Liverpool Unveil Statue Honoring Bob Paisley

Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

LFC have honored legendary manager Bob Paisley with a bronze statue at Anfield.

Where Bill Shankly is often credited with establishing the heartbeat of Liverpool Football Club, Bob Paisley might rightly be credited as being the soul of it. And, today, the club have unveiled a new statue at Anfield commemorating the physio turned manager who took Liverpool to unprecedented new heights.

Six league trophies and 3 European Cups, among other accolades, Bob Paisley is roundly regarded as among the winningest coaches in European football history. In terms of European championships, only Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane have amassed as many. And over the relatively short tenure - 9 seasons at the helm - I don’t think any coach in the modern era can hold a candle to what Paisley did with Liverpool. (Coincidentally, Red Auerbach’s Boston Celtics might be the best non-football analog to Paisley’s Reds.)

The statue, sculpted by artist Andy Edwards, depicts an iconic photo from 1968 where, during his days as the club physio, Paisley carried an injured Emlyn Hughes off the pitch. Evoking the You’ll Never Walk Alone spirit, it feels more than appropriate that this is how Paisley be immortalized at Anfield.

The statue is placed at Paisley Square and its commissioning was sponsored by LFC shirt sponsor, Standard Chartered.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com