Liverpool FC Forum

[alessandromagno]

For anyone who truly remembers Keegan would have to be in any top 5 of players who shook the kop. Roger Hunt was before my time, but he was a goal machine and still holds the Liverpool record for league goals scored.

[Espionage]

Basically I have only been following Liverpool for about 3 seasons (go ahead judge me,) and watched EPL highlights show for about a year before that, so my choice of 5 is pretty limited. 



It has been a good history lession reading about all 100 players though.....

typo.........

[stmichael]

and the press boys now have there say !!!!

david maddock says

1. Kenny Dalglish

What can you say about King Kenny? Class, class and class. Rab C. Nesbit apart, he is the greatest Scotsman that ever lived, and, had he been playing for a world class national team, he would undoubtedly have rivalled Pele, George Best and Johan Cruyff for the title of the greatest-ever footballer.

2. Emlyn Hughes

The greatest skipper Liverpool ever had and the most charismatic player who ever wore the red shirt. It is a shame that his stirring deeds don't get the credit they deserve at Anfield - maybe they can erect a statue of him at the new stadium.

3. Joey Jones

Only two years at Anfield, and clearly not the most talented player ever to have graced the Liverpool shirt, but what he lacked in technique, he more than compensated in passion and desire. His role in securing Liverpool's first European Cup has become legend - a true hero, well, a hero of mine at least.

4. Roger Hunt

So hard to choose between him and fellow Anfield legends Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler, but Sir Roger gets it because of his role in transforming Liverpool into one of the giants of English football, and for being the only Red to win a World Cup (if you don't count Bernard Diomede). And he lived near me nan!

5. Graeme Souness

Possibly the most complete midfield player there has been. Skill, strength, style, shot, he could do anything. His mixture of technique and aggression - some would say pure, unadulterated nastiness - sets him above any other player in his position.

ian kennady says

1. Kenny Dalglish

Dalglish remains the best British player I've ever seen, and although I never saw Liddell, I would have to guess that Kenny is the best player ever to play for Liverpool. Kenny was a fantastic goalscorer, especially in his early years at Anfield. The winning goal in the 1978 European Cup final against Bruges also highlighted the great finesse he had as a player. Magnificent with his back to goal, he was strong and as brave as they come. Going on to win the double as a player-manager is something we may never see again.

2. Steven Gerrard

In polls like this I tend to be quite nostalgic, but Gerrard has to be in the top 5. So crucial to Liverpool in so many ways, his goals on the big occasion alone merit his inclusion. To score in FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Cup, and Champions League finals is a remarkable feat and his inspirational performances in Istanbul and Cardiff will long be remembered. An outstanding midfielder.

3. Graeme Souness

Graeme was a brilliant Liverpool captain, fearless, sometimes fearsome, but all with a wonderfully silky touch. He was pivotal to Liverpool's domination of domestic and European football in the early '80s, and like Gerrard, was capable of magnificent long-range goalscoring. A great passer of the ball and inspirational to the players around him.

4. Kevin Keegan

Keegan was Liverpool's star player from 1971 to 1977, not bad in a team of so many great players. A tireless runner, goalscorer and all-round superstar, his performance in Rome against Moenchengladbach, and his double in the 1974 FA Cup final underlined his importance to the club.

5. Ray Clemence

It's easy to overlook goalkeepers, but Clemence gave Liverpool the solidity they needed to prosper throughout the '70s. Clemence could always be called upon to make a vital save at any given moment. His penalty save in the UEFA Cup final in '73 proved crucial, and his record in the 1978-9 season are just two examples of his ability and importance. A calming influence and a great keeper.

henry winter says

1. Kenny Dalglish

Kenny had great vision, touch, and determination. A pure genius.

2. Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool captain has dynamite in his boots and hunger in his heart, the full footballing package.

3. Graeme Souness

A wonderful mix of elegance and menace.

4. Ian Rush

A nerveless finisher and also a great team player.

5. John Barnes

High-speed, high-class.

guillem balague says

1. Kenny Dalglish

Kenny has to be number one for me just for his vision and very quick with his thinking. The best Liverpool player of all time.

2. Robbie Fowler

I love Fowler. Probably the most natural finisher I've ever seen.

3. Steven Gerrard

For me he has all the ingredients to become one of the best players ever.

4. Graeme Souness

Competitive, hard as nails and everything a midfielder should be.

