5 Most Legendary Liverpool Captains

Football captains have to fulfill a variety of roles, from leader to inspiration to someone who can be relied upon, and Liverpool have had plenty of those over the years.

The Reds have been blessed with some terrific players during what have often been success-filled years, but all of those players have to be led by somebody, and the captain is often the man who fans identify with most.

At many clubs, players such as Tommy Smith, Phil Thompson, Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher would walk into a list of their five most legendary captains, but it goes to show just how blessed Liverpool have been over time that they don't feature here.

However, the five who do, listed here in chronological order, deserve their place on the list.

Ron Yeats

Years as captain: 1961-1970

Bill Shankly famously invited the visiting media to "take a walk around" around big Scottish defender Ron Yeats upon his unveiling at Anfield in 1961, due to his immense size.

The Scot had been signed from Dundee United and was immediately installed as captain by Liverpool's charismatic manager due to the leadership qualities he clearly possessed.

Yeats skippered the Reds to the Second Division title in his first season and then the First Division crown in 1964 and 1966, but it was the FA Cup win in 1965―Liverpool's first ever―which was most celebrated.

Yeats played 454 games for Liverpool up until 1970, when he was one of the higher-profile casualties as Shankly reinvented his team.

He later returned to Liverpool as chief scout in 1986, taking up the role until his retirement in 2006.

He is largely considered responsible for bringing Sam Hyypia, another defensive colossus, to the Reds in 1999.

Emlyn Hughes

Years as captain: 1973-1979

The man who lifted Liverpool's first two European Cups as captain, Emlyn Hughes was one of the most gifted footballers to ever play for the Reds.

Capable of playing in defence and midfield with equal amounts of skill, Hughes was signed by Shankly from Blackpool for just £65,000 in 1967. The Scottish boss declaring to policemen that "the future Liverpool and England captain" was in his car when he was stopped when driving the then-19-year-old to the club. He was right.

Nicknamed "Crazy Horse" due to his energetic style, Hughes became more important to the club after that cull of 1970, rising to become a captain who lifted four league championships, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and those two European Cups.

A key figure at the club throughout the '70s, Shankly would often sing his praises and declare that he was the kind of role model all of his younger players should follow.

Hughes died of a brain tumour in November 2004, aged 57. He was mourned at a League Cup tie against Middlesbrough at Anfield with an impeccable minute's silence.

Graeme Souness

Years as captain: 1981-1984

A one-man midfield engine room during the late 1970s and early '80s, Graeme Souness simply made Liverpool tick.

He was a hard man, but combined that with terrific football ability, too.

Five league championships, four League Cups and three European Cups―the last of which he lifted as captain―were won during his time as a player at Anfield, with the Reds benefiting from the fact that no one wanted to go toe-to-toe with the spiky Scot.

Bob Paisley took the captaincy off Phil Thompson and gave it to Souness in 1981―which began a rivalry between the two players―and Souness responded by leading his team with distinction until he left for Sampdoria in 1984.

He later returned to Liverpool as manager in 1991, and although things didn't always go to plan he did manage to win the FA Cup at the end of his first full season.

Alan Hansen

Years as captain: 1985-1988, 1989-1990

These days more commonly known as a television pundit, Alan Hansen was easily one of the best defenders of his generation.

A signing from Partick Thistle in 1977, Scottish star Hansen rose to prominence with the Reds and quickly became a regular in the side, moving from young pretender to established star.

He won three European Cups before taking over as captain in 1985, when Kenny Dalglish was player-manager.

Hansen immediately captained Liverpool to the league-and-cup double in 1986, and was the skipper when arguably the best Reds side of all time won the league in stunning style in the 1987/88 campaign.

Injury problems restricted his appearances from then, but he returned to skipper the side to their 18th and most recent title in 1990.

Steven Gerrard

Years as captain: 2003-Present

Steven Gerrard was just 23 years old when manager Gerard Houllier made the big call to take the permanent captaincy role off Hyypia and give it to the local lad before a UEFA Cup game against Olimpija Ljubljana in 2003. It was the right decision.

One-and-a-half years later, Gerrard was lifting Liverpool's fifth European Cup following a remarkable night against AC Milan in Istanbul, when his goal instigated a remarkable comeback. Then in 2006 he stamped his authority all over a winning FA Cup final.

The Reds might not have won as many trophies under Gerrard as other captains on this list―just the League Cup of 2012 to add to those other two―but where would the club be without his efforts of the last decade?

Gerrard will be rewarded with a testimonial at Anfield this summer to give thanks for all he has done as captain, and there can be few more deserving recipients of one.