August 16, 1950
For their visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the opening match of the season, on Saturday, Liverpool will field the same side as that which did duty in last week’s practice match.
This means that Fagan will lead the forward line. As Albert Stubbins is only in his second week of training, while the rest of the Anfield players have nearly six weeks of it, the board felt that it would be wiser to let Stubbins have another week’s preparation before coming into the side.
Taylor, hat-trick exponent in the practice, will continue at inside right, with Jones at right half, and Hughes as pivot.
Liverpool will travel overnight, making their headquarters at their usual Bridgenorth hotel.
Wolverhampton are also early in the field with their selected side, though there is a doubt about outside right, where final choice will rest between Dunn or Smith. Johnny Hancocks, who is still unsigned, is, of course, a non-starter, and Sammy Smyth is not thoroughly fit following a minor operation.
Liverpool could hardly have had a harder fixture to begin their programme, but they have usually done well at the Molineux ground – they have not yet been beaten there since the war in a League match, having won two and drawn two – and they may preserve this record.
Teams:
Liverpool. – Cyril Sidlow, Ray Lambert, Eddie Spicer, Bill Jones, Laurie Hughes, Bob Paisley, Jimmy Payne, Phil Taylor, Willie Fagan, Jack Balmer, Billy Liddell.
Wolves. – Bart Williams, Gus McLean, Bill Shorthouse, Billy Crook, Ray Chatham, Billy Wright, Jimmy Dunn or Les Smith, Johnny Walker, Roy Swinbourne, Jesse Pye, Jimmy Mullen.
Kevin Baron, also a practice hat-trick specialist, and Bill Shepherd travel with Liverpool as reserves.
The Central League side, home to Leeds United Reserves, will be:
Ray Minshull, George Whitworth, Steve Parr, Jack Heydon, Joe Cadden, Frank Christie, Billy Watkinson, Sam Shields, Cyril Done, Jack Haigh, Ken Brierley.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: August 16, 1950)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 