5. Jan Molby

I have a soft spot for Jan. He was the type of player we loved in Spain, intelligent and a great passer of the ball

tony barrett says

1. Kenny Dalglish

The greatest team player of all time. Blessed with sublime talent and wonderful vision, Dalglish could have graced any side in any era. I'll be forever grateful that I saw King Kenny when he was in his pomp and if I could go back in time and watch one player perform it would be Kenny. European Cup winning goals, a vision that most other players could not even dream of matching and a commitment to the team ethic that meant he allowed others to shine, Dalglish remains Liverpool's finest ever player. And that's without mentioning the dignity which sets him apart as a human being and made him the embodiment of the much fabled Liverpool Way. A genius in the true sense of the word.

2. Billy Liddell

I never got to see 'King Billy' but everything I know of him and everything I've been told of him by those who saw him play makes me believe he is second only to one man in the Kop popularity stakes. And if I hadn't put Liddell in the top three my old fella would have disowned me. It takes something special to become a genuine hero when a team is struggling and Liddell undoubtedly managed that. One of only two players to turn out for the Great Britain XI twice, the other being Stanley Matthews, Billy Liddell is an Anfield legend who deserves to be ranked alongside Shankly, Paisley and Dalglish.

3. Ian Rush

The goalscorer supreme. The man who broke Dixie Dean's longstanding derby goalscoring record and thousands of Evertonians hearts on so many occasions. What more could a Liverpudlian ask for? But it wasn't just Rush's goals that made him special. His work rate was second to none and he turned defending from the front into an art form. The Liverpool sides of the 1980s were special and Rush was one of the main reasons for this. Robbie Fowler is the only man since who can match Rush's ability as a goalscorer but the Welshman's continuous trophy winning interventions give him then edge.

4. Graeme Souness

Steven Gerrard with added steel. A midfield general who struck fear into the hearts of opponents and a captain who led Liverpool to glory at home and abroad. If you wanted a Liverpool player from any generation to fight on your behalf it would be Souness. Best described as the iron fist in a velvet glove, Souness was that perfect mix of silk and steel. As was so often the case, Bob Paisley knew exactly what he was doing when he made the Scotsman captain and he went on to become the greatest skipper Liverpool have ever had.

5. John Barnes

Quite simply the finest winger I've ever seen in a red shirt. The heartbeat of the 87/88 Liverpool side that played football in a manner that would not have been out of place at the Maracana. It's fair to say Liverpool haven't had a winger in Barnes' class since the days when he used to dance down the left, making full backs look foolish and creating and scoring goals. His combination play with Peter Beardsley and John Aldridge was a joy to behold and it was a privilege to have seen Barnes in his prime.

paul walker says

1. Ian Rush

The most lethal striker the club has ever seen, 347 goals, 660 games, a genius in the penalty area.

2. Steven Gerrard

An all-purpose modern footballer who would have got into any of Liverpool's great sides from the past.

3. Roger Hunt

A World Cup winner with England in 1966 and a master striker in the Shankly years.

4. Robbie Fowler

Quite simply the most instinctive finisher of his generation.

5. Tommy Smith

You wouldn't want to argue with him now, let alone when he was playing. Personified the Liverpool spirit.

oliver kay says

1. Kenny Dalglish

Who else could it be? When I was growing up, everyone dreamed of being Kenny Dalglish, and that's at a time when there was no great hype about individual players. No praise is high enough for what he achieved as player and manager for Liverpool - or indeed as a man, helping the families cope in the aftermath of Hillsborough. A highlights package can't do him justice. Just look at what Liverpool won after that period and look who was at the centre of everything. Immortalised by the fans in 'The Fields of Anfield Road' and rightly so. Quite simply the best and most influential player in the club's history. And that's saying something.

2. Steven Gerrard

A lot of polls like this tend to reflect current thinking rather than a historical context, but it isn't stretching it to say that Gerrard will be remembered as an all-time great at Liverpool for what he has achieved over the past few years. If I was a kid growing up in 50 years time and I read about this guy, I'd be gobsmacked. The will-he/won't-he transfer sagas have probably added to that aura, to be honest. Can you imagine if he'd left in 2004 or 2005? He'd have been remembered as a good player who could have been a Liverpool legend but ruined it all by walking out. Thank goodness he didn't. It's hard to think of a player who has shaken the Kop so often in recent times and in such a variety of ways. And the great thing is that he's still only 26 and he still hasn't reached his full potential.

