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| Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index
Liverpool Greatest All-Time Team
Liverpool Greatest All-Time Team for English players
Liverpool Greatest All-Time Team for British Isles players without English players
Liverpool African or African born Best XI
Over 140 foreign players have played for Liverpool FC. Arthur Riley and Berry Nieuwenhuys from South Africa were probably the first two foreign players ever played for Liverpool. Until the mid-1990's, it was uncommon to have non-British or Irish players on an English team. Later, a large influx of foreign players came to Liverpool FC under former managers Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier. In 2005, Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Final of the Champions' League with only three players from British Isles playing.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for foreign players who played for Liverpool FC. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Irish players are not considered for this blog team. I put them together to my greatest all-time team for British Isles without English players.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for non-English players from the British Isles who had played for Liverpool FC. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League. I have created an all-time Liverpool team for English players only and players from British Isles without English players.
Over 140 foreign players have played for Liverpool FC. Arthur Riley and Berry Nieuwenhuys from South Africa were probably the first two foreign players ever played for Liverpool. Until the mid-1990's, it was uncommon to have non-British or Irish players on an English team. Later, a large influx of foreign players came to Liverpool FC under former managers Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier. In 2005, Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Final of the Champions' League with only three players from British Isles playing.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for foreign players who played for Liverpool FC. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Irish players are not considered for this blog team. I put them together to my greatest all-time team for British Isles without English players.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for non-English players from the British Isles who had played for Liverpool FC. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League. I have created an all-time Liverpool team for English players only and players from British Isles without English players.
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| Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino |
Team
GK: Alisson Becker (Brazil)
Alisson began his career at Internacional, and won the Campeonato Gaúcho in each of his four seasons at the club. In 2016, he joined AS Roma, In 2018, Liverpool signed Alisson for a , making him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time. At Liverpool, Alisson has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup. In 2019, he was named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper and was also the recipient of the inaugural Yashin Trophy. Since 2015, he had played for Brazil.
Alisson began his career at Internacional, and won the Campeonato Gaúcho in each of his four seasons at the club. In 2016, he joined AS Roma, In 2018, Liverpool signed Alisson for a , making him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time. At Liverpool, Alisson has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup. In 2019, he was named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper and was also the recipient of the inaugural Yashin Trophy. Since 2015, he had played for Brazil.
GK: Jerzy Dudek (Poland)
Jerzy Dudek was best remembered for helping Liverpool winning the UEFA Champions' League in 2005. In the Final, he saved two penalties in the shootout that beat AC Milan. From 1996 to 2001, he played for Feyenoord. From 2001 to 2007, he played for Liverpool. He also served as the backup keeper with Real Madrid. Dudek played 60 times for Poland – the second most-capped player in his position for several years – representing the nation at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
GK: Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe)
Bruce Grobbelaar made 628 appearances for Liverpool in 13 years. He was considered among the best England-based keepers of his generation and a legend with Liverpool. He won the 1984 European Cup, 6 English league titles and 3 FA Cups with Liverpool. Born in South Africa, he moved to Rhodesia as a child. He was capped once times by Rhodesia in 1977 and later 32 times for Zimbabwe.
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| Jerzy Dudek |
Bruce Grobbelaar made 628 appearances for Liverpool in 13 years. He was considered among the best England-based keepers of his generation and a legend with Liverpool. He won the 1984 European Cup, 6 English league titles and 3 FA Cups with Liverpool. Born in South Africa, he moved to Rhodesia as a child. He was capped once times by Rhodesia in 1977 and later 32 times for Zimbabwe.
RB: Markus Babbel (Germany)
Babbel started with Bayern Munich but made a name with Hamburger SV. In 1994, he returned to Bayern Munich, where he won an UEFA Cup in 1996. He later won another one with Liverpool, where he played between 2000 and 2004. He then played for Stuttgart. He was capped 51 times for Germany. He was part of the Euro 96 winning team. He also represented his country at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
RB: Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
Alvaro Arbeloa started his career with Real Madrid, but he made a name with Liverpool, where he played from 2006 to 2009. He made a return to his mother club in 2009. He helped the club to win their 10th European Cup in 2014. For Spain, he played 56 times for Spain between 2008 and 2013. He was mainly used as a sub during Spain's glorious run at Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010, but he was their starting rightback at the 2012 European Championship.
