Quite simply, Liverpool FC are the most successful team in English football history. Nobody has won more trophies and perhaps this is best demonstrated by their impressive European Cup record – winning it 5-times, making them the third most successful side in the competitions history. With such an illustrious past, Liverpool have had some of the most famous names in British football wear the famous all red strip, particularly during the 70′s and 80′s when they dominated both home and abroad. in more recent times, they have often added a touch of continental class to their ranks, but will any be included in this first-11 – or at least get an honourable mention? Who, out of the plethora of British stars to represent the club so rich in histroy, will make the cut?
If you had to create an ultimate team to represent your club’s colours, choosing only the bare 11 players, who would make the cut?
Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Leave your comments below!
First up: Liverpool F.C.
GK: Ray Clemence (1967 – 1981)
Clemence is one of English footballs most decorated goalkeepers from his period with the Red’s winning 5 leagues titles, 3 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups and the FA Cup all in a 9-year period. His remarkable consistency, athleticism, positional sense and quick reactions saw him come to Liverpool’s rescue many times during a highly successful period, saving vital penalties and denying goalscoring opportunities. This also led him to break numerous records including conceding the least amount of goals in one season (16) and only 4 at Anfield. During his Liverpool career he kept an outstanding 335 clean sheets in 665 appearances.
RB: Phil Neal (1974 – 1985)
As with Clemence, Neal is also one of English footballs most decorated players winning 8 league titles and an astounding 4 European Cups for the Red’s, scoring three in two of those finals (albeit twice during a penalty shoot-out). He scored an impressive 60 goals during his time at Anfield – all from his roving fullback position. Energetic but composed, he was often the source of many attacks during the most successful period in Liverpool’s history.
CB: Ron Yeats (1961 – 1971)
The Scotsman was captain for 10 years and was a tower at the heart of the defence which began Liverpool’s transformation from division two also-rans, into the world famous club they are now. It all started under Bill Shankly’s guidance who famously claimed Yeats to be ‘7ft tall!’ on signing him.
CB: Alan Hansen (1977 – 1991)
Probably Liverpool’s best ever defender, ‘Jockey’, as he was affectionately known as to his teammates, was a rare breed of defender, particularly coming from the British Isles – indeed many would compare him to Franz Beckenbauer in his playing style. It is perhaps best left to the great Bob Paisley who summed him up best: ‘Alan Hansen is the defender with the pedigree of an international striker. He is quite simply the most skilful centre-half I have ever seen in the British game. He is a joy to watch. Alan has always been an excellent footballer, a beautifully balanced player who carries the ball with control and grace. He has a very measured, long stride and is much faster than he looks. He has both the ability and the patience to launch attacks from deep positions.’
CB/LB: Emlyn Hughes (1967 – 1979)
Hughes has legitimate claims to slotting in at two other positions in this team, such was his versatility. He started out as a midfielder but made his name at centre-back, although he occupied the full-back position at times for both club and country, to brilliant effect. Hughes was fiercely strong and had immense stamina, coupled with bucket-loads of enthusiasm which led to his nickname: Crazy Horse. Hughes is also the only Liverpool captain to have lifted the European Cup twice…in successive years – a feat very few players have achieved in the history of the game.
RW/LW: Steve Heighway (1970 – 1981)
‘Stevie Heighway on the wing…’ as the song goes, Heighway is surely Liverpool’s finest ever right-winger. Pace, crossing precision, and an unorthodox dribbling style saw him leave many a defender trailing in his wake as he flew up the right-hand side of the pitch for over a decade at the club. Never a great goalscorer, he instead provided many a chance for the likes of Keegan, Toshack, and later Dalglish.
CM: Steven Gerrard (1998 – )
Current captain and homegrown, Gerrard has become a Liverpool legend through many immense displays and coming to the teams rescue on numerous occasions. The fact that he makes this team, despite the fact he has yet to win a league title, tells you how great of a player he has been. He has also not benefitted, like the others on this list, from playing in truly outstanding sides – which is more to his credit. Gerrard can do it all; pass, shoot, tackle, score – and does so to such levels, that he has even been voted Liverpool’s second-greatest ever player.
CM: Graeme Souness (1978 – 1984)
A player in the Gerrard mould, Souness was infinitely more fearsome during his time. Opposition would panic when lining up to face him, but Souness was so much more than intimidation; he was a tremendous passer of a ball as well as being a scorer of some fantastic goals. He is also yet another Liverpool captain to lift a European Cup.
LW: John Barnes (1987 – 1997)
Probably Liverpool’s most technically gifted and skilful player ever, John Barnes oozed class from the moment he pulled on a red shirt. He was the attacking star in one of the most exciting, attack-minded, flair-filled teams seen on English shores, and it was a shame that he (and that team) were unable to pit their wits against Europe’s finest – which is possibly why he isn’t held in higher regard around the world.
F: Kenny Dalglish (1977 – 1990)
The King. It is as simple as that. Kenny Dalglish is Liverpool’s greatest ever player. From his deeper-lying forwards position he provided numerous assists to whoever he played alongside. That understanding bordered on telepathic when the person he played alongside was Ian Rush. Dalglish could also score goals, and score them he did from all kinds of positions and angles. Not only a great goalscorer, but a scorer of great goals as the saying goes.
F: Ian Rush (1980 – 1987 & 1988 – 1996)
Who else could you put upfront for Liverpool other than their greatest ever goalscorer? Who else could you put in a forward line to partner Kenny Dalglish? Nobody, that’s who. Pace, goals and workrate – Rush had an abundance of all three, and was probably summed up best by the many commentators who saw him play: ‘Rush….goal!’
Honourable mentions and unlucky to make the team are:
Bruce Grobbelaar, Alan Kennedy, Sami Hyypia, Billy Liddell, Terry McDermott, Xabi Alonso, Ian St.John, Roger Hunt, Kevin Keegan, Robbie Fowler
Nice article, refreshing site design and style, keep up the great work
Totally agree with the team apart from one change, I would put Sami Hyypia in for Yates! As much as Yates was a hard man and would do a great job I still rate Sami as one of the best centre backs LFC as ever had with an extra bonus that he cost next to nothing! :-> YNWA