View source for Billy Liddell

{{Short description|Scottish footballer (1922–2001)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Billy Liddell
| image = Billy Liddell.jpg
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| full_name = William Beveridge Liddell<ref>{{Hugman|11697|access-date=21 May 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1922|1|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Townhill, Fife|Townhill]], Fife, Scotland
| death_date = {{death date and age|2001|07|03|1922|01|10|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Liverpool]], England
| height = 
| position = [[Midfielder#Winger|Winger]]
| youthyears1 = 1936–1937
| youthyears2 = 1937–1938
| youthclubs1 = Kingseat Juveniles
| youthclubs2 = Lochgelly Violet F.C.
| years1 = 1938–1961
| clubs1 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| caps1 = 492
| goals1 = 215
| nationalyears1 = 
| nationalteam1 = Scotland Schoolboys
| nationalcaps1 = 
| nationalgoals1 = 
| nationalyears2 = 1941–1942
| nationalteam2 = [[The Football League|English League XI]]
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 1942–1946
| nationalteam3 = → [[Scotland national football team results (unofficial matches)#World War II|Scotland]] (wartime)
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 3
| nationalyears4 = 1942
| nationalteam4 = [[The Football Association|Football Association XI]]
| nationalcaps4 = 1
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| nationalyears5 = 1943
| nationalteam5 = [[Royal Air Force XI]]
| nationalcaps5 = 2
| nationalgoals5 = 5
| nationalyears6 = 1945
| nationalteam6 = Scottish Services XI
| nationalcaps6 = 2
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| nationalyears7 = 1946–1955
| nationalteam7 = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]<ref name="Billy Liddell - A Squad">{{SFA Profile|id=113282}}</ref>
| nationalcaps7 = 29
| nationalgoals7 = 8
| nationalyears8 = 1947–1955
| nationalteam8 = [[United Kingdom national football team|Great Britain XI]]
| nationalcaps8 = 2
| nationalgoals8 = 0
| nationalyears9 = 1955<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EEdAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bFkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4475%2C5200969 Easter Road game should not have been played], Glasgow Herald (page 4), 22 February 1955</ref>
| nationalteam9 = [[Scotland national football team results (unofficial matches)#1940s–1950s|Scotland A vs B trial]]
| nationalcaps9 = 1
| nationalgoals9 = 0
}}
'''William Beveridge Liddell''' (10 January 1922 – 3 July 2001) was a Scottish [[Association football|footballer]] who played his [[List of one-club men in association football|entire professional career]] with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. He signed with the club as a teenager in 1938 and retired in 1961, having scored 228 goals in 534 appearances (placing Liddell fifth and 12th in the respective club rankings as of December 2024). He was Liverpool's leading goalscorer in the league in eight out of nine seasons from 1949–50 to 1957–58,<ref name="Stat">Keith, John (2005), pp. 302–5</ref> and surpassed [[Elisha Scott]]'s club record for most league appearances in 1957.

With Liverpool, Liddell won a league championship in 1947 and featured in the club's [[1950 FA Cup Final]] defeat by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]. He represented [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at international level on 29 occasions. While serving as a [[Royal Air Force]] navigator during the [[World War II|Second World War]], Liddell continued his career by appearing in unofficial games for Liverpool and guesting for various teams in the United Kingdom and Canada. After his retirement from football, in 1961, Liddell occupied himself as a [[Justice of the Peace]] (from 1958), [[bursar]] of [[Liverpool University]], and voluntary worker. He died in 2001.

Primarily a [[Midfielder#Winger|left winger]], Liddell's versatility enabled him to play comfortably on the opposite wing and as a striker, at [[Striker (association football)|centre]] and [[inside forward]]. Liddell became noted for his strong physique, acceleration, powerful shot,<ref name="LFCH">[http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/359 Profile: Billy Liddell], lfchistory.net. Retrieved 29 April 2008.</ref> professionalism, and good conduct on the pitch.<ref name="Matthews">Matthews, Tony (2006), p. 153</ref><ref name="Independent">Ponting, Ivan (2001), Obituary: Billy Liddell, ''[[The Independent]]'', 5 July 2001.</ref> Such was his influence and popularity that the club acquired the contemporary nickname "Liddellpool".<ref>Anderson, Jeff (2004), ''The Official Liverpool FC Illustrated History'', p. 51</ref> Posthumous recognition has included a plaque unveiled in 2004 at [[Anfield]] and sixth place in a poll of Liverpool fans, conducted in 2006 under the title "100 Players Who Shook The Kop". He was inducted into the [[Scottish Football Hall of Fame]] in November 2008.

==Early life==
[[File:Townhill, Fife.jpg|thumb|left|Townhill, located near Dunfermline]]
Born in [[Townhill, Fife|Townhill]], near [[Dunfermline]], on 10 January 1922, Liddell was the eldest of coal miner James and wife Montgomery's six children.<ref name="Keia">Keith, John (2005), pp. 2–9</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-billy-liddell/149987173/ |title=Billy Liddell |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |publication-place=London |page=25 |date=2001-07-07 |access-date=2024-06-24 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> During his childhood, Liddell experienced austerity and poverty, with his family often having to subsist on bread, [[Kale|kail]], and salt porridge.<ref name="Keia"/> His parents became determined that he would not become a miner and helped him to decide a future career.<ref name="Keia"/><ref name="Guar">Glanville, Brian (2001), [http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,516866,00.html Billy Liddell], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 5 July 2001, football.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2008.</ref> He did not originally consider football as a viable profession, eventually choosing accountancy in preference to the civil service and church. His interest in football developed at a young age, which persuaded his parents, despite financial difficulties, to buy him a pair of football boots as a Christmas present when he asked for them aged seven. Liddell's participation in organised football began at age eight when he joined his school team, which had an average age of ten.<ref name="Keia"/>

