cup.
(Evening Express: May 22, 1945)
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