Profile

The promising career of Liverpool's classy full-back Jim Beglin was cut short by multiple injuries, but not before he helped the Reds to their first league and FA Cup double in 1986.

As a 19-year-old left-back plying his trade in Ireland for Shamrock Rovers, Beglin seemed to be bound for Arsenal before a late swoop from Liverpool secured his services on loan. Just 10 days later in May 1983, Bob Paisley had seen enough of his tough tackling and impressive range of passing to part with £20,000 and make him a permanent acquisition.

Beglin was to be Paisley's last signing as manager and his successor, Joe Fagan, opted to blood the young full-back in the first team gradually. In November 1984 he was called up for his First Division debut, playing in left midfield in a 1-1 draw against Southampton at Anfield.

It was the following season when the Irishman really came to the fore, opening his goalscoring account on his European debut in April 1985 against Panathinaikos in the semi-finals of the European Cup. With Kenny Dalglish now at the helm, Beglin emerged as Liverpool's first choice left-back, soon replacing Alan Kennedy in the No.3 shirt. He made 53 appearances for the Reds during the 1985-86 season as the team claimed a league and FA Cup double - with Everton second best in both competitions.

With 15 Republic of Ireland caps to his name, things were looking good for him both domestically and internationally before his left leg was badly broken in a Littlewoods Cup derby at Goodison in January 1987. In comments he later claimed to regret making, Beglin's Liverpool teammate Alan Hansen described the offending tackle from Everton's Gary Stevens as 'a mile high and an hour late'.

His time at Anfield came to a close soon after he sustained a knee cartilage injury during a reserve match in October 1988. After brief spells with Leeds United, Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers, a recurrence of his cartilage troubles forced him into early retirement in 1991 at the age of 27.

Beglin has since joined many of his Liverpool contemporaries in the world of media punditry. He currently works for ITV in the UK as well as RTÉ in his native Ireland.

Other clubs:
Shamrock Rovers, Leeds, Plymouth Argyle (loan), Blackburn (loan)