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At number 42 in our '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' countdown is midfield hard-man of the great late-eighties team, Steve McMahon.
Four years after our ground-breaking '100 Days That Shook The Kop', we are delighted to invite you to enjoy our new '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' series – the definitive countdown of the 100 players who have made the biggest impact at Liverpool.
Over 110,000 supporters have all nominated their own personal Top 10 players in order of impact made and now the definitive top 100 countdown is underway.
Every player who has made the top 100 – and there are some surprises in there - will be honoured on this website via the e-Season ticket console with a specially produced video clip, including archive footage and exclusive interviews.
Since 1892 hundreds of players have represented this club but everyone has their own particular favourites so don't expect this list to be based solely on talent. The greatness of a player can be measured in many ways – obviously, his ability on the pitch is the most important, but 100 PWSTK is much more than that. It's about the impact the individuals chosen have had on this club, be it for a variety of reasons. Maybe it was because of their unique rapport with the crowd, a specific incident that has never been forgotten or anything else that has left a lasting impression.
Name: Steve McMahon
Years at Liverpool: 1985 to 1991
Position: Midfield
Date-of-birth: 20/8/1961
Birthplace: Liverpool
Signed from: Aston Villa (September 1983)
Games: 276
Goals: 50
Honours: First Division Championship (1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90), FA Cup (1989), Charity Shield (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990), ScreenSport Cuper Cup (1986/87)
Halewood-born Steve McMahon was Kenny Dalglish's first signing as Liverpool manager in September 1985 and what an inspired acquisition it proved to be. A former Everton ball boy, who graduated through the ranks at Goodison to captain the Blues during the early eighties, McMahon's signature was first sought after by the Reds two years previous. Not wanting to risk the wrath of the Evertonians he opted instead to join Aston Villa but failed to settle in the Midlands and, a month into Liverpool's momentous double winning season of 85/86, Kenny Dalglish paid £350,000 to acquire his services. A fine striker of the ball, he scored many memorable goals during his time at Anfield and in one of his early games for the Reds famously hit the back of the net in a memorable 3-2 Merseyside derby success. Although he at first he vied with Kevin McDonald for a regular first team place at Anfield, making 23 appearances as the League and FA Cup was won, his combative midfield play was something Liverpool had lacked since the departure of Graeme Souness and the following season saw him fully establish himself in the number eleven shirt. With quality players around him, McMahon excelled. Strong in the tackle and a fine passer of the ball, he was a born winner who'd stamped his authority on games. His most effective season in a red shirt was probably the unforgettable 1987/88 campaign when he was instrumental in our 17th title triumph. According to TV commentator Brian Moore, on the 1988 hit record the 'Anfield Rap', his talents even stretched to rapping but there was no doubt Steve McMahon was a much better footballer than rapper. Deserved international recognition also came his way and after winning another championship medal in 1990 he was selected in Bobby Robson's World Cup squad for Italia '90. Injury forced him to miss half of the 1990/91 season and following the arrival of Graeme Souness as boss later that year McMahon's days at Anfield were numbered. Manchester City agreed to pay £900,000 for him, and at the time it seemed good business for a 30-year old. However, finding a replacement was not easy and, to this day, Liverpudlians still speak about how one of this club's finest ever central midfielders was allowed to leave the club too soon.
Sold to: Manchester City (1991)
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