As a pupil at [[Dunfermline High School, Dunfermline|Dunfermline High School]], Liddell studied chemistry, mathematics, physics, English and two other languages. He became a reluctant rugby player, under the guidance of retired Welsh international [[Ronnie Boon]], while playing football for local teams and Scotland Schoolboys.<ref name="Keia"/> By the age of 16, Liddell had progressed sufficiently to earn a contract with Lochgelly Violet football club and be sought after by Liverpool, [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical]], and [[Partick Thistle F.C.|Partick Thistle]]. Liverpool manager [[George Kay (footballer)|George Kay]] became interested in signing Liddell on the recommendation of the club's Scottish halfback [[Matt Busby]], who learned of the teenager from [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]'s [[Alex Herd]] while on a golf trip. Herd had forwent one of their rounds to take [[Willie McAndrew]], manager of Hamilton, to watch Liddell play for Lochgelly. When Busby queried him about his absence and Liddell, Herd told him that a contract had not been agreed because limited resources prevented Hamilton from offering Liddell the assurances his parents insisted upon.<ref name="Keia"/> Instead, Liddell signed for Liverpool as an amateur on 27 July 1938<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Stats/Article/2561|title=A timeline for Liverpool Football Club - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!|last=LFChistory.net|website=www.lfchistory.net}}</ref> and became a professional in 1939 on a weekly wage of [[Pound sterling|£]]3.<ref name="Independent"/> Negotiations between his parents and the club guaranteed, as a pre-requisite to acceptance, that Liverpool would permit Liddell to continue his accountancy studies, be housed in suitable accommodation, and be employed part-time an accountant at a company in the club's city.<ref name="LFCH"/><ref name="Matthews"/><ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 11</ref>

Liddell entered the [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|youth team]] on his arrival in 1938. Before he established himself in the side, Liddell had been frustrated at the frequent rotation of players until trainer [[Bert Shelley|Albert Shelley]] advised him to be patient. An injury incurred against [[Blackburn Rovers]] threatened to end his career prematurely. He had struck his knee against concrete near the corner flag after being challenged while running with the ball. Doctors informed him of the extent of tissue damage, causing Liddell anxiety about his future. He remained in [[Blackburn]] for two weeks, living in the family home of a colleague, before returning to Liverpool to continue his recovery.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 16–7</ref> The [[World War II|Second World War]] precluded an official debut for Liddell, as [[the Football Association]] suspended competitive football from the abandoned [[1939–40 in English football|1939–1940]] season and instituted a regional system in its place.<ref>Anderson, Jeff (2004), p. 48</ref> Until the cessation of hostilities in 1945, Liddell guested for various domestic sides when unavailable for Liverpool and represented select teams, including a Football Association XI and Scottish Services XI. Liddell was [[List of Scotland wartime international footballers|capped eight times for Scotland during the war]], scoring on his debut in a 5–4 win over England in 1942.<ref name="unoff">Keith, John (2005), pp. 322–9</ref>

With Liverpool, Liddell competed in the various regional leagues that the FA assigned the club to and scored 82 goals in 152 matches between 1940 and 1946.<ref name="Stat"/> He debuted on 1 January 1940 against [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]], scoring after two minutes in a 7–3 win.<ref name="Kei">Keith, John (2005), pp. 21–2</ref> In his formative years, Liddell credited Matt Busby and [[Berry Nieuwenhuys]] as significant influences.<ref name="Kei"/> He volunteered for the [[Royal Air Force]] and, despite wanting to qualify as a pilot, was trained as a navigator because of his proficiency at mathematics. After being mobilised in December 1942, Liddell guested with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge Town]].<ref name="Keif">Keith, John (2005), pp. 29–32</ref> He broke his leg in a friendly kickabout while stationed in [[Bridgnorth]], which required admission to the RAF Remedial Centre at [[Blackpool]].

Following his recovery, Liddell travelled to Canada to complete a course at the Central Navigation School and became a pilot officer navigator.<ref name="Keif"/> While on leave, he was used as a substitute by the Toronto Scottish under an assumed name and scored twice in a semi-final play-off. He was recalled to [[Moncton]], [[New Brunswick]], before the final.<ref name="Keif"/> After some seven months in Canada, Liddell returned to Britain and, when based in [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] in 1944, accepted an offer to guest for his boyhood favourites [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]]. He subsequently moved to Northern Ireland for further training, where he declined an offer from former Liverpool goalkeeper Elisha Scott to guest for [[Belfast Celtic]] because of a prior agreement to play for [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]].<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 34–5</ref> By the end of the war, Liddell had been assigned to [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|617 Squadron]], helping to transport Allied soldiers back to Britain on [[Leave (military)|leave]] from Italy.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 37–8</ref>

==Club career==

===1946–1954===
{{Quote box
|quote=Most defenders knew who was windy amongst the opposition attack but Billy never chickened out. He was big, strong, speedy and he played it hard but fair. He put his heart and soul into the game. He was a great competitor.

He wasn't a [[Stanley Matthews|Matthews]] or a [[Tom Finney|Finney]]. He was direct, no frills. Even when you had taken the ball from him he'd have another bite at you.
|source=– [[Harry Johnston (footballer, born 1919)|Harry Johnston]], Blackpool and England defender.<ref>Hilton, Nick (1992), [http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/0100newsarchive/1200july/2001/07/04/adopted-son-became-a-reds-legend-50061-11132287/   Adopted son became a Reds legend] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212213920/http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/0100newsarchive/1200july/2001/07/04/adopted-son-became-a-reds-legend-50061-11132287/ |date=12 February 2012 }}, [[Liverpool Daily Post]], 4 July 2001, icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2008.</ref>
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Liddell's official debut for Liverpool came in the third round of the [[FA Cup]], the first competitive football tournament to be organised in post-war England. He started in the first leg against [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] on 5 January 1946 and scored in the 30th minute. The match ended in a 2–0 win and featured several additional debutants,<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/viewgame.asp?game_Id=4781 Chester  0 – 2 Liverpool], lfchistory.net. Retrieved 24 May 2008.</ref> including [[Bob Paisley]], who would forge a chemistry with Liddell as a [[Defender (association football)#Full back|left half]].<ref>Keith, John (2001), ''Bob Paisley: Manager of the Millennium'', p. 35</ref> League football completed its first full season under the provisional [[Football League North and South|North and South]] divisional system, which facilitated the restoration of national football for the [[1946–47 in English football|1946–47]] season.<ref name="Reg">Keith, John (2005), p. 46</ref> Although he established himself in the North League, scoring 17 goals in 42 matches, Liddell had yet to be discharged from the RAF and did not accompany Liverpool during its post-season tour of North America in May 1946.<ref name="Reg"/> His unavailability extended to pre-season training and the first two matches of the 1946–47 season. On 7 September, Liddell registered his first official league appearance and scored twice in a 7–4 defeat of [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 48</ref>

