Liverpool’s 20 Greatest Players Of All Time | 2024

Liverpool, one of England’s elite clubs in European football, has over the years cemented its position as one of the best across the globe with a rich and intriguing footballing culture.

From the charismatic Dalglish to the inspirational Gerrard and many other legends that grazed the hollowed Anfield stadium, the club’s great players all etched their names in Liverpool’s folklore.

Before the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, the Kop was not known for consistently competing with the Premier League’s title favorites, like Manchester United and Arsenal during the era of Fergie and Wenger.

However, following the change of manager in 2015, Liverpool evolved into one of the Premier League favorites marked by the significant changes in manager and financial backing of the Fenway Sports Group.

While the remarkable success Liverpool had was in the European competition in recent times with the appointment of the German tactician, they’ve been able to also achieve success in the league.

Many of the world’s most talented footballers have been lucky enough to grace the Anfield turf, but only a few players are worthy to be considered legends.

1. Ian Rush – (Wale, 1980-86 & 1988-96)

• App: 660
• Goals: 346

You can’t talk about Liverpool’s worthy legends and not include Rush in the conversation, based on the sheer impact he had on the club with his intriguing performances throughout his first and second stints at Anfield.

Ian Rush was an amazing winger with predatory instincts that stood unmatched in the league during his time, scoring a record-breaking 346 goals in 660 appearances for the Kop.

2. Billy Liddell – (Scotland, 1938-1961)

• App: 534
• Goals: 228

The supremely talented “Billy Liddell” was everything that a professional footballer should be for the Kop during his time at the club with his impeccable talent.

The Scottish was scrupulously fair in the way he played and how loyal he was to both the fans and the club, a rare gesture that made him a fan favorite and legend at Liverpool.

Liddell played in an era where maximum wages and lower salary is been paid to players, however, that didn’t deter him from being one of the best in the history of the club.

3. Steven Gerrard – (England, 1998-2015)

• App: 710
• Goals: 186

Stevie G, as football enthusiasts often call him is arguably the greatest player in the history of Liverpool, revered for his loyalty, love, passion, and for often shouldering the responsibility of the club.

Gerrard was well renowned for his speed, raw power, clinical finishing, and leadership skills that stood him out among the rest throughout his stint at Anfield winning major trophies for Liverpool.

His journey with the club at a very young age made him a loyal servant to the club before he eventually left in 2015.

4. Kenny Dalglish – (Scotland, 1977-1990)

• App: 515
• Goals: 172

Famous, reliable, and industrious are the qualities that come with the name of the legendary forward throughout his journey with Liverpool.

Dalglish served the club both as a player and manager, playing 515 matches and scoring 172 goals before becoming a manager who saw the club through 307 games and winning 187 matches.

Kenny won several awards including the 1983 Ballon d’Or silver, PFA Player of the Year, and FWA Footballer of the Year in 1979 and 1983.

5. Mo Salah – (Egypt, 2017 to Date)

• App: 274
• Goals: 170

With Mo Salah still actively playing for Liverpool, he could end up being the Kop’s greatest player of all time considering his indelible mark at the club since he arrived in 2017.

Aside from becoming one of the most prolific forwards in European football, the Egyptian has consistently shown his one of the best in the history of the Premier League.

Salah has played over 274 games and scored an impressive 170 goals for the Kop, which could increase as time goes been the fact that he’s still playing actively.

6. Robbie Fowler – (England, 1993-2001 & 2006-2007)

• App: 369
• Goals: 183

So many lethal strikers in front of goal have been privileged to graze the Premier League with their talents, but not all of them were able to light up the league with goals as quickly as Fowler.

Robbie Fowler, alongside his younger teammate Michael Owen, formed a telepathic partnership spearheading the Reds attack before he moved on to Leeds United having played 369 games and scoring 183 goals.

7. John Barnes – (England, 1987-1997)

• App: 407
• Goals: 108

Another Liverpool legend who defies racism and immense prejudice in English football with his trailblazer talent, hard work, finesse, and elegance on the pitch.

If you reminisce about the golden era of Liverpool’s history, you can’t help but admire the sheer impact and undeniable love he had for the Kop on and off the pitch before he bid farewell to the fans.

During Barnes’s stint at Anfield between 1987 and 1997, scored an impressive 108 goals in 407 appearances helping Liverpool secure two league titles and one FA Cup.

8. Kevin Keegan – (England, 1971-1979)

• App: 323
• Goals: 100

Talk of relentless work ethic and never-say-die attitude on the pitch, Keegan was that player blessed with amazing qualities that stand him out among the rest during his generation.

Keegan’s extraordinary contributions to the beautiful game of football transcend English soil, because of his determination and skill set that helped him become a legendary figure at Anfield.

As a Liverpool player he didn’t only dazzle the fans with his breathtaking talent that won him two Ballon d’Or, he led the team to numerous domestic and European successes scoring a whooping 100 goals in 323 appearances.

9. Sadio Mane – (Senegal, 2016-2020)

• App: 269
• Goals: 120

Though Mane left Liverpool in an acrimonious situation, he stands as a legend of the club having established himself as one of the best forwards in the world throughout his stay at Anfield.

Mane featured in 269 games and scored 120 goals before he finally left to team up with Al-Nasr in the Saudi Arabian league where top footballers are currently heading now.

10. Ray Clemence – (England, 1967-1981)

• App: 665
• Goals: 0

Ray Clemence, recruited from Scunthorpe United in 1967 was the definition of what should be regarded as a loyal servant for his love and dedication for Liverpool.

Clemence’s agility, reflexes, and techniques in between the sticks were second to none, even when faced with seemingly impossible situations he often stood out with his performances.

