Larry Lloyd fell victim to Bob Paisley’s grand Liverpool plan – then proved him wrong

In the autumn of 1976, Larry Lloyd, who has died aged 75, broke a bone in his foot while playing for newly-promoted Nottingham Forest. As cover, the club manager Brian Clough bought David Needham from Queens Park Rangers. And, with Needham outstanding at the heart of the defence, Forest’s astonishing rise continued unabated, their victory role in Lloyd’s absence including a 4-0 win at Manchester United. But the moment Lloyd was fit, Clough put him straight back in the team.