The Fiver | Questionable rug-cutting from a hedonistic gang making merry

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When Liverpool won the title with one game to spare in 1982, it’s fair to say they took their foot off the gas. Before their final match of the campaign, an evening fixture at Middlesbrough, the squad was given official permission by Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan to have a couple of small lunchtime lifters in a local public bar in honour of their achievement. Paisley and Fagan meanwhile decamped to the team hotel, where they carefully worked their way through a bottle of Scottish wine. Liverpool played that night in a new style, perambulating around Ayresome Park in a most laid-back manner, only occasionally breaking into anything resembling a brisk stroll. Their management team appeared so unconcerned at this insouciant state of affairs that you’d have been forgiven for concluding they didn’t give a hoot. For the record, Liverpool were still good enough to hit the woodwork three times and eke out a goalless draw. Oh Boro!

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