In his inaugural season of competitive football, Liddell confirmed his status as a regular and contributed to Liverpool's first championship since 1923. Positioned on the left wing, he appeared in 34 matches, scored seven goals,<ref name="LFCH"/> and supplied strikers [[Albert Stubbins]] and [[Jack Balmer]] with numerous assists.<ref name="Teleg">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1418081/Albert-Stubbins.html Albert Stubbins], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', 6 January 2003, telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2008.</ref> Severe conditions in the winter disrupted the league's schedule and Liverpool did not secure the title until 14 June 1947. The club won its final game away against Wolves 2–1, with Liddell setting up one of the goals,<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 61-2</ref> but the championship was decided by Sheffield United defeating contenders [[Stoke City F.C|Stoke]] in the season's last fixture. The game coincided with the [[Liverpool Senior Cup|Senior Cup Final]] between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield, where tannoys announced the result during the match.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 64</ref> As a strict [[Teetotalism|teetotaler]], Liddell refrained from accepting glasses of champagne to celebrate the success.<ref name="Matthews"/>

The club was unable to replicate its form in the [[1947–48 in English football|1947–48]] season, occupying 11th place on its conclusion in May 1948.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 106</ref> Despite that, Liddell reached double figures with a total of 11 goals.<ref name="LFCH"/> He accompanied the club when it embarked on its second exhibition tour of North America.<ref name="Ameri">Keith, John (2005), pp. 108–9</ref> His displays against Sweden's [[Djurgårdens IF Fotboll|Djurgården]], played at the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]]' [[Ebbets Field]], and North American teams earned him praise from journalists and gained him 13 goals in 11 matches.<ref name="Ameri"/> In the [[1948–49 in English football|1948–49]] season, Liddell occupied left back and four forward positions.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 114</ref> During his career, he would fill all ten outfield roles, mostly because of injuries to other players.<ref>[http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-players/billy-liddell Past Player Profile: Billy Liddell], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> His brother, Tom, became a teammate in 1949 after Liverpool signed him from Lochore Welfare. He never represented the club as a senior.<ref name="Bro">Keith, John (2005), p. 116</ref> The club finished in eighth in the [[1949–50 in English football|1949–50]] season,<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/seasontables.asp?Season_id=50 1st Division League table for the 1949–1950 season], fchistory.net. Retrieved 7 June 2008.</ref> going undefeated for a post-[[World War I|First World War]] record of 19 consecutive matches.<ref name="Bro"/> Liddell scored ten goals in seven of those matches, including three braces.<ref>Andersen, John (2004), p. 215</ref>

Liverpool reached the [[1950 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]], making its first appearance at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref name="Cup">Keith, John (2005), pp. 130–1</ref> Liddell had played in all seven matches during the club's progression, scoring critical goals against Blackpool and Everton.<ref name="LFCH"/> Demand for tickets far exceeded supply, with more than 100,000 applications being made for Liverpool's allocation of only 8,000. Liddell recalled being inundated with requests from friends, family, and Liverpudlians in general.<ref name="Cup"/> Some 100,000 spectators witnessed Arsenal defeat Liverpool 2–0 on 29 April.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/fa_cup/1323944.stm Cup Final Head to head: Arsenal v Liverpool], BBC Sport, 10 May 2001, news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2008.</ref> Constant marking by [[Alex Forbes]] contained Liddell for much of the 90 minutes,<ref name="Independent"/><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1333057/Billy-Liddell.html Billy Liddell], ''The Daily Telegraph'', 5 July 2001, telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2008.</ref> and a tackle executed early in the game caused the winger pain. Journalist [[Brian Glanville]] questioned Arsenal's tactics and recalled being told by Liddell that he had been unable to put his jacket on the next day.<ref name="Guar"/><ref name="Forbes">Keith, John (2005), pp. 137–8</ref> Subsequent match reports by the media accused Forbes of acting with malice in his marking, which Liddell and Arsenal's [[Wally Barnes]] refuted.<ref name="Forbes"/> Liddell, who had scored 20 goals in all competitions, returned to Liverpool with his club after a trip to [[Brighton]], to be greeted by thousands of supporters.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 140</ref>

In 1950, Liddell became one of many players to be offered a transfer to [[Colombia]] by agents representing [[Independiente Santa Fe]] and [[Club Deportivo Los Millonarios]].<ref name="Colom">Keith, John (2005), pp. 144–7</ref> The clubs belonged to the [[DIMAYOR]], unrecognised by [[FIFA]] because of a dispute between the league and the domestic governing body. Restrictions in England limited the weekly wage (£12 in the season and £10 during the summer) and impeded a player's ability to transfer to another club, which caused much discontent in British football until the system was reformed in the 1960s.<ref>Bale, John & Maguire, Joseph (1994), ''The Global Sports Arena: Athletic Talent Migration in an Interdependent World'', pp. 40–1</ref> Liddell chose to reject the contract offer, reportedly estimated at [[Pound sterling|£]]12,000. His wife Phyllis, whom he married in 1946,<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 40</ref> later attributed the decision to club loyalty and the recent birth of twins. He later recalled that the proposal had been tempting, acknowledging that the decision would have been more challenging had it not been for the births.<ref name="Colom"/> Many footballers did agree to contracts, including [[Alfredo Di Stefano]], [[Neil Franklin]], [[Charlie Mitten]], and [[Hector Rial]].<ref name="Colom"/><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/charlie-mitten-729646.html Charlie Mitten]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, The Independent, 8 January 2002, independent.co.uk. Retrieved 5 August 2010.</ref>