RB: Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
Alvaro Arbeloa started his career with Real Madrid, but he made a name with Liverpool, where he played from 2006 to 2009. He made a return to his mother club in 2009. He helped the club to win their 10th European Cup in 2014. For Spain, he played 56 times for Spain between 2008 and 2013. He was mainly used as a sub during Spain's glorious run at Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010, but he was their starting rightback at the 2012 European Championship.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Van Dijk started with Groningen before he moved to Celtic in 2013. In S2015, he joined Southampton before signing for Liverpool in 2018 for £75 million, a world record transfer fee for a defender. Van Dijk was named the PFA Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season for the 2018–19 season. Van Dijk starred as Liverpool won the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final where he was named man of the match. From 2015 onward, he played for Netherlands and was named captain.
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| Virgil van Dijk |
Martin Škrtel was probably most famous Slovak defender after the breakup of Czechoslovakia. He was named Slovak Footballer of the Year four times. He played for Trenčín and Zenit Saint Petersburg, before joining Liverpool in 2008 where he spent 8 and half years. He joined Fenerbahçe in 2016. He was capped 104 times for Slovakia between 2004 and 2019. He went to both World Cup Finals in 2010 and Euro 2016.
CB: Sami Hyypia (Finland)
Hyypia was probably one of the most successful Finish players playing outside his home country. He was best remembered for his 10 seasons with Liverpool. He was at one point their captain. He was voted 38th as the greatest ever players for Liverpool by their fans. He was voted 19th as the greatest Foreign Player ever in the Premier League. He also had a successful career with Williem II in Holland. He was capped 105 times for Finland between 1992 and 2010.
CB: Daniel Agger (Denmark)
Daniel Agger earned 75 caps for Denmark between 2005 and 2016. He played for them at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. He was named as the Danish Player of the Year in 2007 and 2012. He started his career with Brøndby in 2004, but he left for Liverpool in 2006. He returned to his mother club in 2014. He most notably played for Liverpool, where he was a UEFA Champions' league runner-up in 2007. His only major triphy was the League Cup.
LB: John Arne Riise (Norway)
John Arne Riise was one of the top fullback in the Premiership during his years with Liverpool. He spent 7 seasons with Liverpool, winning the Champions' League in 2005. He also had stints with Roma in Italy and Monaco in France. For Norway, he was their all-time cap leader. He ony went one major tournament, namely Euro 2000, but he made no appearance. He won Kniksen Award in 2006 for the best Norwegian player of the year.
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| John Arne Riise |
Stig Inge Bjørnebye's football journey with Elverum IL and later joined Strømmen IF and then Kongsvinger IL. In 1992, he moved to Rosenborg. He was then signed by Liverpool in 1992, where he won the 1995 League Cup. After a successful spell at Liverpool, he moved to Blackburn Rovers. He was capped 75 times by Norway, participating at the 1994 and 1998 World Cup Finals and the 2000 European Championship.
A youth product of Feyenoord, Wijnaldum became the youngest player ever to represent the club when he made his debut in 2007. From 2011 to 2015, he played for PSV and one season with Newcastle before joining Liverpool in 2016. In 2021, he joined PSG and left them for Saudi Arabia in 2023. Since 2011, he played for the Dutch national team. He was a member of the squad which finished third at the 2014 World Cup as well as captaining the national team at Euro 2020.
CM: Jan Molby (Denmark)
Jan Molby won 33 caps for Denmark from 1982 to 1990, scoring two goals. He was a key member of the "Dynamite" Denmark which lit up the 1984 European Championship and 1986 World Cup. He notably spent twelve years playing in England with Liverpool between 1984 and 1996. Before Liverpool FC, he played for Ajax and Swansea. He served as the player-manager for Swansea after leaving Liverpool in 1996.
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| Jan Molby |
Lucas Leiva started with Gremio in Brazil. In 2006, he became the youngest player ever to receive Bola de Ouro (Golden Ball) award. From 2007 to 2017, he played for Liverpool. He left them to join Lazio in 2017. For his international career. he has earned 24 caps between 2007 and 2013. He represented Brazil at the 2008 Olympics and 2011 Copa América, winning a bronze medal at the former.
