By request, I've produced my all-time Liverpool lineup. Remember, the point of this is to cause discussion—the beauty of these things is that no two people will have the same team.
I'm going with a 4-3-1-2 formation:
1. Bruce Grobelaar
Bruce just gets the nod over Clemence in net for me—his sheer athleticism and his ability to pull of improbable saves is often overlooked by his exuberance and mischievous nature. He won the double in 1986 and founded the "spaghetti-legs" in the European Cup Final in 1984.
2. Phil Neal
Phil Neal is in at right back. Very much a "Mr. Dependable" character, who enjoyed charging forward whenever possible and added more than his fair share of goals—was an excellent penalty taker. Honorable mentions to Markus Babbel and Rob Jones.
3. Alan Kennedy
Alan Kennedy takes the left-back slot. Again he was an adventurous player who loved bombing forward, but was stout and strong defensively.
4. Sami Hyypia
Sami Hyypia is currently starting his tenth year with Liverpool, and he was undoubtedly the best signing Gerard Houllier made during his time at Liverpool. Now 34, he has not lost any pace because he never had any!
Sami's first 10 yards were in his vision and ability to read the game. He has also scored in every season he has played for the Reds. An outstanding player and an outstanding leader.
5. Alan Hansen
Hansen was a great footballing centre back, who always looked to do something constructive with the ball. Watching Sami Hyypia is like watching Hansen. Both love to start attacking moves by moving forward with the ball and spraying passes out to the flanks. He won numerous accolades as a player and captain.
Other notable centre backs to have donned the Liver Bird include Jamie Carragher, Ron Yeats, and Tommy Smith.
6. Emlyn Hughes
Hughes was signed as an inexperienced young player by Bill Shankly, and from there he never looked back. Tireless and workmanlike, he embodied everything Shankly demanded of a player and a Captain. He was a leader in every sense of the word. Still the only Liverpool captain to win two European Cups, and back-to-back.
7. Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool's greatest ever player. Signed from Celtic, he went on to become the idol of the Kop with his vision, passing and goalscoring prowess. He won the European Cup three times as a player, and managed the club to the double in 1986. His name still echoes around Anfield on a match day.
8. Steven Gerrard
A supporter who feels the pain of defeat like any one of us, his hunger and determination to succeed are what gives him the extra 10 percent. He would not be the same player anywhere else because he would not care enough anywhere else.
He wrote himself into legend for the crucial goal against Olympiakos in the 2004/05 Champions League campaign and for his role in motivating the players after scoring the first goal in the comeback in the Istanbul final. He contributes goals, assists, and tackles, he is a leader and a future manager of the club.
9. Robbie Fowler
6 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
David Owen 11 months ago
Great article mate. I have to agree with you on almost every single player you've picked here. Just for me, personally, Jamie Carragher in place of Samii. He came up through the Academy and has cemented himself as a living legend.
Keep up the good writing!
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Sean McC 11 months ago
A defence where Phil Neal gets the nod in front of Phil Thompson ?
I suppose there's less competion at right back though so could possibly overlook it
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Michael Byrne 11 months ago
Yup, felt we needed a right back. Thommo could easily have got a nod at centre back. Its times like this you realise the number of genuinely brilliant players LFC have had through the years - I haven't even mentioned the likes of Ray Kennedy, which seems sacreligious!
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Jeff Dunlop-Jones 11 months ago
Good team! Like you said though, each individual's team will be different, as is mine. Clemence in goal would have to be the man for me. Sure, he was never as spectacular or charismatic as Brucie, but his sheer dependability and longevity stands out. I would also have opted for a 4-4-2, the formation that Shanks revolutionised and that served Liverpool so well for so long. Ian Callaghan also deserves a mention, as does Billy Liddel. Otherwise, would love to see your team take the pitch!
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Joseppio 11 months ago
I know it's all a matter of opinion, but Bruce "match thrower" Grobbelaar ahead of Ray Clemence is way off.
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joe ng 11 months ago
What about Steve McMahon? He's the toughest and meanest ball winner in the midfield in the 80's. Not to mention he scores mighty spectacular goals too.
Joe 2
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