From Dalglish to Salah: The top 25 footballers who have played for Liverpool FC

Welcome to our list of the greatest football players who have ever worn the famous red shirt of Liverpool FC! Over the years, Liverpool has been blessed with an abundance of talent, with many world-class players gracing the pitch at Anfield. In this list, we’ve compiled a ranking of the top 25 footballers who have played for the club, taking into account their achievements, impact, and legacy. From legends like Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard, to modern greats like Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, this list includes some of the most influential and talented players in the history of Liverpool FC. We hope you enjoy reading about these footballing giants and their incredible careers!

  1. Kenny Dalglish – Dalglish is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Liverpool FC. During his playing career, he won four First Division titles, three European Cups, and five domestic cups with the Reds. He also won the Ballon d’Or in 1983, becoming the first Scottish player to win the award.
  2. Steven Gerrard – Gerrard is an English former professional footballer who spent the majority of his career at Liverpool FC. He is widely considered one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, and is known for his leadership, technical ability, and goalscoring prowess. Gerrard won the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup with Liverpool, and was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 2005.
  3. Ian Rush – Rush is a Welsh former professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of Liverpool FC. He scored a total of 346 goals for the Reds in all competitions, making him the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. Rush won five First Division titles, three FA Cups, and five domestic cups with Liverpool, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1984.
  4. Mohamed Salah – Salah is an Egyptian professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool FC as a forward. Since joining the Reds in 2017, he has become one of the most prolific goalscorers in the club’s history, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in his first season with the club. Salah has also won the Champions League and the Club World Cup with Liverpool.
  5. Roberto Firmino – Firmino is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liverpool FC. He has been an integral part of the club’s success in recent years, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the Club World Cup with the Reds. Firmino is known for his versatility, technical ability, and creativity in the final third.
  6. John Barnes – Barnes is a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest attacking players in the history of Liverpool FC. During his time with the Reds, he won two First Division titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. Barnes was known for his pace, dribbling ability, and goalscoring prowess, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1988 and 1990.
  7. Graeme Souness – Souness is a retired Scottish professional footballer and manager who played for Liverpool FC as a midfielder in the 1970s and 1980s. He is considered one of the greatest players in the club’s history, having won five First Division titles, three European Cups, and four domestic cups with the Reds. Souness was known for his tough tackling, leadership, and passing ability, and went on to have a successful career as a manager after retiring as a player.
  8. Jamie Carragher – Carragher is a retired English professional footballer who spent his entire playing career at Liverpool FC. He is one of the most decorated players in the club’s history, having won the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup with the Reds. Carragher was known for his toughness, determination, and leadership, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the club.
  9. Sami Hyypiä – Hyypiä is a retired Finnish professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent 10 years with the Reds, winning the Champions League, the FA Cup, and two League Cups. Hyypiä was known for his leadership, defensive awareness, and aerial ability, and was named the Premier League Player of the Season in 2002.
  10. Xabi Alonso – Alonso is a retired Spanish professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He spent five years at Liverpool FC, winning the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup with the Reds. Alonso was known for his passing ability, vision, and long-range shooting, and was named the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2007.
  11. Emlyn Hughes – Hughes is a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest captains in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent 13 years with the Reds, winning four First Division titles, two European Cups, and an FA Cup. Hughes was known for his leadership, tenacity, and versatility, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1977.
  12. Luis Suarez – Suarez is a Uruguayan professional footballer who currently plays for Atletico Madrid. He spent three and a half seasons at Liverpool FC, where he became one of the most prolific goalscorers in the club’s history. Suarez won the Premier League Golden Boot in his final season with the Reds, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 2014.
  13. Kevin Keegan – Keegan is a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest attacking players in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent six years with the Reds, winning three First Division titles, an FA Cup, and a UEFA Cup. Keegan was known for his pace, goalscoring ability, and creative play, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1971, 1973, and 1974.
  14. Fabinho – Fabinho is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool FC as a defensive midfielder. He has been an integral part of the club’s success in recent years, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the Club World Cup with the Reds. Fabinho is known for his defensive skills, passing ability, and versatility.
  15. Phil Neal – Neal is a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest full-backs in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent 11 years with the Reds, winning four First Division titles, three European Cups, and four domestic cups. Neal was known for his defensive solidity, leadership, and overlapping runs, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1976.
  16. Alan Hansen – Hansen is a retired Scottish professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent 14 years with the Reds, winning eight First Division titles, three European Cups, and four domestic cups. Hansen was known for his defensive awareness, leadership, and passing ability, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1988.
  17. Dirk Kuyt – Kuyt is a retired Dutch professional footballer who is considered one of the most hardworking and effective forwards in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent six years with the Reds, winning the League Cup and the UEFA Cup. Kuyt was known for his tireless work ethic, goalscoring ability, and versatility, and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in March 2011.
  18. Bruce Grobbelaar – Grobbelaar is a retired Zimbabwean professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent 13 years with the Reds, winning six First Division titles, three European Cups, and five domestic cups. Grobbelaar was known for his reflexes, agility, and unorthodox style of play, and was named the Premier League Goalkeeper of the Season in 1995.
  19. Alisson Becker – Alisson is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool FC as a goalkeeper. He has been an integral part of the club’s success in recent years, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the Club World Cup with the Reds. Alisson is known for his shot-stopping ability, command of his area, and distribution skills, and was named the Premier League Golden Glove winner in 2019.
  20. Harry Kewell – Kewell is a retired Australian professional footballer who is considered one of the most talented attacking players of his generation. He spent five years at Liverpool FC, winning the Champions League and the FA Cup with the Reds. Kewell was known for his pace, dribbling ability, and goalscoring prowess, and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1999.
  21. Ray Clemence – Clemence is a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent 11 years with the Reds, winning five First Division titles, three European Cups, and four domestic cups. Clemence was known for his shot-stopping ability, command of his area, and leadership, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1980.
  22. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Alexander-Arnold is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool FC as a right-back. He has been a key player for the Reds in recent years, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold is known for his attacking prowess, crossing ability, and set-piece delivery, and was named the Premier League Young Player of the Month in February 2018.
  23. Gini Wijnaldum – Wijnaldum is a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool FC as a central midfielder. He has been an integral part of the club’s success in recent years, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the Club World Cup with the Reds. Wijnaldum is known for his passing ability, work rate, and versatility, and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in January 2021.
  24. Mark Lawrenson – Lawrenson is a retired Irish professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of Liverpool FC. He spent seven years with the Reds, winning five First Division titles, three European Cups, and three domestic cups. Lawrenson was known for his defensive solidity, leadership, and passing ability, and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1981.
  25. Sadio Mane – Mane is a Senegalese professional footballer who currently plays for Liverpool FC as a forward. He has been a key player for the Reds in recent years, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, and the Club World Cup with the club. Mane is known for his pace, dribbling ability, and goalscoring prowess, and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in August 2017.

