About this episode
Welcome to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this week’s episode, we turn our attention to Liverpool’s extraordinary journey through their history, culminating in Arne Slot’s Premier League title-winning side. Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper trace the club’s legacy from its early 20th-century triumphs to modern-day glory. They explore the tactical revolutions under legendary managers like Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, the brilliance of iconic players in Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, and the resurgence under Jürgen Klopp. The episode also highlights how Arne Slot has carried that legacy forward, building on the foundations laid by his predecessors. Where does the 2024/25 Liverpool title winners rank amongst the club's greatest ever teams? Get in touch with @ItWasPod on X to let us know! 00:00 Introduction to Liverpool's Journey 01:42 Early Liverpool Champions: 1901-1923 02:42 The Impact of Tom Watson 06:24 Liverpool's Defensive Strengths 07:46 Post-War Liverpool: Nutrition and Success 08:46 The Rise of Billy Liddell 10:17 Jack Balmer's Unlikely Heroics 15:20 Liverpool's First Five Titles 16:34 Bill Shankly's Legacy 20:55 Bob Paisley's Tactical Brilliance 26:18 Liverpool's Dominance in the Late 70s 27:12 Liverpool's Dominant Back Four 27:52 Dalglish vs. Keegan: Who's Better? 29:08 The Greatest Liverpool Side of All Time? 29:54 European Cup Draw and Unfortunate Knockout 33:29 Transition to the Kenny Dalglish Era 37:53 Impact of Hillsborough and the 1989 Season 41:55 Liverpool's Modern Era and Klopp's Influence 46:46 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.