These are the 20 Liverpool legends you want to have back in defense

Liverpool have had some fantastic defenders over the years, but none of them can be included in the current squad.

Okay Joel Matip looks okay and Dejan Lovren has his moments, but the Reds have been weak at the back for donkey’s years and it still hasn’t been fixed.

Brendan Rodgers (bless his heart) tried his best and Jurgen Klopp has done some tinkering, but nobody has thrown the baby out with the bathwater and started again.

Is Ragnar Klavan really going to supply the solidity needed to challenge for honours this campaign and can the youth of Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold keep out the best in the world when it really matters?

It is clear that Liverpool need a fresh injection of defensive talent in the squad, and Rush The Kop took to Twitter to ask which Reds legend you wanted in the back four again.

Some of the answers took us by surprised and some caused a lingering nostalgia for days when defenders could come flying in.

With names such as Steve Finnan, Tommy Smith and Ron Yeats coming out of the woodwork, it definitely seems like times were better on Anfield during days gone by.

So scroll down the page and click through the slides to see who fans have suggested would strengthen the spine of the team, provide leadership and scare a few lads back into shape.

Emlyn Hughes

People have said Emlyn Hughes was a true Liverpool hero. Those people would not be wrong. After signing for £65,000 from Blackpool in 1967, Hughes went on to play 665 games in all competitions and score 49 goals.

In 1973/1974 the defender was paired with fellow legend Phil Thompson and changed the way Liverpool started their attacks: from the back. He was even made captain ahead of Tommy Smith – something the latter did not like.

He could play as a full-back, in the centre of defence or even in midfield and amassed nine club honours and won the FWA Footballer of the Year for 1977.

Graeme Souness once said about the player: “He absolutely adored playing football. He would just give 110%,” reported lfchistory.net.

“They called him Crazy Horse and that’s exactly what he was. He never stopped, he was up and down the pitch, cajoling everyone. He’ll not be forgotten.”