Post Past by Sean Joseph Liverpool upporter, Daily Post
THE footballing phrase 'ghosting in' could have coined specifically for Ray Kennedy.
It took the Liverpool midfielder just 75 seconds against Birmingham at St Andrews back in September 1977 to prove his uncanny knack of arriving in the box at the right time to score.
In a one-sided Liverpool performance, that Kennedy goal was all that was needed to take the three points.
Ian Callaghan's free-kick into the box was met by a downward header from Kennedy, who ghosted in at the far post and gave the European champions a 1-0 victory.
It was another example of why Bob Paisley said the Seaton Delaval-born midfielder was one of Liverpool's greatest ever players and why all Liverpool fans thought so highly of the elegant performer.
A former bustling centre-forward with Arsenal, notably during their Double year in 1971, Kennedy was Bill Shank-ly's final signing on the very day of the Scotman's shock resignation in July
1974. Liverpool paid a then record fee of £180,000 to the Gunners for Kennedy and Paisley made that look a bargain once he helped him lose a couple of stone in weight and converted the north easterner from attack to left-sided midfielder.
He made 393 appearances for Liverpool from 1974 until his £160,000 move to John Toshack's Swansea in 1982, helping the club to five champion-ships, three European Cups, one UEFA Cup and one League Cup, as well as appearing for England on 17 occasions.
He was both powerful and deft of touch. He had an eye for picking out team-mates with an astute pass from his cultured left foot, like his lofted ball to David Fair-clough for the famous third goal against St Etienne in the 1977 European Cup quarter-final.
But his ability to score vital goals made him a valuable member of many of the greatest sides in the club's history.
Kennedy scored 72 goals for Liverpool, so many of the highest quality.
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