Liverpool’s rich history of players boasts some of the very best we’ve seen on these shores and there are a whole host of talented figures.
Their history has periods of true success, such as in the 1970s and 1980s when they managed to dominate European football. Jurgen Klopp then brought back a similar feeling across his time at the club, helping them to win the league title for the first time in over 30 years and during both periods of success and failures, fans have been treated to an array of talented players.
While compiling a list of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players differs slightly from a list focusing on pure talent, there is some inevitable crossover. But In terms of what we mean by talent, the players are ranked by their quality and natural ability whilst wearing the famous red shirt – so longevity, achievements, legacy and popularity aren’t factors.
With that in mind, GIVEMESPORT has compiled a list of the 10 most talented players to play for Liverpool.
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15
Alisson
2018-Present
A bold shout perhaps considering some people don’t even consider goalkeepers to be true footballers, but by the time Alisson’s career ends he could well be remembered as one of the all-time greats between the sticks. The Brazil No.1 is uniquely well-rounded; not only is he a world-class shot-stopper, a brilliant judge of coming off his line, and an excellent commander of his penalty area, but he can also rival any goalkeeper in the world for technical ability and composure when playing out of the back, as modern football demands.
His influence at the back was vital as Jurgen Klopp’s side won a Champions League title and in 2019 and the Premier League crown the year after. As far as Liverpool goalkeepers go, perhaps excepting the long-serving Bruce Grobbelar, nobody comes close in terms of pure ability.
14
Graeme Souness
1978-1984
Sometimes misremembered as merely a shin-shattering midfield enforcer, Souness was actually one of the greatest all-round midfielders of his era – someone who would indeed be aggressive in the tackle, but could also dictate games with the ball, create chances for his team-mates and find the net himself from distance.
Souness was a three-time European Cup winner with Liverpool and even won the competition’s Golden Boot for the 1980-81 season with six goals. Throw in Souness’ leadership abilities, having captained the Reds for three seasons before leaving for Sampdoria, and he was an incredibly complete player who provided the spine for Liverpool’s most successful era.
13
Javier Mascherano
2007-2010
Jaiver Mascherano wasn’t at Liverpool very long and yet is up there with the greatest defensive talents to have represented the Merseyside club. Liverpool were quick to acquire the Argentina international from West Ham, where his third-party ownership rights had caused constant controversy, and he helped to forge arguably the best midfield in Europe alongside Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Mascherano would demonstrate his football intelligence even more in his later years as he transitioned into a centre-back at Barcelona, where he twice won the Champions League and was even named the club’s Player of the Season – no small feat when sharing a dressing room with Lionel Messi. He also reached the 2014 World Cup final, but lost to Germany.
12
Robbie Fowler
1993-2001 & 2006-2007
The prodigal son, Robbie Fowler was one of the fans’ most adored players and was one player who exploded straight out of the academy when he was promoted to the first-team. He hit the ground running almost immediately and many have the native scouser as one of the most natural finishers that this country has ever produced – which certainly speaks to his talent.
He netted over 30 goals for three consecutive seasons and held the record for the quickest hat trick in Premier League history before Sadio Mane came along in 2015. Very much a poacher-style forward, he only needed half a chance to find the target, and he was consistent, sharp with his feet and had the ability to finish from all different angles. Having later returned for a second spell in the twilight of his career, he was far from the player that exploded onto the scene in the mid-1990s but fans were able to catch a glimpse of one of their old favourites for a second time.
11
Xabi Alonso
2004-2009
Xabi Alonso was one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and announced himself onto the world stage when he played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s shock 2005 Champions League title win, operating as a deep-lying playmaker in midfield. He soon developed a knack for scoring goals from his own half, and thus became one of the most in-demand players in Europe.
The Spaniard was signed by Real Madrid where he added another Champions League title to his trophy cabinet, before spending the latter part of his career at Bayern Munich. Also winning two European Championships and a World Cup with Spain, Alonso is one of the most decorated midfielders of all time having dazzled both internationally and at three of the biggest clubs in the world.
10
Fernando Torres
2007-2011
Having signed with a sizable reputation after being a leading figure in Spain for Atletico Madrid, Fernando Torres roared into life from his debut for Liverpool which helped him to hit the ground running. Apart from a difficult end to his time at Anfield due to injuries, he was virtually unstoppable before that, bullying some of the great defenders of his generation and producing show-stopping moments and goals.
While he was strong and quick, he was brilliant with both feet, capable of beating players with skill and loved to score solo goals. His quality of finishing was a level above many in Europe and there are countless examples of his quality. One standout moment of his talent was when he managed a ‘Cruyff Turn’ against Fabio Cannavaro at Anfield before being denied by Iker Casillas in a game they won 4-0. Or there’s the chest control and half-volley finish against Blackburn Rovers that defied gravity. At his best at Liverpool, he was arguably the most feared striker in Europe.
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9
Michael Owen
1996-2004
Michael Owen was one of the archetypal wonder kids of English football history and his remarkable sharp rise to the top was incredible to witness. He arrived in the Liverpool squad as a 17-year-old and won the Golden Boot just a year later. While his pace was electric and stunned defenders, his ability to react to chances and finish with either foot in several ways demonstrated his brilliant ability.
To be able to cut it at senior level that early in your career takes some serious talent – and it led Owen to the Ballon d’Or in 2001. That made him the first player to win it playing for an English club since George Best in 1968. It is an achievement that has only gotten more impressive over time, but his overall time at Liverpool was easily the peak of his career given the injury woes that later followed.
