Liverpool shows its class with gesture to 14 players as Kenny Dalglish involved

Liverpool has honored 14 of its former players with retrospective league championship-winning medals, in recognition of their contributions to one of the club's record-equalling 20 league titles.

These specially commissioned medals, engraved with individual names and title-winning seasons, were created to celebrate the players' achievements in league-winning sides before the Premier League era started. The players had previously missed out on medals due to the English Football League's qualifying criteria in place at the time.

The club seized the opportunity to present the medals ahead of the Carabao Cup victory against Southampton at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-1 thanks to Hugo Ekitike's late winner.

The recipients included: Alan Kennedy (8 appearances 1985/86 season); David Fairclough (8 appearances 1982/83 season); David Hodgson (5 appearances 1983/84 season); Jan Molby (7 appearances 1987/88 season); Paul Walsh (8 appearances 1987/88 season); Ronny Rosenthal (8 appearances 1989/90 season); Terry McDermott (9 appearances 1975/76 season); John Wark (9 appearances in both 1983/84 and 1985/86 seasons) and Chris Lawler (6 appearances 1963/64 season), whose son collected on his behalf.

Four additional players who were unable to attend the ceremony have received their medals separately: Alec Linsday (6 appearances 1975/76 season); Colin Irwin (8 appearances 1979/80 season); Sammy Lee (7 appearances 1979/80 season) and Steve Heighway (9 appearances 1979/80 season).

A medal has also been posthumously presented to the family of Joey Jones for his 13 appearances in the 1975/76 season.

Liverpool legend, Sir Kenny Dalglish, now a non-executive director at the club, was present to hand out the medals alongside Jonathan Bamber, the club's chief legal and external affairs officer.

He expressed his delight at the occasion, stating: "We're thrilled to have been able to celebrate this occasion at Anfield.

"It was an emotional night for many and it's a real honour to have been able to source and present league championship winners' medals to our Forever Reds.

"Their role in winning one or in one case two of our twenty league titles deserve a medal not only to mark their achievement but also for playing such a significant part in our club's decorated history for which we are immensely grateful."

Liverpool will be hoping to dish out more championship medals come the end of this season, as the Premier League title race continues.

The Reds are currently second in the Premier League table, one point behind leader Arsenal and one point ahead of both Tottenham and Bournemouth.

Liverpool gave up a five-point lead in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

The Reds can get back to winning ways on Sunday, when they take on Manchester United at Anfield.

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