The Liverpool Supporters Club Malta are currently marking their 15th anniversary and for the occasion they are hosting a special guest, Alan Kennedy, a member of the great Reds side that won several honours in the late 1970s and 80s.
The former left-back yesterday met the local media in St Julian's before attending a reception, organised by the supporters club at their premises in Mosta.
Kennedy started playing first for Newcastle with whom he spent six seasons, reaching the 1974 FA Cup final against his future club Liverpool and losing that match 3-0. He suffered further cup heartache in 1976 when he was again on the losing side in the League Cup final against Manchester City.
However, Kennedy's fortunes changed dramatically in 1978 when he was signed by the legendary Liverpool manager Bob Paisley for £330,000 - a record fee for a left-back in those days. He quickly established himself in an impressive back-four that included some other greats such as Phil Neal and Alan Hansen.
With the Reds, Kennedy won five league championships, four League Cups, three Charity Shields and, most notably, two European Cup medals, in 1981 and 1984. That 1981 victory holds special significance for Kennedy as he scored the winner that helped Liverpool beat Spanish giants Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris.
"During my time at Anfield we established ourselves as the best team in the country with our traditional 4-4-2," Kennedy reminised.
"We didn't think too much about our opponents. There was so much self-belief that we always took the field determined to play our own way and our main goal was to push forward and score goals.
"Football in those days was easier to understand as emphasis was not so much on tactics. Now, players have to abide by their managers' orders. The secret behind Liverpool's success was unity in the group. Everyone played for each other and that made us a very difficult team to beat."
After leaving Liverpool, Kennedy joined Sunderland before moving to Belgium and Wales. Kennedy admitted that he would have loved to have followed in the footsteps of his former team-mate David Johnson who joined Naxxar Lions in the 1980s.
"Unfortunately in those days, Naxxar Lions were in search of a centre-forward and were in no need of a defender," Kennedy said with a smile.
"I would have loved to play in Malta but it was not to be."
Ray Xuereb link
Asked to name a player he felt was very difficult to mark Kennedy said Manchester United winger Steve Coppell and Everton's Trevor Stevens were the ones who showed the better qualities on the wing in those days.
However, he also mentioned Ray Xuereb as a player who impressed him most during his career.
"In the early 1970s, I came to Malta with Newcastle to play a friendly against Floriana at the old Empire Stadium," Kennedy said.
"The match finished 1-1 and I remember that I had a tough time trying to adapt to the hard ground and keep a watch on a certain Ray Xuereb. He had a great match and he impressed Newcastle so much that he was offered a trial.
"However, I'm told his family failed to settle in England and he had to return home before the trial was over. Pity, he had such great skills that player."
Kennedy's international career was very limited as he only made two appearances for England.
"During my time England had a very strong left-back in Kenny Sansom... he made the England shirt his," Kennedy said.
"I only managed two caps for England when Sansom was injured. When he recovered he was soon back first-choice.
"A few months later manager Bobby Robson phoned me up to inform me that my place in the squad was going to be taken by an interesting youngster who did not play in my position. That meant the end of my England career but I held no grudge for Robson as that newcomer was no other than Gary Lineker."
Looking at today's Liverpool, Kennedy said the side is slowly recovering after a disappointing start.
"The first part of the season was very poor by Liverpool's standards," Kennedy said.
"The team looks in better shape now and I'm confident that Liverpool will play in the Champions League next season. But, in my opinion, the club has to invest more in the squad to stay competitive."
Asked to pinpoint his favourite for the Premier League title this season, Kennedy didn't let his emotions influence his answer.
"I think United will win it this year," Kennedy said.
"I wouldn't be happy if they succeeded as they would surpass Liverpool in the number of league titles but for me they are still the best team.
"Wayne Rooney is having an unbelievable season and in my opinion he is by far the best forward in Europe at the moment. Chelsea are strong, too, but in the long run United will prevail again."