Geoff Strong

 ( 1937 Births ) 

Strong played 19 league games that season, scoring ten goals, and appeared in 20 the following season, 1961–62, before finally becoming an automatic first-choice in 1962–63. Playing as an inside forward or centre forward, Strong formed a lethal attacking partnership with Joe Baker and became a regular goalscorer for the clubhis record being 31 in all competitions in 1963–64; Baker and Strong together scored 62 that season.

However, despite Strong and Baker's goalscoring efforts, Arsenal were going through a barren patch; the best league position they achieved during this period was seventh, and they made little impact in the FA Cup. Strong made it clear he wanted to move to a more successful club. Although he was still a regular starter at the start of the 1964–65 season, Arsenal sold him for £40,000 to Liverpool in November 1964. He had scored 77 goals from 137 matches for the Gunners.

After just 16 appearances in a red shirt Strong's wish for more success came to fruition, as Liverpool won the FA Cup for the first time in the club's 73-year history. Strong, who was now used as a utility man, made his first appearance in the competition for Liverpool in the final at Wembley, deputising for the injured Gordon Milne as the Reds beat Leeds United 2–1 after extra time. He played in the semi-final of the European Cup, as Liverpool lost to Internazionale 4–3 on aggregate having led 3-1 from the first leg in Italy.

Strong went on to play in almost every outfield position over the next six seasons, but he eventually settled in at left back after Gerry Byrne retired. Strong was part of the side that won the 1965–66 Football League title, six points clear of Leeds United. He, however, missed the 1966 Cup Winners' Cup final, which Liverpool lost 2–1 to Borussia Dortmund at Hampden Park, through an injury that he picked up in the semi-final second leg win over Celtic. Strong had a major influence in the Reds reaching their first European final, as it was he who scored the winner, a towering header, even though he was carrying a leg injury.

Liverpool went trophyless for a few seasons after the 1966 title win, and following a 1–0 defeat at the hands of Second Division Watford in the sixth round of the 1969–70 FA Cup, Bill Shankly decided that changes had to be made. The old guard had to be replaced by a younger generation, and Strong was one of the players that was caught up in the cull. After 201 matches and 33 goals, Strong left Liverpool in July 1970 for Coventry City for a £30,000 fee.