Any assessment of Bob Paisley's managerial reign must concentrate on his dealings in the transfer market, for chief among his attributes was an ability to see gifts not apparent to mere mortals. No player better illustrates this knack than Mark Lawrenson. Born in Preston, Lawrenson launched his career with the Lancashire club before moving to Brighton.

Though never less than competent, Lawrenson had scarely set the game alight when Paisley moved to sign him in 1981. What made the buy all the more remarkable was a club record fee of £900,000. Yet, from Lawrenson's earliest days at the club, it was clear Paisley had unearthed another gem.

A commanding presence, the newcomer slotted in seamlessly alongside Alan Hansen, providing the most formidable central defensive barrier the modern England game had seen. His speed, timing and overall ability to read the game made him a pivotal figure in the great Liverpool sides of the early 1980s. Despite collecting three League Cups, an FA Cup, four League Championships and a European Cup, Lawrenson should should have bettered even this prodigious haul. Tragically, from 1986 onwards, his career was wrecked by injuries, most notably the Achilles tendon trouble which ultimately brought his playing days to a premature end.

Though Lawrenson would never admit it, he may also have reflected upon a hasty decision to opt to play for Eire above England. Nonetheless, he wore the green jersey with pride in 38 outings, though never at a level his talents deserved. The sense of unfulfilled potential that attaches itself to Lawrenson also extends to a truncated managerial career, a promising beginning at Oxford United, thwarted by clashes with the club's board, being followed by a 15-month spell at Peterborough.

Lawrenson tackled one of the most unenviable tasks in soccer during 1996-97, taking on the job of defensive coach at Newcastle United. In the summer shake-up at St James' ,though, he found himself surplus to requirements and was signed up by Match Of The Day