On August 20, 1961, Steve McMahon was born in Liverpool. Today, the former English international turns 65, providing a great occasion to celebrate one of those players who may not always feature prominently in the narrative of Liverpool's golden 1980s, but who was absolutely crucial for the balance of one of the club's best teams ever.
When you think of Liverpool from the latter half of the 1980s, names like Ian Rush, John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, and Kenny Dalglish quickly come to mind. But in the midfield, you found Steve McMahon – tough, uncompromising, hardworking, and at the same time a much better footballer than his reputation as a physical midfielder might suggest.
From Everton to the Red side of Liverpool
The story becomes even more interesting given that McMahon actually began his career with Liverpool's local rivals, Everton. He was even a ball boy for the club as a child before working his way up to the first team, playing 100 league games for Everton.
Liverpool had shown interest in him early on, but McMahon was unwilling at that time to switch directly between the two rivals. Instead, he moved to Aston Villa in 1983.
Two years later, however, the time had come.
In September 1985, Liverpool paid around £350,000 for McMahon, who also became Kenny Dalglish's first signing after the Scot took over as player-manager.
It proved to be quite a masterstroke.
Success from the first season
Already in his first season at Anfield, McMahon helped win the Double. Liverpool claimed both the English championship and the FA Cup in 1985/86, even though McMahon was not yet a regular starter and began the FA Cup final against Everton on the bench.
His first Liverpool goal could hardly have been written better. It came at Goodison Park against none other than Everton, just weeks after his move to Liverpool.
Eventually, his importance grew significantly.
Liverpool had lost Graeme Souness in 1984, and replacing one of Europe's most complete and formidable midfielders was no small task. McMahon didn't become a copy of Souness, but he gave Liverpool some of the same aggression, intensity, and desire to dominate the central area of the pitch.
At the same time, he could play football.
He had an eye for a pass, could drive the ball forward, and wasn't afraid to shoot from distance. 50 goals in 277 official Liverpool games clearly demonstrate that McMahon was considerably more than just the man to win tackles.
The engine of one of Liverpool's best teams
Steve McMahon's perhaps very best period came in the fantastic Liverpool team of 1987/88.
Kenny Dalglish had John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, John Aldridge, and Ray Houghton at his disposal in an attacking team that played some of the most beautiful football Anfield had ever seen. Liverpool began the league season with 29 games undefeated and ended as champions with 90 points after only two defeats in 40 matches.
Behind the attacking artists, McMahon was a perfect contrast.
He won balls, covered areas, and ensured that the more creative players could focus on hurting the opposition. But he was also offensively involved himself, scoring nine league goals in the championship season.
Official Liverpool history precisely highlights his combination of hard tackling and good passing as a perfect complement to the club's attacking stars.
It was also at this time that some of the most iconic Liverpool football shirts were worn at Anfield. The classic red Adidas shirts from the late 1980s with Crown Paints on the chest are for many Liverpool fans synonymous with Barnes, Beardsley, Rush – and Steve McMahon.
Today, these very Liverpool retro shirts from this period are among the shirts that instantly bring back memories of a team that dominated English football.
Three championships and two FA Cups
McMahon ultimately won three English championships with Liverpool: 1985/86, 1987/88, and 1989/90.
In addition, there were FA Cup triumphs in 1986 and 1989. In the 1989 final, McMahon played a direct role, setting up John Aldridge's early opening goal in Liverpool's 3-2 victory after extra time against Everton.
When Liverpool won the championship again in 1989/90, McMahon was still an important part of the team. He played 38 league games and scored five goals in the season, where Liverpool secured the club's 18th English championship.
Bob Paisley perhaps best described McMahon's importance:
“When Steve McMahon plays well, I always think that Liverpool will play well.”
These were big words about a big player.
A player made for his time
McMahon left Liverpool for Manchester City on Christmas Eve 1991. This ended a little over six years at Anfield with 277 appearances and 50 goals.
He had been a central figure in the last great Liverpool generation before the club's long wait for another English championship began.
Today, when you see the old photos and Liverpool retro football shirts from the 1980s, it's easy to focus on the biggest attacking stars. But Steve McMahon represented at least as much the Liverpool of that era: quality, aggression, a winning mentality, and an utterly uncompromising approach to the task.
He wasn't always the player who appeared most prominently on the posters.
He was simply one of those you wouldn't want to be without on the pitch.
And for those who love Liverpool football shirts, Liverpool retro shirts, and the stories of the players who wore them, Steve McMahon is one of the central figures from one of the most iconic periods in the club's history.
Happy 65th birthday to Steve McMahon.