Manager George Kay resigned in January 1951 because of declining health and was replaced by former guest player [[Don Welsh]].<ref>[http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-managers/don-welsh Past Manager: Don Welsh: Manager (1951–56)], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> Before Kay's resignation, Liverpool failed to record a win in ten matches between September and November. Liddell ended the sequence in December with the deciding goal in a 1–0 defeat of Chelsea. The inconsistency continued for the rest of [[1950–51 in English football|the season]] and Liverpool lost 3–1 to [[Third Division South]] [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in the FA Cup third round.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 150–1</ref> The club again underperformed in the [[1951–52 in English football|1951–52]] season, in which Liddell scored a goal against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] described by contemporary media as the "shot of a lifetime" and reported in detail by the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]''. When awarded a free kick outside the [[Penalty area|penalty box]], Liverpool opted to have [[Kevin Baron (footballer)|Kevin Baron]] take it instead of Liddell as was usual. Baron passed it to Liddell, who struck the ball with such force, after a momentary pause, that the shot surprised the Huddersfield defence and goalkeeper [[Harry Mills (footballer)|Harry Mills]], and silenced spectators.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 157–8</ref> Still played as a winger, Liddell finished the season with 19 goals in 40 league appearances. Liverpool only avoided relegation in the [[1952–53 in English football|1952–53]] season by defeating Chelsea in the club's final fixture, in April 1953.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 163</ref>

===1954–1961===
Liverpool's decline culminated in relegation to the Second Division in the [[1953–54 in English football|1953–54]] season, finishing last with 28 points to end 50 seasons in the top division.<ref name="rele">[http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/timeline/1944-1969/reds-relegated-from-top-flight Reds relegated from top flight], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 6 August 2010.</ref> The club had conceded 97 goals and failed to record an away win in 24 consecutive matches over a period of 14 months.<ref>Keith, John (2001), ''Bob Paisley: Manager of the Millennium'', p. 53</ref> Liddell, like the rest of his teammates, struggled for form, scoring just seven goals and missing a penalty in a 1–0 loss to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff]] that confirmed relegation.<ref name="rele"/> Despite the club's descent, Liddell elected to stay rather than accept a transfer elsewhere.<ref name="LFCH"/>

The prospect of a second relegation, rather than promotion, dominated the club's thoughts at one stage in the [[1954–55 in English football|1954–55]] season, yet a productive partnership formed. Liddell moved to centre forward, scoring 30 goals in 40 league appearances,<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 172–3</ref> one more than teammate [[John Evans (footballer, born 1929)|John Evans]].<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=613 John Evans], lfchistory.net. Retrieved 22 May 2008.</ref> He scored Liverpool's solitary goal in its record 9–1 loss to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham]] on 11 December 1954.<ref>[http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/timeline/1944-1969/reds-suffer-record-defeat Reds suffer record defeat], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 7 August 2010.</ref> To confound the sporting media, Liverpool went on to defeat Everton 4–0 in January, in an FA Cup fourth round fixture at [[Goodison Park]] before a crowd of 72,000.<ref name="Keie">Keith, John (2005), pp. 175–7</ref> Goals from Liddell, [[Alan A'Court|A'Court]], and Evans overcame the match favourites, with Liddell being characterised by the ''Liverpool Echo'' as "inspirational".<ref name="Keie"/> The club was eliminated in the next round and finished 11th at the end of the season - its lowest ever finish.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 179–80</ref>

Liddell assumed the [[Captain (association football)|captaincy]] in the [[1955–56 in English football|1955–56]] season,<ref name="LFCH"/> in succession to [[Laurie Hughes]].<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_articles_view.asp?article_Id=24 Stats: Captains for Liverpool FC since 1892] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718211808/http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_articles_view.asp?article_Id=24 |date=18 July 2009 }}, lfchistory.net. Retrieved 8 October 2008.</ref> Although the club challenged for promotion, finishing third, the directors decided to dismiss Don Welsh and appoint former player [[Phil Taylor (footballer, born 1917)|Phil Taylor]].<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/managers_profile.asp?manager_id=7 Manager Profile: Don Welsh] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523114005/http://www.lfchistory.net/managers_profile.asp?manager_id=7 |date=23 May 2008 }}, lfchistory.net. Retrieved 24 May 2008.</ref> Liddell scored 32 goals in the league and cup, including a hat-trick against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]].<ref name="LFCH"/> He could have had one more against Manchester City in an FA Cup fifth round replay at Anfield that Liverpool lost 2–1. Seconds before full-time, Liverpool dispossessed City and Liddell advanced from the halfway line to [[Bert Trautmann]]'s goal, striking in the penalty box, reportedly just as the referee signalled to end the match.  Along with Trautmann and many other players,<ref>Rowlands, Alan (2005), ''Trautmann: The Biography'', p. 175</ref> Liddell had been unaware of the full-time whistle and Liverpool's supporters stayed in expectation of extra time until an announcement informed them of the scoreline.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 189–91</ref>

