Ranked: The 30 Greatest Liverpool FC Players of All Time

With nearly 900 players having made a senior appearance for Liverpool Football Club, separating the legendary from the truly elite is no easy task.

Narrowing that historic lineage down to a top 30 meant making agonising cuts across generations of title winners and European champions.

Rush the Kop have now ranked 30 greatest players ever to grace Anfield. So have a read to see if you agree

The Reds are England's most decorated club, and the most successful in Europe, having won 69 major honours, and counting, including a joint-record 20 Premier League titles, as well as six Champions Leagues, the most of any English club.

Countless amazing players have called Anfield home since the club first called the famous ground home in 1892, so we've attempted to pick the best 30, which was not easy.

How the rankings were decided

Plenty of factors have been taken into account including longevity, silverware won, total goals and appearances as well just each individuals' legacy at the club. Of course, it is all subjective and comparing players from different positions and vastly different eras is nigh on impossible, but we've tried out best.

Honourable mentions

Most honourable mentioned who did not quite make the cut are usually from the very distance past, meaning very little footage is available. Only three men have made more appearances for the club than Emlyn Hughes, while Harry Chambers is the tenth-highest scoring player of all-time. Meantime, the likes of Mark Lawrenson, Alan Kennedy, John Toshack and countless others were key figures in the Reds' most dominant period in the '70s and '80s, but did not make the cut.

In more modern times, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joël Matip, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi were key figures during Jürgen Klopp's golden period, but were left out.

Lastly, always worth paying tribute to Diogo Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances before his tragic passing. Had things panned out differently, he would without doubt be on this list.

Outstanding servants

30: Jamie Carragher

For pure longevity reasons, Jamie Carragher fits the role of outstanding servant more than anyone else. A true one club man, born just two miles from Anfield, the centre-back spent his entire 17 year senior career at Liverpool, making 737 appearances for the club, the second-most of anyone in history. He was a key member of the 2001 cup treble winning side, with his greatest night coming in İstanbul in 2005.

Position: Centre-back
Years at Liverpool: 1996-2013
Notable achievements: Champions League, UEFA Cup & 2 FA Cups.

29: Michael Owen

He may have something of a tarnished legacy at Liverpool, but it is certainly worth acknowledging just how good Michael Owen really was. He scored 18 Premier League goals as a teenager in 97/98, culminating in his strike against Argentina at the World Cup.

He proved to be the focal point of Liverpool’s attack throughout their iconic treble-winning season, tallying an impressive 24 goals across all competitions. While his consistency was vital all year, his definitive performance came in the FA Cup Final against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

Trailing for much of the match and on the back foot, Liverpool needed a moment of brilliance. He delivered two: a sharp 83rd-minute equaliser followed by a breathtaking 88th-minute solo winner on the counter-attack, turning a guaranteed defeat into a dramatic late victory.

That year, was awarded the Ballon d'Or, the only Englishman to do so since 1979, before going to Real Madrid and ending up at Manchester United, hence why he is not remembered too fondly on Merseyside.

Nevertheless, only eight players have scored more than his 158 goals for the Reds, despite leaving at 24 years old.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1996-2004
Notable achievements: FA Cup, UEFA Cup & League Cup.

28: Jordan Henderson

He may not have been the most talented nor most technically gifted, but the success enjoyed under Jürgen Klopp would not have been possible without Jordan Henderson.

When he arrived from Sunderland as a 21 year old, most were unconvinced, almost moved on to Fulham as part of a swap deal for Clint Dempsey just 12 months later.

He stayed and is surely glad he did, accumulating 492 appearances, including 359 as captain, hoisting aloft eight major honours in the armband.

Position: Central midfielder
Years at Liverpool: 2011-2023
Notable achievements: Premier League, Champions League & FA Cup.

27: Gordon Hodgson

We're going way back in time for this next player, but Gordon Hodgson is fully deserving of his place in this squad.

