Putting together Liverpool's All-time XI
- Building a dream lineup amidst all the Liverpool greats is no easy task
- The superstars that make this list are some of the clubs icons
- A great many talented footballers failed to make an appearance
By Jajhar Singh
Centre Backs - Alan Hansen & Virgil van Dijk
When I first started watching Liverpool play the team was packed with superstars. The player that I really started to admire was Alan Hansen.
In the 80’s most centre backs would be the rough and tumble types who would kick lumps out of forwards.
Alan Hansen on the other hand was this silky-smooth footballer who would effortlessly carry the ball out of defence and go beyond the midfield with the ball at his feet.
For today’s generation Alan Hansen was the original Joel Matip. Alan Hansen was the captain of the League and FA Cup double winning team in 1986.
The first and only double in Liverpool’s History. Alan Hansen has won many League and European cup titles with Liverpool in his 13-year stint. There are not many players are stay for that long just showcasing what he meant to The Reds.
Another selection from the current crop is Virgil van Dijk who has won the big prizes and also can consider himself to be the best in world in his position at this moment in time.
Similar to Alisson, van Dijk was the final piece of the puzzle that won the Champions League and League title for Liverpool.
He continued to be an integral part of the team that was chasing 4 trophies in 2021/22. This season van Dijk had taken over the captaincy and gave a captain’s performance in the League Cup final against Chelsea.
Surrounded by inexperienced youngsters in the Reds line up van Dijk comes up with the vital goal to hand Liverpool the trophy.
As Liverpool transitions to a new manager big Virg could play a pivotal role in the dressing room for the new crop of youngsters that are coming through.
As an alternative pairing of centre backs I would go with the 2005 pairing of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.
Both were involved with the treble winning success of 2001. They both have been involved with heroic performances for the Reds. If we venture beyond my time of watching Liverpool It would be a sin not to mention Ron Yeats and Emlyn Hughes as great centre backs of Liverpool’s great history.