In the [[1956–57 in English football|following season]], Liverpool finished a single point behind second-placed Nottingham Forest. While injuries to [[Louis Bimpson]] and [[Brian Jackson (footballer born 1933)|Brian Jackson]] meant Liddell played much of the season as a [[Outside right|right winger]] and [[Inside forward|inside right]], he retained his place as the club's leading scorer, with 21 goals.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 193</ref> Promotion again eluded the club in the [[1957–58 in English football|1957–58]] season,<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/seasontables.asp?Season_id=58 2nd Division League table for the 1957-1958 season] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702185027/http://www.lfchistory.net/seasontables.asp?Season_id=58 |date=2 July 2010 }}, lfchistory.net. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> while Liddell surpassed Elisha Scott's record of 430 league appearances (then erroneously believed to be 429) in November 1957 to acclaim. In recalling the match against [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]], which it transpired only equalled the record, Liddell confessed to having felt self-conscious because of the attention that he received, while appreciative of the respect shown to his achievement, especially from his opponents, managed by friend [[Tommy Lawton]].<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 199</ref>

As he approached the twilight of his career, Liddell slowed as a player and his appearances from the [[1958–59 in English football|1958–59]] season became infrequent. He sought to mitigate his declining pace by adopting a deeper approach, with a "more thoughtful passing game".<ref name="LFCH"/><ref name="Independent"/> His omission from the lineup for the match against Fulham, in which Bimpson replaced him, provoked criticism from supporters, with some opposition being expressed via letters to local newspapers.<ref name="keid">Keith, John (2005), pp. 204–7</ref> Bimpson scored and Liddell's confinement to the reserves attracted the interest of [[River Mersey|Mersey]] neighbours [[New Brighton A.F.C.|New Brighton]]. The non-leaguers approached Liddell with an offer to become player-manager, which he and the club rejected.<ref name="keid"/> After one start in November, Liddell returned to the senior squad in March 1959 for his 466th league appearance, which the footballing community believed would surpass [[Ted Sagar]]'s Merseyside record of 465. Liddell scored two goals in a 3–2 win over Barnsley at Anfield, but later learnt that Sagar's accepted total had been erroneous (463 being the correct figure).<ref name="keid"/> During his absence, Liverpool unexpectedly succumbed to part-time [[Worcester City F.C.|Worcester City]] in the third round of the FA Cup. Liddell had played in 40 consecutive cup fixtures, but his involvement in the 2–1 defeat had been limited to the studding of his colleagues' boots.<ref name="keid"/>

{{Quote box
|quote=Liddell was some player...He had everything. He was fast, powerful, shot with either foot and his headers were like blasts from a gun. On top of all that he was as hard as granite. What a player! He was so strong – and he took a nineteen-inch collar shirt!
|source=– Attributed to [[Bill Shankly]], manager of Liverpool from 1959 to 1974<ref name="Keih">Keith, John (2005), pp. 231–4</ref>
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Having missed the [[1959–60 in English football|1959–60]] season opener in August, Liddell replaced Bimpson for the match against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] and scored a brace in a 4–2 win. He had numerous chances to complete a [[hat-trick]], including two disallowed goals and a penalty taken by [[Jimmy Melia]] which the crowd had urged Liddell to take.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120804104751/http://www.lfchistory.net/redcorner_articles_view.asp?article_id=1822 Liddell's two goal comeback], Liverpool Daily Post, August 1959, lfchistory.net. Retrieved 26 May 2008.</ref> He retained his place until an injury sustained in September granted [[Roger Hunt]] the opportunity to score on his league debut against [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe]].<ref name="Keih"/> Recurring injury further disrupted Liddell's season after his return against Middlesbrough and damage to knee ligaments in October rendered him unavailable for four months.<ref name="Keih"/> Phil Taylor resigned in December due to deteriorating performances and was succeeded by Huddersfield's [[Bill Shankly]].<ref>[http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-managers/phil-taylor Past Manager Profile: Phil Taylor Player (1935–53) and Manager (1956–60)], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> After Liddell recovered, Shankly selected him to play against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in February, but the match had to be abandoned because of fog. He completed the next match, against [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]], and played in ten successive games, scoring his final goal for the club in a 5–1 defeat of Stoke in March.<ref name="Keilm">Keith, John (2005), pp. 236–8</ref>

For the match against [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] in April, Shankly favoured an 18-year-old [[Ian Callaghan]], considered by Liddell to be his successor.<ref name="Keilm"/> He received a standing ovation at the end of the match and ultimately broke Liddell's appearances record.<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=274 Player Profile: Ian Callaghan], lfchistory.net. Retrieved 26 May 2008.</ref> Liddell's last league game came in the [[1960–61 in English football|1960–61]] season, in a 1–0 defeat to [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]. The match gave him the distinction of being the oldest footballer to play for the club in a post-war senior match (at 38 years and 224 days) until [[Kenny Dalglish]] in 1990.<ref name="Retire">Keith, John (2005), p. 240-3</ref> To recognise Liddell's 22-year service, Liverpool organised a [[Testimonial match|testimonial]] in September between the club and an International XI at Anfield. The game had an attendance of 38,789 and generated £6,340 in revenue, enabling Liddell to purchase a home.<ref name="Retire"/> He ended his career in the reserves and made his final appearance on 29 April 1961, scoring one of his side's five goals against Blackburn.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 245</ref>

His influence gained the club the nickname "Liddellpool", but a retired Liddell insisted that he had never carried the team.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+BILLY+LIDDELL%2c+1922-2001-+FAREWELL+TO+KING+BILLY%3b+Mr...-a076200160 Football: BILLY LIDDELL, 1922-2001- FAREWELL TO KING BILLY; Mr Liddellpool, the Anfield legend who cost just pounds 200], The Daily Mirror, 4 July 2001, thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 18 August 2010.</ref> In remembering Liddell in his "50 greatest Liverpool players", ''[[The Times]]''' Tony Evans noted that he had been a leader who had inspired hope amongst the club's support in "bleak times".<ref>Evans, Tony (2009), [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article5703041.ece?token=null&offset=132&page=12 The 50 greatest Liverpool players]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, The Times, 13 February 2009, timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2010.</ref> As of August 2010, Liddell remains the oldest player to score for Liverpool (at 38 years and 55 days),<ref>[http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/records/goals LFC Records], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> and is ranked as the club's fourth highest goalscorer, bettered only by [[Ian Rush]] (346 goals), Roger Hunt (286 goals), and [[Gordon Hodgson]] (241 goals).<ref>[http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_goalscorers.asp Stats: Most goalscorers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224063146/http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_goalscorers.asp |date=24 February 2008 }}, lfchistory.net. Retrieved 5 June 2008.</ref>

