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Fourteen Liverpool heroes have been presented with retrospective league championship medals after an exhaustive process to recognise their efforts in helping the club get to 20 titles.
It used to be the case that a player needed to appear in 14 matches to qualify for a medal but, a few years ago, the EFL changed their rules and fell in line with the Premier League, who set the criteria at five appearances.
Clubs needed to make a written submission and finance the production of the medals themselves.
Liverpool also had to discuss with the players whether they actually wanted to be considered for gongs.
In recent years, Everton, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been able to ensure that those who featured in title-winning campaigns got their long overdue rewards and now Liverpool have been able to follow suit.
The list is extensive and includes giants such as Alan Kennedy (1985-86), David Fairclough (1982-83), David Hodgson (1983-84) and Jan Molby and Paul Walsh (both 1987-88); John Wark received two medals – he made nine appearances in 1983-84 and 1985/86, the season in which Liverpool won the League and FA Cup double.
Fourteen Liverpool heroes, including David Fairclough (back row, second from left) and Alan Kennedy front row, far right), have been presented with retrospective league championship medals
Arguably the most significant inclusion, however, was Ronny Rosenthal (holding trophy) for his efforts in the 1989/90 run-in
Arguably the most significant inclusion, however, was Ronny Rosenthal for his efforts in the 1989/90 run-in.
Rosenthal joined Liverpool from Standard Liege in March 1990 and was the first non-UK player to join an English club for £1million.
He became an instant cult hero and scored a perfect hat-trick – right-foot, left-foot, header – on his debut in a 4-0 win at Charlton and finished the campaign with seven goals in eight appearances.
It always felt remarkable that Rosenthal, whose influence in helping Liverpool win what was their 18th Championship, had never been given a medal but now that has been corrected.
Rosenthal's name featured proudly alongside names such as Terry McDermott (1975-76), Chris Lawler (1963-64), Alec Lindsay (1975-76), Colin Irwin (1979-80), Sammy Lee and Steve Heighway (both 1979-80)
The final member of the group carried particular poignancy, as it was presented to the family of Joey Jones.
The Wales international, who passed away earlier this summer, had made 13 appearances in the 1975/76 campaign.
Several of the 14 were presented with their medals by Sir Kenny Dalglish in a special, private ceremony at Anfield after the recent EFL Cup tie against Southampton.
From left to right: John Wark, David Hodgson, Paul Walsh, Ronny Rosenthal, Kenny Dalglish, Terry McDermott, Jan Molby, Alan Kennedy, Leon Lawler (son of Chris), David Fairclough and Liverpool executive Jonathan Bamber after the EFL game against Southampton
The final member of the group carried particular poignancy, as it was presented to the family of Joey Jones, who passed away earlier this summer
Jonathan Bamber, Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer at Liverpool Football Club, said: 'We're thrilled to have been able to celebrate this occasion at Anfield.
'It was an emotional night for many and it's a real honour to have been able to source and present league championship winner's medals to our Forever Reds.
'Their role in winning one or in one case two of our twenty league titles deserve a medal not only to mark their achievement but also for playing such a significant part in our club's decorated history for which we are immensely grateful.'
