At first glance, 42 Lynholme Road seems like any other three-bedroom semi-detached in Anfield. Take a closer look and there is a prominent omission outside this tidy but modest property 10 minutes walk from Liverpool’s stadium.

As a venue of cultural significance it ought to be decorated with a blue plaque courtesy of English Heritage.

“Joe Fagan lived here between 1958-2001,” should read the inscription. “Liverpool manager and founder member of the Boot Room.”

For 41 years as reserve coach to Bill Shankly, right-hand man to Bob Paisley and then manager, Fagan made the same short journey along the streets flanking Stanley Park directly to Anfield. “He could have been anyone: a regular guy out to pick up the papers or pint of milk. This was a treble-winning manager and Liverpool legend,” his co-biographer, and grandson, Andrew, puts it.

Liverpool’s pairing with Roma in the Champions League semi-final offers a timely opportunity to indulge in what Fagan himself would have found undesirable – a celebration of his exceptional but often neglected contribution to the Merseyside club and English football.

Even by Liverpool’s invigorating standards, his first of only two seasons as manager was unprecedented as he added the 1984 European Cup to the league championship and League Cup.