+4 just because

  1. Jamie Redknapp – Redknapp is a retired English professional footballer who spent the majority of his career at Liverpool FC. He is the son of former Liverpool manager Harry Redknapp, and is considered one of the most talented midfielders of his generation. Redknapp won the League Cup and the UEFA Cup with the Reds, and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1995. He is also known for his media work as a pundit and commentator.
  2. Dean Saunders – Saunders is a retired Welsh professional footballer who spent three seasons at Liverpool FC. He is considered one of the most clinical and consistent goalscorers in the club’s history, having scored 50 goals in all competitions for the Reds. Saunders won the First Division title, the FA Cup, and the League Cup with Liverpool, and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1992.
  3. Dietmar Hamann – Hamann is a retired German professional footballer who spent seven years at Liverpool FC. He is considered one of the most reliable and consistent midfielders in the club’s history, having won the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Cup with the Reds. Hamann was known for his defensive skills, passing ability, and versatility, and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in October 2002.
  4. Michael Owen – Owen is a retired English professional footballer who is considered one of the most talented and prolific goalscorers of his generation. He spent eight years at Liverpool FC, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the UEFA Cup with the Reds. Owen was known for his pace, finishing ability, and goalscoring prowess, and was named the Ballon d’Or winner in 2001.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the top 25 actually 29 football players who have played for Liverpool FC. From the club’s early years, to its modern era of success, Liverpool has had no shortage of talented players who have left their mark on the beautiful game. Whether it’s the grit and determination of Emlyn Hughes, the goalscoring prowess of Ian Rush, or the creative genius of John Barnes, these players have all contributed to the rich history and success of Liverpool FC. We hope this list has provided you with a glimpse into the careers of some of the greatest footballers to ever wear the red shirt, and that it has sparked your appreciation for the club and its proud tradition. Thank you for reading!

Gábor Tompos
Gábor Tompos

Meet Gabor Tompos, a passionate football fan and expert on all things football. Gabor has been following the game for over 20 years and has developed a deep understanding of the strategies, players, and teams that make up the beautiful game.

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