Worthington Cup Final - Shankly and His Successors Change Success-Rate; Liverpool Have Always Held the Upper Hand over the Blues, Whose 9-1 Win in December 1954 Remains the Anfield Club's Record Defeat, Writes Brian Halford

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Byline: Brian Halford

Birmingham City and Liverpool are among English football's oldest acquaintances, having first met 108 years ago.

Way back in the 1893-94 season, Blues provided the opposition for only the Merseyside club's fourth game after their elevation to the Football League.

Few natives of Merseyside populated the Liverpool squad in those formative days. There was, in fact, a massive Scottish presence - all 11 members of the Reds' team that lined up for their inaugural Football League game at Anfield, against Lincoln City, were Scottish and eight were 'Macs!'

MacLiverpool completed the double over Blues in that first season - 3-1 at …