DM: Fabinho (Brazil)
Fabinho started his career at Fluminense before joining Rio Ave in Portugal. Subsequently, he played 5 years in Monaco. Transitioning to Liverpool between 2018 and 2023, he triumphed in the Champions League and played a pivotal role in their 2019–20 Premier League victory. His international debut for Brazil dates back to 2015, contributing to the Copa América squads in 2015, 2016, and 2021, and representing Brazil in the 2022 World Cup.
DM: Dietmar Hamann (Germany)
Throughout his career, Dietmar Hamann has played for Bayern Munich, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Manchester City. His longest stints were with Bayern Munich and Liverpool. He played 59 times for Germany between 1997 and 2006, and represented his nation in two World Cups and two European Championships, reaching the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final.
CM: Xabi Alonso (Spain)
Xabi Alonso started with Real Sociedad in 2000. He joined Liverpool in 2004 winning the Champions' League trophy in his first season. In 2009, he moved to Real Madrid, winning the Champions' League again in 2014. In 2014, he joined Bayern Munich. He was a key member of the Spanish team that won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. His 114 caps make him the fifth most capped player in the nation's history.
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| Xabi Alonso |
RW: Berry Nieuwenhuys (South Africa)
Born in Boksburg, Transvaal Province, Berry Nieuwenhuys was one of six South Africans playing for Liverpool during the 1930's. He played over 200 games for Liverpool between 1933 and 1947. He scored 79 goals. He attained double figures in goals scored in six consecutive seasons in the 1930s. The Second World War disrupted his career, forcing him to become guest players with Arsenal and West Ham during the War while he served in the Royal Air Force.
LW: Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
Philippe Coutinho came from Vasco da Gama's youth system. He was signed by Italian side Internazionale in 2008 before making his senior debut in Brazil. He played on loan in Brazil before finally joining Inter Milan in 2010. In 2013, he joined Liverpool. Then, in January of 2016, he joined Barcelona. While on loan to Bayern Munich, he won a Champions' league title. He later played for Aston Villa. Between 2010 and 2022, he was capped 68 times by Brazil.
LW: Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Sadio Mané stated with Metz. He made his name while playing for Red Bill Salzburg and Southampton. In 2016, he became the most expensive African player in history at that time when he joined Liverpool. Mané, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho made up a prolific attacking quartet dubbed the "Fab Four". He helped the club to reach the Final of the 2018 Champions' League. He scored a goal in the Final. For Senegal, he played for them at the World Cup Finals in 2018.
LW: Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
Philippe Coutinho came from Vasco da Gama's youth system. He was signed by Italian side Internazionale in 2008 before making his senior debut in Brazil. He played on loan in Brazil before finally joining Inter Milan in 2010. In 2013, he joined Liverpool. Then, in January of 2016, he joined Barcelona. While on loan to Bayern Munich, he won a Champions' league title. He later played for Aston Villa. Between 2010 and 2022, he was capped 68 times by Brazil.
LW: Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Sadio Mané stated with Metz. He made his name while playing for Red Bill Salzburg and Southampton. In 2016, he became the most expensive African player in history at that time when he joined Liverpool. Mané, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho made up a prolific attacking quartet dubbed the "Fab Four". He helped the club to reach the Final of the 2018 Champions' League. He scored a goal in the Final. For Senegal, he played for them at the World Cup Finals in 2018.
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| Sadio Mane |
AM/LW/FW/: Roberto Firmino (Brazil)
After starting his career with Figueirense in 2009, Firmino spent four-and-a-half seasons at Hoffenheim. His 16 goals in 33 games for the 2013–14 Bundesliga season earned him the award for the league's Breakthrough Player. In July 2015, he signed for Premier League club Liverpool. Between 2014 and 2022, he played 55 times for Brazil. He was a member of the 2015 Copa America squad and 2018 World Cup team.
ST: Gordon Hodgson (South Africa)
Hodgson signed for Liverpool on 14 December 1925, going on to score 241 goals in 377 appearances for the Anfield club. He is their third all-time leading scorer. He transferred to Aston Villa in 1936 . He later played for Leeds United. He played twice for South Africa in 1924. He was also capped three times at full international level by England, making his debut against Ireland, in a 5–1 win in a British Home Championship.