Born in South Africa, while working as a boilermaker, he made the move to Merseyside, where he would score a more than impressive 234 goals in 340 outings for the Reds. Add in his goals for Aston Villa and Leeds, his career curtailed by WWII, he is the fourth-highest scorer in the history of the English top-flight, as well as the fourth-highest in Liverpool's own history.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1925-1936
Notable achievements: Division One's fourth-highest goalscorer.

26: Andy Robertson

Now that the 26/27 season is about to start, it is only really hitting home how weird it is going to be to see a Liverpool team without Andy Robertson as part of it. He arrived from Hull City for £8 million, which has to be one of the biggest bargains in Premier League history. The Scotland international won nine major honours on Merseyside, starting in three Champions League finals, making 378 appearances overall, racking up 69 assists, one of the very best the Reds have ever had at left-back.

Position: Left-back
Years at Liverpool: 2017-2026
Notable achievements: Premier League X2 & Champions League.

25: Phil Thompson

Sticking with defenders, he is better known for his 22 years on Soccer Saturday, but it should not be forgotten that Phil Thompson was an excellent player in his day. During 13 years at Anfield, he made 477 appearances for the Reds, winning a whopping 23 major honours, a pivotal figure as Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley's team dominated English and European football.

Position: Centre-back.
Years at Liverpool: 1971-1984.
Notable achievements: First Division X7 & European Cups X3.

24: Sami Hyypiä

Sticking with centre-backs, Sami Hyypiä's contribution to Liverpool will not be forgotten. The Finnish international gave his best years to the club, joining from Willem II as a 26 year old, making 464 appearances on Merseyside. He was part of the cup treble winning team in 2001 under Gérard Houllier and Rafa Benítez's team that reached two Champions League finals, an integeral figure in the miracle of İstanbul against AC Milan.

Position: Centre-back.
Years at Liverpool: 1999-2009.
Notable achievements: Champions League, FA Cup X2 & League Cup X2.

23: Roberto Firmino

One of the most unique players in modern football, not just at Liverpool, is Roberto Firmino. The way the Brazilian interpreted the 'false nine' role in Klopp's team was like no one else before or since, getting the best out of even more-heralded attackers around him. That said, he still scored 111 goals in 362 appearances, a decent return, before departing to join Al-Ahli in 2023.

Position: Centre-forward.
Years at Liverpool: 2015-2023.
Notable achievements: Premier League, Champions League & FA Cup.

22: Harry Chambers

Sticking with strikers, not many players have scored 151 goals for Liverpool and served as a solider in WWI, but that is Harry Chambers. Either side of the war, he was the Reds star attacker, surpassing 15 goals in five seperate First Division seasons, firing Liverpool to back-to-back titles, after a time when they had been far from the force we know today. Over a century on, only nine men have scored more goals for the Reds.

Position: Striker.
Years at Liverpool: 1915-1928.
Notable achievements: First Division X2.

21: Ronnie Whelan

Moving in the '80s, Ronnie Whelan will forever be one of the most successful Irish footballers of all-time. After arriving from Home Farm, a tiny club in Dublin, for £35,000, Whelan appeared 485 times for the Reds, a crucial member of the side who won six league titles in the '80s, starting the 1984 European Cup Final victory over Roma at Stadio Olimpico.

Position: Central midfielder.
Years at Liverpool: 1979-1994.
Notable achievements: First Divisions X6 & European Cups X2.

Liverpool greats

20: Bruce Grobbelaar

There are three goalkeepers in the top 20, it is very tough to pick between each of them, but we've gone for Bruce Grobbelaar first. His young career was disrupted after he was conscripted to fight in the Rhodesian Bush War but, following a brief stint in Canada, he arrived on Merseyside in 1981.

He would then be the Reds' first-choice goalkeeper for over a decade, racking up 628 appearances, only eight men have more, picking up 19 major honours. His wobbly legs during the European Cup Final shootout against Roma, successfully attempting to put off his opponents, remains iconic.