3. Graeme Souness

Only made it to number nine in the actual poll, which is probably down to what happened after he returned to the club as manager in 1991. He only ever seemed to shake the Kop for a lot of the wrong reasons after that. But if you simply look at his playing career, he was magnificent - not so much the Steven Gerrard of his day but maybe a cross between Roy Keane and Xabi Alonso - and, like Dalglish, at the forefront of the most successful British team of all time.

4. John Barnes

If you were being hyper-critical, you could make a case for saying that Barnes only ever had two truly great seasons for Liverpool, the title-winning campaigns of 1988 and 1990. But when I say they were truly great seasons, I mean that. I've never seen an attacking player produce so much brilliance over the course of a season before or since. Thierry Henry for Arsenal is the only one I can think of who has come close. He was just an incredible player for Liverpool. I still find it bizarre that he struggled for England but, more than that, he was an influential one in terms of ridding Anfield of the spectre of racism in the 1980s.

5. Ian Rush

The heart says Robbie Fowler, who is a Liverpool legend in his own right, but I've got to go for Rush. Three hundred and forty-seven goals in 660 appearances - incredible. I was always more of a Dalglish man, but I remember being devastated the day Rush left for Juventus and ecstatic the day he came back. I don't think he ever quite captured the hearts of Liverpool fans in the way that Fowler did, but I've got to have him in the top five simply because of the number of goals he scored, which helped the most successful Liverpool team ever become the most successful British team ever.

chris bascombe says

1. Kenny Dalglish

Nearly 20 years after he stopped playing, and 15 since he ended his association with the club, he's still known as 'King Kenny'. Every great player Liverpool sign is compared to him, and with the exception of Gerrard, none have even come close. Dalglish didn't just shake The Kop when he was here, his impact still gets Anfield shuddering. He remains the epitome of everything great and worthy of celebration at Liverpool FC.

2. Steven Gerrard

The Kop is probably still shaking from the impact of his winning goal against Olympiacos in 2005. Simply put, without Steven Gerrard Liverpool wouldn't have won the Champions League or last year's FA Cup final. Yes, it's a team game and there were other hugely important factors in those victories, but football is all about inspirational players seizing the moment and leading their team across the line which separates failure from greatness. Without the backing of the world class team mates his predecessors in the '70s and '80s had, Gerrard has carried a huge weight on shoulders, and maintaining impeccable standards on the pitch while growing up before an often unforgiving public is never easy. In years to come, he may be regarded the greatest Liverpool player of all. Without him, the recent history of the club would have been a lot bleaker.

3. John Barnes

Racism was rife across all football stadiums in the 1970s and 1980s, and although romantics may argue otherwise, Anfield was no exception. Barnes wasn't just a brilliant footballer, socially and politically he changed attitudes on The Kop more than another Liverpool player before or since. The club's first regular black player became an instant hero during a season the Reds played some of the best football England has ever seen. Although he could never completely eradicate bigotry, he succeeded in forcing racist chanting into the shadows, to the point where those who indulge in such vile behaviour are now considered a minority. More than this, Barnes was also one of the finest players to ever wear a red shirt. His goals and performances maintained Liverpool's place at the summit of English football. Liverpool have never replaced him, with the void on the wing as glaring now as it was the day he vacated his favoured position to extend his career in central midfield."

4. Ian Rush

Scorer of many of the most important and celebrated goals in the club's history. The greatest striker the club has ever had. Nemesis of Everton and Wembley specialist. Nowadays, strikers who score 20 goals a season are considered prolific. The fact Rush averaged in the thirties at his peak sums up what a genius he was. His partnership with Kenny Dalglish was unrivalled, and his capacity for being in the right place at the right time was responsible for Liverpool's annual trophy collecting. His greatest moment has to be 1986, when his crucial goals, many late on, sealed the league points and cup victories which took Liverpool to an unprecedented double. The destruction of the Blues in '86 and '89 cemented his legendary status. Where Everton will always mention Dixie Dean, Liverpool will always have Ian Rush.