Gordon Hodgson
ST: Fernando Torres (Spain)Fernando Torres started his career with Atletico Madrid in 2001, where he became the captain at age 19. In 2007, he moved to Liverpool FC and became a big star in England. In 2011, Chelsea allegedly broke the British transfer record to buy him. He was a part of the Champions' league winning team in 2012. For the national team, he was a part of the generation that won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships (2008 and 2012). At Euro 2012, he was the top-scorer.
ST: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Luis Suarez won both the 2013-2014 FWA and the PFA Player of the Year while playing for Liverpool in England. He was also the European Golden Shoe winner that year. Unfortunately, he was known for biting an opponent at a few occasions. With Barcelona, he was a part of the MSN line. He also played for Inter Miami. For Uruguay, he helped them to win the Copa America in 2011 and controversially a 4th place finish at 2010 World Cup Finals. He had 143 caps between 2007 and 2024.
ST/RW: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Salah played with El Mokawloon in Egypt before heading to play for Basel in Switzerland. In 2013, he won the best player award in Switzerland. He earned a big move to Chelsea in 2014, but he ended up with a loan move to Fiorentina and Roma. In 2017, he moved to Liverpool after starring for Roma. In 2017, he helped Egypt for their first World Cup Finals since 1990. In the WC Finals, he scored a single goal.
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| Mohamed Salah |
Arthur Riley (South Africa), Pepe Reina (Spain), Sander Westerveld (Netherlands), Fábio Aurélio (Brazil), Stephane Henchoz (Switzerland), Glenn Hysen (Sweden), Joel Matip (Cameroon), Mohamed Sissoko (Mali), Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Thiago Alcântara (Spain), Jari Litmanen (Finland), Patrik Berger (Czech Republic), Vladimír Šmicer (Czech Republic), Ronny Rosenthal (Israel), Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands), Luis Garcia (Spain), Milan Baros (Czech Republic), Yossi Benayoun (Israel), Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina), Albert Moreno (Spain), Boudewijn Zenden (Netherlands), Harry Kewell (Australia), Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Djibril Cissé (France), Diogo Jota (Portugal).
Squad Explanation
-- This team was updated in December, 2024 after I did a review of my Livepool All-Time team.
-- This team was updated in December, 2024 after I did a review of my Livepool All-Time team.
-- This team is not exactly about foreign players. It means any player outside the British Isles. The Republic of Ireland is not a part of the United Kingdom, but they are still a part of British Isles. I put all Irish players over there.
-- In 2022, Fourfourtwo ranked Liverpool's 50 greatest footballers. The foreign players on the list were as followed: 3) Mohamed Salah, 4) Luis Suarez, 7) Virgil van Dijk, 16) Sadio Mané, 22) Sami Hyypia, 24) Alisson, 33) Bruce Grobbelaar, 35) Jan Molby, 36) Roberto Firmino, 43) Fernando Torres and 49) Xabi Alonso.
-- In 2022, Fourfourtwo ranked Liverpool's 50 greatest footballers. The foreign players on the list were as followed: 3) Mohamed Salah, 4) Luis Suarez, 7) Virgil van Dijk, 16) Sadio Mané, 22) Sami Hyypia, 24) Alisson, 33) Bruce Grobbelaar, 35) Jan Molby, 36) Roberto Firmino, 43) Fernando Torres and 49) Xabi Alonso.
-- I based some of my research on the polls "100 Players Who Shook The Kop" voted by Liverpool fans in 2006 and again in 2013. Most players were on the poll. However, fan polls usually tended to favor contemporary players. I only used them as a reference.
-- The Daily Mail created this Liverpool's Greatest Foreign Best XI in 2020. The team were: Alisson, Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Virgil van Dijk, John Arne Risse, Jan Mobly, Xabi Alonso, Muhamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres.
-- In 2018, the website "This is Anfield" also made a team of Liverpool Foreign XI against British XI. The Foreign XI were: Bruce Grobbelaar, Steve Finnan, Mark Lawrenson, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise, Dirk Kuyt, Jan Mobly, Xabi Alonso, Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres. However, this team included players from Republic of Ireland.