==International career==
Liddell debuted for Scotland in a 5–4 wartime win over England at [[Hampden Park]], equalising Tommy Lawton's opening goal. He gained several more wartime caps. He gained his first full cap against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] scoring twice in a 3–1 win at Hampden Park on 15 May 1946<ref name="Billy Liddell - A Squad"/> At international level, Liddell played predominantly as an outside left, in competition with Scotland-based [[Lawrie Reilly]] and [[Willie Ormond]].<ref>Crampsey, Bob (2001), [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/scotland/1422109.stm Billy Liddell – a footballing gent], BBC, 4 July 2001. Retrieved 2 June 2008.</ref> The [[Scottish Football Association]] (SFA) denied Liddell and his teammates the opportunity to participate in the [[1950 FIFA World Cup|1950 World Cup]], hosted by Brazil, because of an earlier decision not to sanction involvement as British Home Championship runners-up. The decision meant qualification depended on the final match against England on 25 May 1950, which Scotland lost 1-0 when joint-first needed only a draw. Despite pressure from players, the SFA maintained its position.<ref name="World Cup">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0001/index.shtml Scotland and the 1950 World Cup], bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 June 2008.</ref>

In 1951, Scotland won the [[1951 British Home Championship|Home Championship]], with Liddell scoring twice.<ref>Keith, John, p. 153</ref> His goal against England in a 3–2 win followed a clash of heads with [[Wilf Mannion]] that fractured the English player's cheek bone.<ref name="Teleg"/><ref>[http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=33084 Video of the match and collision], Pathe, britishpathe.com. Retrieved 22 August 2010</ref> For the [[1954 FIFA World Cup|1954 World Cup]], the SFA decided to authorise World Cup participation regardless of placement.<ref name="World Cup"/> After a 3–3 draw with Wales, the SFA omitted Liddell from the starting lineup and he did not accompany the team to Switzerland. Scotland struggled in the World Cup and lost their two matches 1–0 and 7–0 to [[Austria national football team|Austria]] and [[Uruguayan national football team|Uruguay]], respectively.<ref name="Callup">Keith, John (2005), p. 79</ref> The team's first manager, [[Andy Beattie]], resigned in protest because of SFA interference in the selection process.<ref>Cox, Richard William, Russell, David, & Vamplew, Wray (2002), ''Encyclopedia of British Football'', p. 281</ref>

Having been overlooked for four matches that followed, Liddell was re-called by the SFA after a 7–2 loss to England at Wembley.<ref name="Callup"/> He returned as an outside left and scored one of Scotland's three goals against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] on 4 May 1955.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 319</ref> His involvement in the tour of [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]], [[Austria national football team|Austria]] and [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] later in the month proved eventful. In a 2–2 draw with Yugoslavia, Liddell received a black eye when accidentally punched by goalkeeper [[Vladimir Beara]] while attempting a header.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 81</ref> He scored his last goal for Scotland in an ill-tempered 4–1 win over Austria at [[Praterstadion]], where a brief pitch invasion involving large numbers of supporters reportedly resulted in altercations between players and fans.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 85</ref><ref>[http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39372 Video of Scotland v Austria], Pathe, britishpathe.com. Retrieved 22 August 2010.</ref> Late in the match against Hungary, Liddell missed his second penalty for Scotland while the side were losing 3–1 to the "[[Magical Magyars|Golden Team]]". During his career with Liverpool, Liddell converted 34 of his 41 penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Stats/PlayerPenaltiesTotals#|title=Total list of Liverpool scorers - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!|last=LFChistory.net|website=www.lfchistory.net}}</ref>

Liddell gained two additional caps representing a [[Great Britain XI]] against the Rest of Europe in 1947 and 1955. He became one of only two players (the other being [[Stanley Matthews]]) to twice be selected.<ref name="Independent"/> The first exhibition had been arranged to celebrate FIFA's readmission of the four [[Home Nations]]. Promoted as the "Match of the Century" and watched by 135,000 spectators, the game ended in an emphatic 6–1 victory for Britain.<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/fifa/historyfifa5.html History of FIFA – British Associations return] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116062425/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/fifa/historyfifa5.html |date=16 November 2007 }}, fifa.com. Retrieved 14 July 2008.</ref> Liddell sustained a pulled muscle, which severely impaired his movement on the pitch and forced him out of two domestic matches.<ref name="Keig">Keith, John (2005), pp. 73–5</ref> In the second match, organised to observe the 75th anniversary of the [[Irish Football Association|Irish FA]]'s creation, the Rest of Europe won decisively by a scoreline of 4–1.<ref name="Keig"/>

==Later life and legacy==
Liddell settled in Liverpool with Phyllis and their twin sons, residing in [[Merseyside]] until his death. When his father died in January 1951, Liddell arranged for his mother, sister, and younger brothers to relocate to the city, concentrating his family in the region.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 149–50</ref> While still a player, Liddell was appointed a [[Justice of the Peace]] for Liverpool in 1958 and contributed a column to the Echo's football edition. He became occupied with voluntary work, which entailed him being an occasional disc jockey for the [[WRVS|Women's Voluntary Service]] at [[Alder Hey Children's Hospital]], working for local youth clubs, and teaching at a Sunday school.<ref>Keith, John (2005), pp. 212–3</ref> Although religious, Liddell had not been a lay preacher as some believed. His wife dismissed it as a misapprehension, recalling that, while Liddell had abstained from drinking and smoking, he had not objected to others doing so in his presence and never "rammed any of his views down people's throats."<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 217</ref> After retiring in 1961, Liddell served as assistant permanent secretary and [[bursar]] to the [[University of Liverpool]] Guild of Undergraduates (Student Union) until 1984,<ref name="Keim">Keith, John (2005), pp. 254–5</ref> and authored a memoir, titled "My Soccer Story".<ref name="Teleg"/>
[[File:Anfield Stadium 2426620378 2cfbe0b700 b.jpg|thumb|left|Anfield Stadium]]