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8
Trent Alexander-Arnold
2017-Present
Having a right-back on this list is simply a testament to the quality that Trent Alexander-Arnold has and the talent he has displayed since breaking into the first team from the academy in 2017. Since then, he has forged a new path for full-backs in England. His effect on Liverpool at his best is enormous as he virtually became their chief creator and most dangerous player despite his defensive position.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold is like David Beckham when it comes to his delivery. When you look at the full picture as well, his deliveries are as good as anyone I’ve seen in the game.” – Dennis Irwin on Alexander-Arnold.
Every time he plays you will likely witness an incredible long pass or two that has shades of David Beckham. Plus, he can score from distance with low-drilled efforts or powerful curling shots. Then there’s his free-kick expertise, penalty efforts, weight of passes and his ability to unlock defences with his remarkable crossing. To be that effective at right-back takes an incredible amount of talent and quality – and he has both in abundance.
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7
Philippe Coutinho
2013-2018
Having arrived on a low-cost deal as a 21-year-old, the Brazilian diminutive wonderkid Philippe Coutinho was an intriguing signing. While it took him some time to get used to the physicality of the league, once adapted he showed everyone his true ability and potential and quickly became a leading figure for Liverpool.
Blessed with brilliant feet and technique, he began to score with such finesse that he became a real danger every time he could line up a shot. He netted countless goals from distance, and he managed several free-kick efforts as well. There were also solo efforts, brilliant dribbles and moments of skill, and that Brazilian flair saw him develop into one of the league’s best in attack – which prompted Barcelona to fork out an incredible £142million for him.
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6
Luis Suarez
2011-2014
During his time at the club, Luis Suarez very quickly became a superstar in England showcasing an extraordinary tenacity mixed with skill and a high level of technical ability that saw him dribble, score, create, chip and volley his way to the top table of players within the Premier League. It all culminated with that iconic 2013/14 campaign where he won the Player of the Season for one of the best individual campaigns we’ve ever seen.
His 31 goals and 12 assists were of such a high quality that, at times, it felt as if he was just too good for the highest level. Whether it was free-kicks, mazy runs, delicate finishes or wonder goals from distance, his full array of talent was on show. After leaving, he ascended to another level for Barcelona and stands as one of the best of his generation outside of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
5
Kevin Keegan
1971-1977
Kevin Keegan somehow gets forgotten about when naming the greatest players England have ever produced but he remains to this day the only Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or twice, having done so in 1978 and 1979. By that time, Keegan was at Hamburg where he won the Bundesliga and reached a European Cup final.
But his Liverpool career was equally special, winning the First Division three times and the European Cup in 1977 before departing for Germany. Keegan was signed by Bill Shankley as a midfielder but was very quickly pushed up front where he struck an effective partnership with John Toshack, and eventually went on to score 100 goals for the Reds while being an instrumental cog in their all-round play.
4
Mohamed Salah
2017-Present
Salah has been the standout attacking talent during the modern era on Merseyside. He helped fire Jurgen Klopp’s squad to Champions League and Premier League glory, and in recent seasons has transitioned from being a prolific goalscorer into an almost unplayable all-round attacker, equally adept at orchestrating scoring moves as finishing them off.
There’s been plenty of debate about Salah clinching the 2025 Ballon d’Or and the current campaign presents his best case yet for taking football’s greatest individual accolade. Regardless, with almost 250 Reds goals he’s unquestionably one of the greatest talents to have ever played for the club.
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3
Steven Gerrard
1998-2015
One of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players, Steven Gerrard was also one of the club’s most talented given that he could do virtually everything on a football pitch. Playing in central midfield, he had an incredible passing range, could score from all angles from all distances, could rival players in the air and beat them on the ground, and was also a smart and powerful figure who could dominate almost anyone.
His career saw him play all manner of midfield roles, from an attacking midfielder when he formed a partnership with Torres, a standard box-to-box midfielder and then, later in his career, as a deeper-lying figure. Gerrard is so enamored by the Liverpool faithful for being a mostly one-club man and for his dedication to leading the club through good and bad times, but his all-round talent has to be commended and celebrated because there was nothing he couldn’t do.
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2
John Barnes
1987-1997
John Barnes shone at Liverpool and was revered around Europe for his quality. It was clear to see from his career that he was blessed with a natural ability that saw him beat players with ease, score and pass with either foot and generally excite fans whenever he had the ball.
Plus, his versatility speaks to his overall quality as he was able to star on the wing, in attacking midfield, in central midfield and even as a deeper-lying midfielder. His ability to adapt and overall reading of the game was brilliant, and he was simply an incredibly gifted player who shone for club and country.
1
Kenny Dalglish
1977-1990
Part of the incredible side that dominated with trophy successes during his time at the club, Kenny Dalglish was front and centre when it came to the best Liverpool sides and his all-round game was instrumental. He was the runner-up in the 1983 Ballon d’Or and was inducted into both the English and Scottish Halls of Fame for his spectacular career.
Known for his ability to run games in the middle of the pitch, the quick passing and movement that he helped instill into Liverpool’s play were crucial to their success. He could pass, drop deep, join attacks, dribble, score goals and create, and he became known as ‘King Kenny’ for his impact. A stunning figure, he was truly a club legend for his all-round natural talent and quality.
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