-- Rafael Benítez won the 2005 Champions' League with many foreign players. Only two English players played in the Final against AC Milan. Steve Finnan from Ireland is the third player from the British Isles. From that team, I selected Jerzy Dudek, Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann, Luis Garcia and Sami Hyypia.
-- Gerard Houllier brought many French players to Liverpool. France had one of the largest foreign contingent in Liverpool FC, but none of them made a significant impact. Djibril Cisse was probably the only player of note. Nicolas Anelka was probably the most famous French ever played for the club, but his career here was not so good.
-- Spain has the largest contingent that made this team. I have five Spanish players (Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Luis Garcia).
-- Spain has the largest contingent that made this team. I have five Spanish players (Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Luis Garcia).
-- Alisson, Sadio Mane, Mohamad Salah, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino played Jürgen Klopp.
Goalkeepers
-- Both Bruce Grobbelaar and Alisson were on my Liverpool All-Time team.
-- Grobbelaar, who succeeded Ray Clemence in goal, filled his shoes admirably, clinching six league titles, three FA Cups, and a European Cup in 1984. His longevity added something to legacy over here.
-- At the time of writing, Alisson has already completed seven seasons with the club. In 2019, he led Liverpool to victory in the Champions League, earning accolades such as The Best FIFA Goalkeeper, Yashin Trophy, IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper and Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season for 2018–19. The FourFourTwo ranked hin as the 24th greatest Liverpool player as the highest ranked goalkeeper. None of the other goalkeepers could claim that while playing for Liverpool.
-- Jerzy Dudek won a Champions' League by winning a penalty shootout. He was the hero of that night against AC Milan. However, Pepe Reina could also lay a claim as the third goalkeeper.
-- Although Arthur Riley played represented an All-British XI in a game aganst a Football League XI in 1939, I considered him South African. He was born in South Africa. He was also a serious candidate for the third goalkeeper.
Defenders
-- During his time with Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk reached consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, securing victory in the latter. He also helped Liverpool to end a 30-year league title drought by clinching the Premier League title in 2020. Additionally, he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season awards. At the time of writing, he is the only defender to have won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award. The FourFourTwo ranked him as the 7th greatest Liverpool player even ahead of Alan Hansen. Sami Hyypia was placed on the 21st player on the same list, and the 6th highest ranked foreign player. The pair would be the greatest foreign central defenders ever played for Liverpool.
-- Martin Skrtel became the club’s most expensive defender at the time of his signing. He started his Liverpool career partnering Jamie Carragher. Subsequently, Daniel Agger replaced the legendary Carragher, forging another formidable partnership alongside Skrtel. In the 2013 version of the "100 Players Who Shook The Kop" poll, Agger finished at the 45th while Skrtel took 59th spot.
-- While the central duo of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz excelled, I could only accommodate Hyypia. Glenn Hysen hailed from a footballing dynasty, with his grandfather, father, and three sons all involved in the sport. Henchoz and Hysen received honorable mentions.
-- Markus Babbel was highly regarded for his career here, but it was tragically cut short due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Alvaro Arbeloa also had limited appearances during his time at Liverpool.
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| Alvaro Arbeloa |
-- On the left, a pair of Norwegians took the two spots. John Arne Riise helped Liverpool win the Champions League in 2005. I ranked him among the greatest leftback in Liverpool's history. Meanwhile, Stig Inge Bjornebye's career had its ups and downs. But he was named on the PFA Team of the Year in the 1996–97 Premier League. He was a great crosser of the ball. Fábio Aurélio was the first Brazilian to join the club, but his career here was affected by injury problems. I placed him on honroable mention.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Dietmar Hamann appeared in many all-time lists for Liverpool FC. Liverpool with him as a key player won the treble (League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup) in the 2000-2001 season. He played a crucial role in the 2005 Champions League Final. He was brought on at half-time, inspiring Liverpool's remarkable comeback victory against AC Milan.
-- Fabinho had a great career in Liverpool. He was a part of the team that won the Champions League in 2019 and was elected to the Champions League Team of the Season in the 2021–22 season after Liverpool again reached the Final.
