Shankly took the team from the second division to FA cup winners

A series of open auditions are being held in the city on Saturday at the Joe Makin Centre on Pilgrim Street.

An Audience With Shankly celebrates the life and work of the man who managed Liverpool FC from 1959-74. It is a special commission for 2008.

The writer said the part calls for a good Scottish accent as well as Shankly's look and famed quick wit.

When Shankly joined Liverpool they were struggling in the Second Division. Two years later they won the division.

After promotion, they went on to win the First Division championship in 1964, 1966 and 1973, as well as FA Cups in 1965 and 1974.

Under his management Liverpool also won their first European trophy in 1973 - the UEFA Cup.

It feels like the build up to a big match this week as these auditions will decide, once and for all, who will play Bill Shankly Andrew Sherlock, writer

Shankly retired suddenly months later and was awarded the OBE in November of that year.

On Friday auditions took place in Glasgow and organisers said the standard was very high.

Writer Andrew Sherlock, himself a life-long Liverpool fan said: ''We've had a tremendous response since the call-out for anyone who felt they could play the man himself.

"We've been inundated with applications from performers and fans alike.

"It feels like the build up to a big match this week as these auditions will decide, once and for all, who will play Bill Shankly.''