Position: Goalkeeper.
Years at Liverpool: 1981-1994.
Notable achievements: First Division X6 & European Cup.

19: Luis Suárez

He did not depart with the silverware his output deserved, but Luis Suárez simply has to be high up this ranking. Every supporter was devastated when Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea on deadline day in January 2011, but it turned out they'd signed someone even better.

The Uruguayan scored 82 goals in 133 appearances for the Reds, including 31 in the Premier League during his final year at the club, as Brendan Rodgers' side almost won the title. Named both Players Player and FWA Player of the year that season, few have enjoyed better individual campaigns in English football.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 2011-2014
Notable achievements: League Cup.

18: Ron Yates

Travelling back to the '60s, Ron Yates has just arrived at Anfield from Dundee United for £20,000, which would prove to be money well spent. Bill Shankly immediately named him captain, hence why he wore the armband 415 times, the second-most of any Liverpool player in history.

Described as a "mountain" by his manager, he led the Reds to a pair of First Division titles and the FA Cup in-between, hoisting the cup aloft at Wembley after an extra time win over Leeds United.

Position: Centre-back.
Years at Liverpool: 1961-1971.
Notable achievements: First Division X2 & FA Cup.

17: Phil Neal

Having won 25 major honours during his time at Liverpool, Phil Neal remains the club's most-decorated player of all-time, a record that may never be broken.

The right-back sits seventh on the all-time club's appearance list, starting four European Cup Finals, scoring against both Borussia Mönchengladbach in '77 and Roma seven years later, an always consistent performer.

Position: Right-back
Years at Liverpool: 1974-1985.
Notable achievements: First Division X8 & European Cup X4.

16: Kevin Keegan

Sadly, this is being written the week Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75 from stomach cancer. This though has led to widespread tributes being paid to King Kev. While he won two Ballon d'Ors during his time at Hamburg, and is beloved in Newcastle, he actually more appearances for Liverpool than all of his other top-flight clubs combined.

After joining from Scunthorpe, he scored 100 goals for the Reds, winning nine major trophies, bagging a brace in an FA Cup Final and netting in two seperate UEFA Cup Finals. His £500,000 transfer to Hamburg was a British-record fee at the time.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1971-1977.
Notable achievements: First Division X3, European Cup & UEFA Cup X2.

15: Alisson Becker

Few players in Liverpool's history, certainly in modern times, have had quite as transformational impact as Alisson. T

The 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv was a heartbreaking tipping point. Loris Karius’ nightmare evening against Real Madrid laid bare Liverpool’s final missing piece, making the arrival of Alisson Becker from Roma not just a transfer, but a total change.

From the moment he stepped between the sticks at Anfield, the Brazilian proved to be a titan an elite presence who single-handedly elevated Jurgen Klopp’s side from ambitious contenders into relentless world and domestic champions.

Over 333 commanding appearances, he has arguably held the title of the planet's premier goalkeeper, racking up a stunning 137 clean sheets. And then, of course, there was West Brom away: a towering, last-second header that etched his name into Anfield folklore as the first goalkeeper ever to score a competitive goal for the club.

A finish any elite striker would be proud of. It sparked wild celebrations and secured a vital 2–1 victory, ultimately propelling Liverpool to a 3rd-place finish that season.

Position: Goalkeeper
Years at Liverpool: 2018-present.
Notable achievements: Premier League X2 & Champions League.

14: Sadio Mané

Another legend of the Jürgen Klopp-era will forever be Sadio Mané. Arriving from Southampton for £34 million, he was Klopp's first senior signing, scoring on debut at Arsenal, never really looking back. In total, the Senegalese attacker netted 120 times across all competitions, including scoring in the 2018 Champions League Final, winning six major trophies. In his prime, Mané was among the most frightening and electrifying forwards on the planet.