5. Robbie Fowler

There wasn't much to get excited about at Liverpool in the mid 1990s. Average players, mediocre league placings and managerial upheaval dominated the agenda. Then Robbie Fowler came along and made everyone believe in God again. His debut goal at Fulham kick started a four-year goalscoring spell which even eclipsed the goal ratio of Roger Hunt and Ian Rush. Fowler scored his first 100 goals quicker than that duo. But it was also the manner he scored his goals which was so exciting. Tap-ins, audacious chips, screamers from 25 yards with either foot, or bullet headers - this was a teenager who seemed to have no weakness. His cheekiness and swagger also cultivated the image of the scouser who'd taken street football to the top of the English game - and The Kop worshipped him for it. Sadly, Fowler's peak came early in his career, as a succession of injuries cruelly deprived him of the opportunity to rival Hunt and Rush at the top of the goalscoring list. Sold by Gerard Houllier - who never saw the same player the fans had grown to love – Fowler's emotional return last season underlined the unique relationship he has with the club. Even when he was wearing a Leeds and Manchester City top, he was still a Liverpool player. His story isn't over yet, and Fowler will be desperate to ensure he shakes The Kop to its core again before he bows out for the last time."

[account deleted by request]

There is only one there that I would argue definitely dont deserve a place, Joey Jones - a great charactor but not a good footballer. Never really let liverpool down but was very limited ability wise.

[lou93]

1. kenny daglish
2. Ian rush
3. Steve gerrard
4. John Barnes
5. Robiie fowler

[stmichael]

all video's here:

http://www.youtube.com/results....the+kop

[BOODIDDY]

my top five

1= King Kenny
2= Stevie G
3= Rushie
4= Barnes
5= Shared between Souness and my fave Molby.

[mattylfc]

My top five based on live viewing.

1. Stevie G
2. John Barnes
3. Ian Rush
4. Robbie Fowler
5. Steve Nicol

Obviously there are great players like kenny G, souness, keegan, hughes etc but i really dont feel i have enough basis to argue their corner other than video footage.

Found it really hard to put John Barnes second as he has always been a firm favourite of mine but Stevie G is just immense.

[66-1112520797]

And Steve Nicol too, not flashy by any means but nobody  gave any more than him.

and to quote the quote king of c#ck-ups Kevin Keegan

"Steve Nicol never gives more than 120 per cent."   

[account deleted by request]

I wanted another go so this is my best 5 players I have seen live :-

Dalglish
Souness
Keegan
Stjohn
Hughes

I always liked players with passion and comitment who were willing to run till they dropped for Liverpool. I may have Souness too high ,but just look at our record while he was playing for us!

[stmichael]

john barnes was the best player i ever saw live. he just made the game look absolutely effortless and from 1987-90, must have been the best winger in the world.

fowler 1995-97 was also the most exceptional finsher in europe.

oh yeah and that gerrard chap aint half bad either.

personally, king kenny has to be number 1 because he was widely acknowledged as the greatest player ever to wear the shirt.

[redhayesy]

this has been a real eye opener for me, having watched LFC most weeks in the late 70"s +  most of the 80"s (when it was only £3.00 to stand on the kop) i can"t believe the way the voting has gone! ie- jimmy case only made number 45, ray kennedy only made number 28, kevin keegan only made number 8, as for peter beardsley to only make number 19 is
beyond me ! & to rub salt in my woonds craig johnston came in at number 59 i am lost for words these players were awsome to watch live ! all individually walked on water for me i have to many memories of all these players to share with you, but for anyone who wasn"t privaliged to have watched these players please believe me they have given me some of the best days of my life!! as for the top 5 = here goes, no doubt about number 1 it has to be kenny, number 2 rushy, 3 fowler, 4 stevie g, 5 barnesy, just to finish with ,crazy horse only came in at number10, & garcia finished above tommy smith i rest my case.

[account deleted by request]

Rafa, Rick and Brian's picks :-

Rafael Benitez
Liverpool FC Manager
 
The internet is a good thing because it enables supporters from all over the world to follow the club and take part in polls like this.
 
From my point of view, it’s not easy to select five because I’m young and haven’t seen all of the club’s former players. Maybe there are some I haven’t thought about.
 
I would select Kenny Dalglish as my first choice because he was a great player with a lot of qualities and then after that, without putting them in order, I’d go for Kevin Keegan, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush.
 
Rick Parry
LFC Chief Executive
 
Without wanting to list them in any order, these are the names which would make up my top five LFC players.
 
Kenny Dalglish
 
Kenny was a magnificent player by any analysis and one of the all-time greats. He was playing in my era as well so he'd have to be in the list.
 
Ian Callaghan
 
He was, and still is, a fantastic ambassador for Liverpool Football Club and, for me, epitomised the real values of the club.
 
