[2][3] Originally a left-back, Moran signed professional terms for manager Don Welsh in January 1952 and subsequently made his debut in a 3–2 defeat at Derby County on 22 November 1952, at the age of 18 years.
The Reds were languishing in the Second Division at this time but Moran, a good marker who was rarely beaten by a winger for pace and was also something of a penalty expert, proved himself a consistent performer missing only six games between 1955 and 1959.
Injury problems then began to set in and he missed out to Gerry Byrne for the left-back slot in the 1965 FA Cup Final win over Leeds United.
In a spectacularly successful period for the club he was a fine, loyal servant working first under Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and then Kenny Dalglish, and later for Graeme Souness and Roy Evans.
When Dalglish sensationally announced his resignation as manager in February 1991, Moran was installed as caretaker boss, a role he occupied for only ten games.
Along with Bob Paisley, he had filled every role imaginable at the club from player, to physio, to coach and trainer, through to manager, and kit man.