Position: Left-winger
Years at Liverpool: 2016-2022
Notable achievements: Premier League, Champions League & FA Cup.

13: Ray Clemence

Potentially the greatest goalkeeper in Liverpool's history, at least according to our ranking, few have ever been better than Ray Clemence. He made 665 appearances for the Reds, which leaves him joint-fourth on the overall ranking, keeping a whopping 332 clean sheets. He started, and won, three European Cup Finals and two UEFA Cup Finals, before joining Tottenham after the arrival of Bruce Grobbelaar, but team mate Ian Callaghan labelled him the "greatest English goalkeeper there has ever been".

Position: Goalkeeper.
Years at Liverpool: 1967-1981.
Notable achievements: First Division X5 & European Cups X3.

12: Robbie Fowler

Robbie Fowler is perhaps unfortunate to not be in the top ten, hampered by the fact he was at Liverpool during a down period for the club.

Mostly throughout the '90s, Fowler scored 183 goals for the Reds, which leaves him seventh on the all-time list, including a hat-trick against Arsenal in just four minutes 33 seconds, the fastest in the Premier League at the time, later surpassed by Mané.

By the time Houllier's team won trophies in 2001, he was overshadowed by Owen, thereby sold to Leeds for £12 million, returning later in his career, still known at God by Kopites.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1993-2001 & 2006-2007.
Notable achievements: UEFA Cup, FA Cup & League Cup.

11: Billy Liddell

We're going back in time to learn about the one-club man that is Billy Liddell. He arrived as a 16 year old in 1938, only for football to be suspended due to war soon after, but carried on playing all the way until 1961.

During the '50s, he was the club's top scorer in all bar season, netting 228 times for the Reds overall, which places him fourth on the all-time list, still to this day.

Position: Winger
Years at Liverpool: 1938-1961.
Notable achievements: First Division

Liverpool's top 10 greatest players of all-time

10: Alan Hansen

As we move into the top ten, he is better known by younger fans as a Match of the Day pundit, but Alan Hansen remains one of the best centre-backs Liverpool has ever seen. After arriving from Partick Thistle in 1977, he appeared 620 times for the Reds, hoisting aloft 24 major honours, arguably the most important member of the side who dominated throughout the '80s. A ball-playing centre-back, the Scotsman was ahead of his time.

Position: Centre-back.
Years at Liverpool: 1977-1991.
Notable achievements: First Division X8 & European Cup X3.

9: Ian Callaghan

We now come to Ian Callaghan who, with 857, is the player in Liverpool's history to have made the most appearances, a record that will surely never be broken. Born and rasied locally, he spent almost two decades in the Reds' first team, winning 18 major honours, including two European Cups and the World Cup with England. A tricky winger, manager Shankley labelled him a "model professional and a model human being", adding "if there were 11 Callaghans at Anfield there would never be any need to put up a teamsheet".

Position: Winger
Years at Liverpool: 1959-1978.
Notable achievements: First Division X5 and European Cup X2.

8: Roger Hunt

Another World Cup winner from '66, Roger Hunt's 285 goals for Liverpool means he remains second on the club's all-time scorers list. After arriving from non-league outfit Stockton Heath in 1958, the striker won two First Division titles and the golden boot in 1966, on target in the FA Cup Final, and few have ever been better at scoring goals in Liverpool red than Hunt.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1958-1969.
Notable achievements: First Division X2 & FA Cup.

7: John Barnes

Every supporter loves their team to have a lightening quick winger who is also an expert dribbler, and John Barnes certainly fits into those categories. Joining from Watford in '87, the Jamaican-born attacker was Players' Player of the year during his first year at Anfield, appearing 406 times for the Reds overall, scoring 107 goals and winning eight trophies. Barnes' style means he would have thrived playing for any team in any era.

Position: Winger
Years at Liverpool: 1987-1997.
Notable achievements: First Division X2, FA Cup X2 & League Cup.

