Liverpool Football Club have had so many great players (not to mention managers), that it’s impossible to make up a list that everyone will agree with. Here’s what I think (I haven’t considered current players so Stevie G, Carra etc. are not included);
Billy Liddell (Winger/Forward, 1938-1960) Appearances: 53 Goals: 229
Liddell joined Liverpool Football Club as a 15 year old in 1930 and remained at the club until 1960. Primarily a left winger, he also excelled as a striker. Such was his influence that during the 1950’s Liverpool were nicknamed “Liddellpool”. He was voted Liverpool’s sixth most influential player of all time in a 2006 poll.
Bill Shankly (Manager, 1959-1974)
One of the greatest managers in the history of English football. Appointed in 1959, Shankly transformed Liverpool from a struggling Second Division side to a powerhouse of English and European football. During his tenure Liverpool won 3 league championships, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup. Shankly retired in 1974, having laid the groundwork for Liverpool’s most successful era.
Ian St John, (Forward, 1961-1971) Appearances: 426 Goals: 118
Bought from Motherwell in 1961, St. John quickly became a crowd favourite by scoring on his debut against Everton. A wonderful header of the ball despite being only 5”7, “The Saint” formed a lethal striking partnership with Roger Hunt. Moved to Coventry in 1971 having won two league titles and an FA Cup with Liverpool.
Roger Hunt (Striker, 1959-1970) Appearances: 492 Goals: 286
Holds the Liverpool record for most league goals as well as the single season goal scoring record. His partnership with Ian St. John was a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success during the sixties. Won two league titles and an FA Cup medal before moving to Bolton in 1970.
Bob Paisley (Manager, 1974-1983)
Paisley’s achievements surpassed even those of the great Bill Shankly. After reluctantly taking over as manager in 1974, the former Liverpool skipper delivered 6 league titles, 3 European Cups, 3 League Cups and the UEFA Cup during his nine years in charge. After his retirement Paisley was appointed a director of Liverpool Football Club.
Tommy Smith (Defender, 1962-1978) Appearances: 637 Goals: 48
Usually remembered as a hard man, which distracts from his skill and subtlety as a player. Smith was the first Liverpool captain to lift a European trophy (the UEFA Cup in 1973). Won 4 league titles, 2 FA Cups, 2 UEFA Cups and the European Cup. Left to join Swansea in 1978.
Emlyn Hughes (Defender, 1967-1979) Appearances: 665 Goals: 48
The first captain of Liverpool Football Club to win the European Cup. An inspirational central defender who also chipped in with some spectacular goals. Hughes won 4 league titles, 2 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups and the FA Cup, before moving to Wolves in 1979.
Ray Clemence (Goalkeeper, 1968-1981) Appearances: 666
Clemence joined Liverpool from Scunthorpe in 1968, and made his senior debut in 1969. Over the next 12 years he collected twelve trophies and kept an amazing 335 clean sheets before moving to Tottenham in 1981.
Kevin Keegan (Striker, 1971-1977) Appearances: 323 Goals: 100
Formed a deadly strike partnership with John Toshack which helped Liverpool to 3 League titles, two UEFA Cups, a European Cup and an FA Cup. Keegan scored 100 goals for Liverpool before a move to SV Hamburg, where he was twice named European Footballer of the Year.
Kenny Dalglish, (Forward, 1977-1990) Appearances: 515 Goals: 172
Regarded by most Reds fans as the greatest player to ever represent Liverpool Football Club. Signed from Celtic in 1977, Dalglish soon won the fans over by scoring seven minutes into his debut. Never the quickest, Dalglish compensated with superb ball control and speed of thought. His time at the club saw Liverpool win 13 major trophies, including 3 League titles as player/manager. Dalglish quit as Liverpool manager in 1991, and later managed Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title.
Alan Hansen, (Defender, 1977-1990) Appearances: 623 Goals: 13
A skillful, elegant, centre half whose skill and vision was as effective setting up attacks as stopping the opposition. Hansen won an incredible eight league titles and three European Cups during his time at Anfield. He retired due to injury in 1990 and is now a respected football pundit.
Ian Rush, (Striker, 1980-1987 & 1988-1996) Appearances: 660 Goals: 346
Liverpool’s all-time record goalscorer. Rush had two spells with the club split by a season spent with Juventus (1987-88). During his Liverpool career he won 5 league titles, 5 League Cups, 3 FA Cups and the European Cup. Later played for Leeds and Newcastle.
Robbie Fowler, (Striker, 1992-2001 & 2006-2007) Appearances: 369 Goals: 183
Fowler was known by the Kop simply as “God”. An instinctive striker, he made his senior debut in 1993, aged just 18, and finished the season as top goalscorer. He scored 30 in each of the following three seasons. In 2000, he was made Liverpool captain and in 2001 led the team to an unprecedented treble of League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup. Sold to Leeds in November 2001, he later played for Manchester City, before returning to the Reds in 2006.
Gary Walker is the editor of The-Football-Club.com, the complete resource on English football. Here’s more about the Liverpool football club. Copyright: You may freely republish this article provided the text, author credits, active links and this notice remain intact.
Hicks and Gillette should sell Liverpool Football Club to someone richer? Who agrees?
Liverpool have no money.
Hicks and Gillette should sell.
Who agrees with me?
Answer
Agree, but don’t think there will be one who will buy at an exorbitant fee.
If you desire to go on a tour of the Liverpool Club at Anfield then visit the booking site to check availability.