While he had no desire to be a manager, Liddell, as a shareholder, had wanted to become a Liverpool director; however, his repeated applications to board elections were unsuccessful.<ref name="Keih"/> He continued to play football for a magistrates' team until he decided to focus on tennis after breaking a cheek bone. In 1967, Liddell and other footballing personalities appeared in a charity match to generate funds for Bankfield House Community Centre.<ref name="Keim"/> More than 10,000 people watched Liddell play opposite retired Hungarian international [[Ferenc Puskás]] at [[South Liverpool F.C.|South Liverpool]]'s Holly Park ground, raising £1,100 in the process.<ref>Searson, Ben (2006), [http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2006/11/27/charity-resurrects-day-a-legend-came-to-garston-64375-18164690/ Charity resurrects day a legend came to Garston], Liverpool Daily Post, 27 November 2006, liverpooldailypost.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2008.</ref> He later became chairman of [[Littlewoods]]' [[Spot the Ball]] panel and president of the Liverpool FC Supporters Club.<ref>Keith, John (2005), p. 259</ref> After being diagnosed with [[Parkinson's disease]] in the early 1990s, Liddell resigned from the panel on the insistence of Phyllis. His wife had first noticed atypical behaviour on a visit to Anfield following the [[Hillsborough disaster]] in 1989, when he did not appear able to register what had happened in [[Sheffield]].<ref name="keic">Keith, John (2005), pp. 291–2</ref> When his condition worsened, Liddell moved to a nursing home in [[Mossley Hill]].<ref name="keic"/> He died on 3 July 2001, within a week of the deaths of former Liverpool manager [[Joe Fagan]] and director Tom Saunders.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1430898.stm Anfield legend Saunders dies], BBC Sport, 9 July 2001, news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2008.</ref>

In 2002, former Liverpool Reserve player Jimmy Rolfe loaned to Anfield Museum a No. 11 shirt believed to be the only surviving example worn by Liddell in the league. He had acquired it from trainer Albert Shelley on leaving for Chester in 1953.<ref>Faulkner, Scott (2005), [http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2002/03/01/a-liddell-piece-of-history-100252-11663866/ A Liddell piece of history], Liverpool Echo, 1 March 2002, liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2008.</ref> On 4 November 2004, widow Phyllis and Ian Callaghan unveiled a commemorative plaque adjacent to the museum.<ref>Jones, David (2004), [http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2004/11/05/reds-honour-a-true-great-100252-14838874/ Reds honour a true great; Legends join in tributes to giant of game], Liverpool Echo, 5 November 2004, liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 13 July 2008.</ref> Liddell's biographer John Keith, who also presented on [[BBC Radio Merseyside]], had proposed the memorial to then chairman [[David Moores]] and chief executive [[Rick Parry]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/3981187.stm Reds honour legend Billy Liddell], [[BBC News]], 4 November 2004, news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2008.</ref> Further recognition came in 2006 when Liddell attained sixth place in a poll of more than 110,000 people conducted by Liverpool's official website to determine a list of "100 Players Who Shook The Kop".<ref>Platt, Mark (2006), [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/100-pwstk-no-6-billy-liddell 100 PWSTK – No. 6: Billy Liddell], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> When Liverpool approached former players to identify their personal favourites as a complement to the list, Ian Callaghan, [[Tommy Smith (footballer born 1945)|Tommy Smith]], [[David Johnson (English footballer)|David Johnson]], and [[Roy Evans]] included Liddell in their "top five".<ref>Hunter, Steve (2006), [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/11-legends-pick-their-top-5-players 11 Legends Pick Their Top 5 Players], liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref> [[The Football League]] included Liddell in a 1998 list of notable players, titled the "[[Football League 100 Legends|100 Legends]]".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/144986.stm Sport: Football Legends list in full], BBC News, 5 August 1998, news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2010.</ref>

The Billy Liddell Memorial Group formed in 2007 to advocate further recognition for Liddell, specifically in his home village of Townhill, and secure induction into the Scottish FA's [[Scottish Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]].<ref name="BLM">[http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/22/liverpool-fc-legend-billy-liddell-memorial-garden-unveiled-today-in-his-townhill-birthplace-fife-scotland-100252-26495565/ Liverpool FC legend Billy Liddell memorial garden unveiled today in his Townhill birthplace, Fife, Scotland], Liverpool Echo, 22 May 2010, liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2010.</ref> A petition to the [[Scottish Parliament]], to have Liddell inducted, succeeded in November 2008 when he became one of eight players admitted.<ref name="BLM"/><ref>[http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=billy-liddell-and-ian-st-john-inducted-into-scotland-8217-s-hall-of-fame&method=full&objectid=22303020&siteid=50061-name_page.html Billy Liddell and Ian St John inducted into Scotland's Hall of Fame], Liverpool Echo, 20 November 2010, icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2010.</ref> His village renamed its sports complex in his honour and completed a memorial garden, with [[cairn]], in May 2010. The Deputy Provost of Fife Council, Councillor Lizz Mogg, officially unveiled the cairn on the 22nd in the presence of Liddell's widow and other relatives.<ref name="BLM"/> The memorial group announced its intention to disband in July, citing the success of its campaign.<ref>[http://www.billyliddell.org.uk/Index.asp?MainID=7976 News], billyliddell.org.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2010.</ref>