6: Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness only spent six years at Liverpool, but he certainly made an impression. The Reds won the First Division five times as well as three European Cups during this period, and it is no coincidence that this remains their most successful spell ever. The Scotsman later managed the club, but will forever be remembered as one of the best midfielders Anfield has ever seen.

Position: Central midfielder.
Years at Liverpool: 1978-1984.
Notable achievements: First Division X5 & European Cup X3.

5: Virgil van Dijk

Now we've reached the top five, it is very difficult to seperate these players, with Virgil van Dijk fully deserving of his spot this high up the rankings.

Many were surprised when Liverpool paid £75 million for his signature, but he has been worth every penny. Across 374 appearances, he has established himself as, possibly, the greatest centre-back the Premier League has ever seen.

The Dutchman has provided massive contributions at both ends of the pitch, including the winner in the 2024 EFL Cup Final, and there are few most pivotal Liverpool legends than van Dijk.

Position: Centre-back.
Years at Liverpool: 2018-present.
Notable achievements: Premier League X2 & Champions League.

4: Mohamed Salah

Sticking with the modern era of success, how does one reflect on Mohamed Salah's Liverpool career now he has gone? The Egyptian netted 257 times for the club, which leaves him third on the all-time list, the Premier League's player of the season three times, and golden boot winner four times.

His 29 goals and 18 assists in 2024/25 powered Arne Slot's side to the most-recent title, not forgetting everything he did under Klopp, and he might be near impossible for Andoni Iraola to replace.

Position: Winger
Years at Liverpool: 2017-2026.
Notable achievements: Premier League X2 & Champions League.

3: Ian Rush

Now we come to Liverpool's all-time leading goal-scorer Ian Rush. The Welshman scored 436 times for the Reds across his 16 year career at Anfield, interrupted by a brief sojourn to Juventus. He remains one of the most natural finishers English football has ever seen, winning five league titles on Merseyside, as well as the club's top-scorer in eight seperate seasons, which is not bad, is it?

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1980-1996
Notable achievements: First Division X6 & European Cup X2.

2: Sir Kenny Dalglish

Arguably, the most important man in Liverpool's history is Kenny Dalglish. He led the club to 11 major honours as manager, but only after picking up 21 as a player.

The Scotsman is Celtic's tenth leading scorer of all-time, while he is also eighth on Liverpool's list, netting 172 times for the Reds, on target against Club Brugge in the 1978 European Cup Final as well as in the League Cup Final three years later. King Kenny has a stand named after him at Anfield, and there is surely no greater honour.

Position: Striker
Years at Liverpool: 1977-1990
Notable achievements: First Division X6 & European Cup X3.

Who is Liverpool's greatest-ever player?

1: Steven Gerrard

Last, but by no means least, there could only be one man in top spot and that is Steven Gerrard. During his 17 year career at his boyhood club, the midfielder was the Reds' talisman, this coming in a period when the club was not at the peak of its powers.

An all-round box-to-box midfielder, the Englishman made 710 appearances for the club, behind only Carragher and Callaghan. He scored in a UEFA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, the miracle Champions League Final victory over AC Milan and the FA Cup Final, his long-range strike in stoppage time saving the day against West Ham in Cardiff. A true big game player, he will always remain the idol to millions of supporters worldwide.

Position: Central midfielder.
Years at Liverpool: 1998-2015.
Notable achievements: Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup X2 & League Cup X3.

The greatest-ever Liverpool XI using this ranking

Based on our ranking, this is the greatest XI in Liverpool history we have come up with:

• Ray Clemence

• Phil Neal, Virgil van Dijk, Alan Hansen & Andy Robertson.

• Steven Gerrard, Graeme Souness & Ronnie Whelan.

• Mohamed Salah, Ian Rush & Kenny Dalglish.

Putting together this XI was a nigh on impossible task, not wanting to shoe-horn in six attackers, but this lineup would almost certainly beat any other that any different club in the world could put forward.

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