Steven Gerrard
 
I'd usually hesitate to list any current players but Steven has to be in there. He's a great player, he's Liverpool through and through and hopefully he'll be here for many years to come.
 
Ray Clemence
 
As an aspiring goalkeeper myself, he was an inspiration to me as a youngster. He was somebody I really looked up to and really admired.
 
Bruce Grobbelaar
 
Bruce was a different character to Ray but he was still a great goalkeeper. He needed a big personality to take over from Ray in the Liverpool goal but he did it his own way and made a big impression.
 
Brian Hall
LFC Public Relations Manager
 
1. Kenny Dalglish
 
As a former professional footballer very little ever took me by surprise when watching football matches from the stand. Kenny Dalglish could see a pass, could see a shot that I couldn't see from the stand. Kenny Dalglish was undoubtedly the most amazing footballer I have ever seen at Anfield.
 
2. Ian Callaghan
 
Anyone who can play 800 games with a top class club like Liverpool has to be one of the most outstanding players in any list of greats. Not only did Cally play so many games but most of them were outstanding as well. Ian's contribution to the successes of this great club will never be underestimated.
 
3. Ron Yeats
 
Bill Shankly's first signing became the cornerstone for all the ambitions that Shanks had for our great club. Ron's contribution was colossul from those wonderful days in the 60's when the club came from the second division to the powerful force in Europe we became. Shanks described Ron as the 'Colossus', few would argue.
 
4. Ray Clemence
 
A good pal of mine but also the best goalkeeper that I have ever seen play at Anfield. His contribution to the successes of the club were immense, but as a goalkeeper his contributions were sometimes never properly recognised.
 
5. Billy Liddell
 
I never saw him play but the man was a legend and he played an integral part in me becoming a Liverpool player. I can never thank him enough.


I was relieved to see Rafa picked Gerrard

[112-1077774096]

obviously a lot of later players will be voted for because a lot of voters will be young and not able to remember the legends playing.

i am lucky to have been brought up in the heady days of the 70s and 80s and remember some fantastic players. i will vote for these players obviously but wont vote for hunt or liddel as i dont remember them, thats how the voting goes guys.


1.  Dalglish
2.  Barnes
3.  Rush
4.  Hughes
5.  Smith

i think they all speak for themselves, Dalglish the greatest player ever to pull on our shirt, Barnes the best winger in the world at the time, a fantastic talent. Rush the greatest forward ever to wear the red shirt. Hughes his passion was unmatchable, he was a great servant to the club and led us to some great achievments. Smith, this guy is a legend, a lot of people overlook his playing ability and concetrate on the fear he would put into the oposition jjust picture him leaping like a salmon in Rome in 77 and crashing that header home.


this is hard to be honest because there are so many legends at our great club. when i was a kid in the 70s i used to think they were all 10 feet tall and i was surprised when fairclough came to present medals to my junior team that he was normal size, at the ground when i went to games as a child they all seemed like giants.

even know as i type names come into my head, hansen, case, mcdermott, kennedy, callaghan, heighway, fowler, keegan, clemence, whelan, etc etc etc, i could go on all day

never forget how lucky we are to support this fantastic club

[account deleted by request]

obviously a lot of later players will be voted for because a lot of voters will be young and not able to remember the legends playing.

i am lucky to have been brought up in the heady days of the 70s and 80s and remember some fantastic players. i will vote for these players obviously but wont vote for hunt or liddel as i dont remember them, thats how the voting goes guys.


1.  Dalglish
2.  Barnes
3.  Rush
4.  Hughes
5.  Smith

i think they all speak for themselves, Dalglish the greatest player ever to pull on our shirt, Barnes the best winger in the world at the time, a fantastic talent. Rush the greatest forward ever to wear the red shirt. Hughes his passion was unmatchable, he was a great servant to the club and led us to some great achievments. Smith, this guy is a legend, a lot of people overlook his playing ability and concetrate on the fear he would put into the oposition jjust picture him leaping like a salmon in Rome in 77 and crashing that header home.


this is hard to be honest because there are so many legends at our great club. when i was a kid in the 70s i used to think they were all 10 feet tall and i was surprised when fairclough came to present medals to my junior team that he was normal size, at the ground when i went to games as a child they all seemed like giants.

even know as i type names come into my head, hansen, case, mcdermott, kennedy, callaghan, heighway, fowler, keegan, clemence, whelan, etc etc etc, i could go on all day

never forget how lucky we are to support this fantastic club

nice post that mate