Right Midfield - Kenny Dalglish
On the Right side of Midfield I have gone with Kenny Dalglish. This player stands head and shoulders above all the other players for what he has done for Liverpool Football Club.
He came in as a player and won everything that was to be won in the game. A sublime footballer who was a joy to watch, he established a telepathic connection with Ian Rush which dominated 80’s Football.
Dalglish then transitioned into a Player Manager in 1985 resulting in a League and FA Cup double winning triumph in his first season.
Not a bad start as a Manager as well. Kenny Dalglish retired as a player and became full time manager. However tragedy hits the club in 1989 at Hillsborough.
Dalglish as the manager attended each and every funeral of those fans that were killed in the tragedy. Therefore he will always be more than a player and a manager for this club.
In terms of an alternative for this position I would go for Xabi Alonso. Xabi Alonso was a vital cog under Rafa Benitez’s reign who just missed out on the league in 2009.
Centre Midfield - Steven Gerrard
Gerrard walks into most Best XI’s and this is no different. Steven Gerrard has won everything in the domestic game with only the league title eluding him.
Liverpool born and bred Gerrard dedicated his whole career to Liverpool Football Club. Making his debut at the age of 18 he spent 17 years at the club.
At one point he was carrying the team by himself. He would score crucial goals to get Liverpool to the next stage. His goal against Olympiakos in the CL Group stage in 2004 come to mind as does the equalizing goal against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup Final in Cardiff.
Not only crucial goals, but spectacular goals were a frequent feature in his repertoire. If we had to select a different player in this position it would have to be Graeme Souness.
A similar mould to Stevie who would get up and down the pitch in all action style. Another Scotsman who won everything in the game.
Left Midfield - John Barnes
The final midfield position is taken up by John Barnes, the star of the swashbuckling team of the late 80’s managed by Kenny Dalglish.
Barnes won every domestic honor in the game. The European Glory is missed due to the ban on English clubs.
He entertained fans for several years with his wizardry wing play. However injuries took their toll on him which meant that he was forced to transition into a central midfield role where he was still able to showcase his amazing footballing talents and dominate games single handedly.
His Liverpool career spanned 10 years. Jan Molby would be the player as an alternative in this position. The Danish international was an exceptional passer of the ball and could strike the ball so cleanly.