Wednesday, August 7 – 1968
Three members of Liverpool’s first team pool of players missed yesterday’s full scale practice game at Anfield behind closed doors.
They were goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, centre forward Tony Hateley and full back Gerry Byrne, all having treatment for injuries.
But manager Bill Shankly expects only Byrne to be out of the reckoning when he settles down to name his team for the opening match against Manchester City.
Byrne is coming along exceptionally well from his knee operation but it will be a week or so before he can move into full training.
Lawrence (thigh strain) and Hateley (ankle injury) should be 100 per cent in a day or so.
Mr. Shankly said the team which finished the game against Hull City last Friday played the reserves yesterday, which means that Ray Clemence was in goal and Bobby Graham who scored two goals at Hull led the attack.
Graham pointer.
Changes were made in the reserves at half-time to give more players a competitive match, but the significant feature of the first team choice was that Graham retained the centre forward spot in place of Hateley rather than Alf Arrowsmith.
This could be taken as a clue that if Mr. Shankly decides not to risk Hateley on Saturday if there was any doubt of his fitness. Graham would most likely play.
There is no doubt that attacking line-up of Callaghan, Hunt, Graham and Thompson, with St John and Hughes in midfield, played impressively at Hull and also yesterday.
(Liverpool Echo, 07-08-1968)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 