==Honours==
'''Liverpool'''
*[[Football League First Division|English First Division]]: [[1946–47 Football League|1946–47]]
*[[FA Cup]] Runner-up: [[1949–50 FA Cup|1949–50]]

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="16"|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]<ref name="Stat"/>||[[1945–46 in English football|1945–46]]||rowspan="9"|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]||0||0||2||1||2||1
|-
|[[1946–47 in English football|1946–47]]
||34||7||6||1||40||8
|-
|[[1947–48 in English football|1947–48]]||37||10||2||1||39||11
|-
|[[1948–49 in English football|1948–49]]||38||8||4||1||42||9
|-
|[[1949–50 in English football|1949–50]]||41||17||7||2||48||19
|-
|[[1950–51 in English football|1950–51]]||35||15||1||0||36||15
|-
|[[1951–52 in English football|1951–52]]||40||19||3||0||43||19
|-
|[[1952–53 in English football|1952–53]]||39||13||1||0||40||13
|-
|[[1953–54 in English football|1953–54]]||36||7||1||0||37||7
|-
|[[1954–55 in English football|1954–55]]||rowspan="7"|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]||40||30||4||1||44||31
|-
|[[1955–56 in English football|1955–56]]||39||27||5||5||44||32
|-
|[[1956–57 in English football|1956–57]]||41||21||1||0||42||21
|-
|[[1957–58 in English football|1957–58]]||35||22||5||1||40||23
|-
|[[1958–59 in English football|1958–59]]||19||14||0||0||19||14
|-
|[[1959–60 in English football|1959–60]]||17||5||0||0||17||5
|-
|[[1960–61 in English football|1960–61]]||1||0||0||0||1||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!492!!215!!42!!13!!534!!228
|}

===International===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="Billy Liddell - A Squad"/>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="9"|[[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
|1946||3||2
|-
|1947||2||0
|-
|1948||1||0
|-
|1949||1||0
|-
|1950||6||1
|-
|1951||3||1
|-
|1952||6||2
|-
|1953||2||0
|-
|1955||5||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!29!!8
|}

:''Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Liddell goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Billy Liddell
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| style="text-align:center"|– || 18 April 1942 || [[Hampden Park]], [[Glasgow]], Scotland || {{fb|ENG}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|5–4 || [[Scotland national football team results (unofficial matches)|Wartime friendly]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|–
| rowspan="2"|2 February 1946 || rowspan="2"|[[Windsor Park]], [[Belfast]] || rowspan="2"|{{fb|IRE}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–2 || rowspan="2"|Wartime friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|–
| style="text-align:center"|3–2
|-
| style="text-align:center"|1
| rowspan="2"|15 May 1946 || rowspan="2"|Hampden Park, Glasgow || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SUI}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|3–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly<ref name="Billy Liddell - A Squad"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center"|2
| style="text-align:center"|2–1
|-
| style="text-align:center"|3 || 21 October 1950 || [[Ninian Park]], [[Cardiff]], Wales || {{fb|WAL}} || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || [[1951 British Home Championship]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|4 || 14 April 1951 || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, England || {{fb|ENG}} || style="text-align:center"|3–1 || style="text-align:center"|3–2 || 1951 British Home Championship
|-
| style="text-align:center"|5 || 30 May 1952 || [[Råsunda Stadium]], [[Stockholm]], Sweden || {{fb|SWE}} || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || style="text-align:center"|1–3 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|6 || 18 October 1952 || Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland || {{fb|WAL}} || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || style="text-align:center"|2–1 || [[1953 British Home Championship]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|7 || 4 May 1955 || Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland || {{fb|POR}} || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| style="text-align:center"|8 || 19 May 1955 || [[Ernst-Happel-Stadion|Praterstadion]], [[Vienna]], Austria || {{fb|AUT}} || style="text-align:center"|3–0 || style="text-align:center"|4–1 || Friendly
|}

==See also==
*[[List of footballers in England by number of league goals]] (200+)

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*Anderson, Jeff (2004), The Official Liverpool FC Illustrated History, Carlton Books Ltd {{ISBN|1-84222-665-7}}
*Glanville, Brian (2001), [http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,516866,00.html Billy Liddell], The Guardian, 5 July 2001, football.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2008.
*Keith, John (2005), ''Billy Liddell: The Legend Who Carried the Kop'', Robson {{ISBN|1-86105-804-7}}
*Matthews, Tony (2006) ''Who's Who of Liverpool'', Mainstream Publishing, {{ISBN|1-84596-140-4}}
*Ponting, Ivan (2001), Obituary: Billy Liddell, ''The Independent'', 5 July 2001.
*[http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=359 Profile: Billy Liddell], lfchistory.net. Retrieved 29 April 2008.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/billy-liddell Liverpool FC — Billy Liddell], liverpoolfc.com. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
* Pearman, John (2004), [http://www.lfconline.com/news/loadroll.asp?cid=EDZ6&id=138715 King Billy], lfconline.com. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
* [http://www.billyliddell.org.uk/Index.asp?MainID=6989 Billy Liddell Memorial Group], billyliddell.org.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
* [http://www.billyliddell.com Billy Liddell Tribute] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701182819/http://www.billyliddell.com/ |date=1 July 2010 }}, billyliddell.com. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=33544 Liverpool v  Everton in the 1950 FA Cup semi-final], Pathe, britishpathe.com. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=33628 Arsenal v Liverpool in 1950 FA Cup Final], Pathe, britishpathe.com. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
* [http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38998 Everton v Liverpool in the 1955 FA Cup fourth round], Pathe, britishpathe.com. Retrieved 19 August 2010.

{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|fg=navy
|bg=gold
|list1=
{{Scottish Football Hall of Fame}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
{{Football League 100 Legends}}
{{Liverpool F.C. Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liddell, Billy}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
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[[Category:Scottish expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Linfield F.C. wartime guest players]]