August 31, 1945
Liverpool will be bridging six years at Anfield tomorrow, for their team against Burnley looks pretty much the same as it did in those brief moments of league football we had in 1939. Only four of the 15 players from whom the directors, at their pre-match meeting, will select their team are acquisitions since war broke out, and the only guest is Jeff Gulliver, of Reading.
What a reception these old favourites will get when they trot out to try and complete their first “double” of the season. On papers the Liverpool side looks good enough for anything and I am looking forward to seeing once again that familiar switch between Fagan, Taylor and Balmer which so upset most defences in the pre-war days. The quick spotting of the open space and the dove-tailing rather than being slaves to one position is just the thing to upset one of the north’s best defensive centre half-backs, Woodruff.
With Nieuwenhuys and Liddell making their first home appearance of the season I think we should have a feast of immaculate forward work from the Reds.
Burnley lack the experience of Liverpool although being quite a useful side, but whoever plays right back for Liverpool – Ramsden or Westby – will know that he needs to be right on his toes to hold Kippax, the amateur left-winger, who did so well in the red jersey on Wednesday. They must watch for that deceptive in-swerve of Kippax or they will find themselves in “Queer Street.”
At outside-right for Burnley will be our old friend Tommy Gardner, who was brought to the front by Liverpool and who rose to play for England, while Drury, of Arsenal may be at inside left.
Burnley make several changes from last week, and Shreeve, of Charlton, will be at right back; Ancell, of Dundee, at left half; and Hold, of Aldershot, leading the attack.
Liverpool (from): Alf Hobson, Bernard Ramsden, Jack Westby, Jeff Gulliver, Harry Kaye, Tom Bush, Jack Pilling, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan, Jack Balmer, Billy Liddell, Harry Eastham.
Burnley: Jimmy Strong, Jack Shreeve, Donald Innard, Rudman, Arthur Woodruff, Bobby Ancell, Tommy Gardner, Ken Crowther, Oscar Hold, George Drury, Peter Kippax.
(Source: Evening Express: August 31, 1945; via http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) © 2018 Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 