His uncanny knack for keeping the ball out of the net, impact, and influence at the club not only solidified his legendary status but his goalkeeping prowess and skill-set also adhered him to the heart of fans throughout his stint at Anfield winning a total of 12 titles.

11. Roger Hunt – (England, 1958-1969)

• App: 492
• Goals: 285

Like Trent Alexander Arnold, Hunt was also one of Liverpool’s most brilliant youth system products that transformed the Kop from a second-division side to one of the dominant forces in English football.

His goal-scoring exploits which included 285 goals in 492 appearances helped Liverpool win their first-ever FA Cup and multiple league titles in an era where winning titles is common for top European clubs.

Aside been a player whose excellent positioning and deftness on the pitch is second to none, he’s also a well-renowned player who has a knack for brilliant finishing in front of the goal.

12. Micheal Owen – (England, 1996-2004)

• App: 297
• Goals: 158

With a fantastic pace reminiscent of Usain Bolt and an uncanny knack for goals, Micheal Owen scored a total of 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool from 1996 to 2004.

The legendary forward burst onto the scene at 17-year-old, scoring on his debut, and went on to become a legendary figure at Anfield before leaving for Real Madrid on a short stint having painted the Premier League with goals.

Aside been a clinical finisher who quickly established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers in world football, history still can’t forget the fact that he was the last English player to win a Ballon d’Or.

13. Luis Suarez – (Uruguay, 2011-2014)

• App: 110
• Goals: 69

Despite only spending three and half seasons at Liverpool, Luis Suarez left an indelible mark on the club with his breathtaking performances and impact in the Premier League.

Suarez joined the club in 2011 and quickly became a fan favorite due to his uncanny knack for goals, goals, and work-rate on the pitch for the Kop.

His thrilling performances for Liverpool, particularly in the season he scored 31 goals in 33 Premier League games made him cemented his status as a legend until he left for Barcelona in 2014.

14. Jaime Carragher – (England, 1996-2013)

• App: 857
• Goals: 3

You can’t mention one of Liverpool’s iconic defenders born in Bootie, and not talk about Jamie Carragher who became synonymous with unwavering commitment and passion.

The one club man embodied loyalty and dedication throughout his stay at Liverpool, inspiring his teammates and earning admiration from fans worldwide.

As a Kop legend, he retired as Liverpool’s second-highest appearance holder with 857 games with only one game behind Ian Callaghan, which saw him win lot of trophies at the club.

15. Ronnie Whelan – (Ireland, 1979-1994)

• App: 362
• Goals: 46

Whelan was an intelligent midfielder who used his excellent passing and ability to dazzle the Anfield fans throughout his stay at the club from 1979-1994.

He was a key component of Liverpool’s dominant sides in the 80s that won numerous domestic and European honors, underlining his importance to one of the most successful sides in English football.

Whelan’s performances were marked by consistency and reliability, with his uncanny knack for scoring crucial goals in big games setting him apart as one of the finest to grace the hollowed Anfield stadium.

16. Graeme Souness – (Scotland, 1978-1984)

• App: 247
• Goals: 34

Souness was a Scot great who achieved his greatest period of success as an integral part of the Liverpool team of the late 1970s and early 1980s, during which he won five first-division titles and three European Cups trophies.

The legendary midfielder was known for his robust tackles and superb distribution of the ball at Liverpool, where he was seen as the heartbeat of the team for many years.

His influence on and off the pitch was profound and even transcend the four walls of Liverpool, which makes him one of the club’s all-time legends.

17. Alan Hansen – (Scotland, 1977-1991)

• App: 434
• Goals: 8

The Scottish Alan Hansen is one of Liverpool’s finest defenders to ever graze the iconic Anfield with elegant ball-playing skills, a calm demeanor, and an excellent understanding of the game.

Throughout his 14-year stint at the club, he was one of the leadership figures in Liverpool’s dominant side of the late 70s and 80s that tormented English football with aplomb.

You can’t talk about former Liverpool players with unrivaled class and elegance on the ball, and not talk about Alan Hansen who established himself as one of the best defenders in the history of the club.

18. Sami Hyypia – (Finland, 1999-2009)

• App: 464
• Goals: 35

Hyypia spent a decade at Anfield and he instantly became a fan favorite that the fans still talk about to date considering his indelible mark off and on the pitch for Liverpool.

He moved to Liverpool in a deal considered a bargain now £2.6million, but he established himself in the first and went on to create a brilliant partnership with Stephane Henchoz in defense.

Hyypia won quite a lot of trophies with Liverpool before he left for Bayer Leverkusen in 2009, and as the first Finnish to captain the Anfield side, the fans still can’t forget about his impact on the club.

19. Steven McManaman – (England, 1990-1999)

• App: 364
• Goals: 66

Macca, as he’s commonly referred to by his fans is arguably the most decorated English player to have ever played outside the shores of England.

Before his move abroad McManaman spent nine years at Anfield, a club he joined at the age of 14 before he now made his debut at the age of 18.

McManaman’s impact in English football was so renowned that he was ranked the fifth youngest player to make 100 assists in the history of the Premier League.

10. Bruce Grobbelaar – (Zimbabwe, 1981-1994)

• App: 628
• Goals: 0

Grobbelaar is unarguably the greatest Zimbabwean to ever don the jersey of Liverpool, having played for the Anfield side from the 80s down to the 90s.

For those who didn’t see him play, he’s well renowned for his gymnastic athletic ability,  unwavering commitment, and confidence.

He won six league titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, and a European Cup Winners’Cup in his 14-year stint at the club.

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