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| Fabinho |
-- Lucas Leiva was honored as the Premier League Player of the Year by the Northwest Football Awards in 2011. From 2010 to 2016, he topped the Premier League's tackle charts five times in six seasons. His impressive defensive record also places him second for the most tackles in Premier League history.
-- Javier Mascherano's career here was shorter as compared the other defensive midfielders selected.
-- Jan Mølby stands out as one of the initial outstanding foreign players to grace Liverpool's field. Over a span of 12 seasons, he showcased remarkable passing abilities, earning a reputation as one of the greatest passers in the club's history. Nevertheless, the younger generation may argue that Xabi Alonso surpasses him in passing prowess. Xabi Alonso was voted 13th on "the 100 Players Who Shook The Kop" in 2013. He was the hero of the 2005 Champions' League title. Both players were undisputed.
-- Mohamed Salah is a right wing forward. As of 2024, Mohamed Salah is in his 8th season with Liverpool, already ranking as the club's third All-Time leading scorer. Salah, a two-time PFA Player of the Year, has also clinched every possible title with Liverpool FC. He is the first player to score 40 goals in a season since Ian Rush.
-- Craig Johnston would have been my second right wing or midfielder. Many people saw him as an Australian, but he was capped by England Under-21 team. He also turned down a call-up by Australia. By football's international status, he should not be considered as a foreign player. I never liked Dirk Kuyt as a winger, but at Liverpool, he excelled on the right side. He was unable to play in the center because of Fernando Torres. Despite not being a traditional winger, Kuyt was a true warrior on the right flank, compensating for his limitations with sheer effort and determination. He was a cult hero in Anfield. The website "This is Anfield" also named him on their Foreign Best XI. However, for the second right winger, I went all the way to the 1930's for Berry Nieuwenhuys. He spent 14 years with Liverpool. During his peak, he was regarded as one of the finest wingers in England, in an era that also featured Stanley Matthews.
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| Berry Nieuwenhuys -- On the left, Sadio Mane was named on the PFA Team of the Yearr four times. His impact on the team was far greater those individual awards. Philippe Coutinho won several important awards during his time at Liverpool, starting with the PFA Team of the Year for the 2014–15 Premier League season. He was also named to the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season in 2015–16. Finally, he was recognized as the Premier League Player of the Year by the Northwest Football Awards in 2016. However, his form duped after his departure from Liverpool, but his career outside of Liverpool would not affect his status with this team. |
-- Liverpool had many other great left-sided attackers. Luis Garcia, Maxi Rodriguez and Harry Kewell played as an attack midfielder or left-sided wing/forward. Patrik Berger spent 7 years in Liverpool, but was often used as a bench player.
-- Roberto Firmino was the least known member of a forward line that included Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. He had a long tenure at Liverpool, initially starting his career as a left winger but primarily playing as a false nine alongside Salah and Mané. I felt that his best position would be as a side forward, but he did not secure a spot on that position because he was mainly a forward. However, I took him as an attack midfielder.
-- Vladimír Šmicer made a huge impact on the Final of the 2005 Champions' League. He scored Liverpool's second goal during regulation and he then scored Liverpool's fourth penalty in the shootout. However, the other part of his career here did not stand out. Patrik Berger's debut season was remarkable, yet his tenure was marred by injuries as time went on. Thiago Alcântara's stay in Liverpool was marked with a lot of injuries. Jari Litmanen was voted as the 76th greatest footballer in 2013 for the "the 100 Players Who Shook The Kop". In actuality, he only spent a single season, playing mainly as a bench player. So, I do not think the poll reflected anything. They all made honorable mentions only.
Forwards
-- Luis Suarez won both PFA and FWA Player of the Year while playing for Liverpool. However, he didn't make it into my Liverpool's All-Time team, as he played for the club for only three and a half seasons. The other candidates were more established Liverpool icons, making his tenure seem less significant in comparison. This omission was controversial, especially since FourFourTwo ranked him as the fourth greatest player in Liverpool's history. He was the second best foreigner on the list after Mohamed Salah. Nevertheless, he is undisputed for this team.
-- Fernando Torres was ranked ninth in the "100 Players Who Shook the Kop" list in 2013. He also holds the record as the fastest player to score 50 goals in the club's history. He also had an international reputation as one of the top strikers of his time.
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| Fernando Torres |
Formation
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