I just thought I would write an article on some of the players that have been favourites of mine over the years. There has been so many since I started supporting this great club since about 1982. Everybody has their own favourites and I hope you can relate to some of mine. This is my list of players in no particular order.
Kenny Dalglish – Well I think he is most supporters’ favourite, and he is the reason I started supporting Liverpool. He was just an amazing player, I loved the way he shielded the ball from defenders and his vision and passing was just the best. For not being the quickest he certainly made up for it with his brain thinking quicker than anybody else. A great finisher too, where he never seemed to blast a shot, he always placed his shot, usually in spectacular fashion.
Ian Rush – Probably the greatest finisher our club has seen, amazing goal scoring record. Rush and Dalglish formed a lethal partnership in the 80’s. Rush had great speed which took him into goal scoring positions, but his work rate was unbelievable as he complimented Liverpool’s style of play by defending from the front.
Graeme Souness – A great player and captain of the club who had so much ability with an arrogance about him as he strutted about the midfield like a general marshalling his troops. A terrific passer of the ball and not frightened to put the boot in if things got tough. Nobody got the better of Souness if things got physical. A true Liverpool great.
Mark Lawrenson – I honestly thought he was the best defender in the world at the time when he played with us. He was such a great defender who read the game so well and was a superb tackler. Lawrenson had tremendous speed which helped him retrieve so many situations. He was also very good at springing an attack and venturing forward. I would put Lawrenson as my favourite defender.
Alan Hansen – A terrific defender and servant to the club eventually captaining the team to glory. Hansen always looked so casual and under control of the situation. A brilliant reader of the game and the best defender I have seen at bringing the ball out from defence, he started so many attacks for Liverpool with his great ability. Another Liverpool legend.
Phil Neal – A great servant who won more trophies than any other player in our history. But I thought he was such an under rated defender and was so good at going forward. Hardly ever missed a game, holds the record for most consecutive games for the Reds, Mr. Consistency.
Bruce Grobbelaar – A great keeper who could also entertain, sometimes ending up with an odd mistake. But loved by the Kop and he could save the unsavable with his amazing agility. The first keeper I noticed that could spring an attack with his quick release from hand or foot. Great memories highlighted by his antics in Rome.
John Barnes- Second only to Kenny as my favourite player of all time, in his prime he was amazing with his speed and control tying defenders in knots before scoring spectacular goals. Created so many chances with his creative play from the wing and also when he played more central. Had to change his game later in his career after injury reduced his speed, he enjoyed a new role in the centre of midfield in which he thrived on spraying passes around and rarely losing possession.
Steve McMahon – I know he played with Everton but he turned out to be a great player for us, I loved his energy and drive he showed in the midfield, he could weigh in with a few goals too. He was an important player for us in the engine room of that great side of the eighties.
John Aldridge – A great striker who lived out his dream by signing for Liverpool. Slotted into the side with ease with the likes of Barnes, Beardsley and Houghton signing around the same time. Aldridge thrived on the attacking style of the team and was a fans’ favourite.
Steve McManaman – A tremendously talented player with great dribbling ability. I loved it when he went on one of his dribbles. His goals always seemed spectacular. Sorry when he left us, but I was still pleased for him with the success he enjoyed at Madrid.
Robbie Fowler – I’m sure he is on every supporters list. One of the greatest finishers ever. He such an ability for scoring goals, he could score goals from anywhere. Should have won many more England caps. It was great to see him return to us for a second spell. He will always be remembered fondly at Liverpool.
Sami Hyypia – A classy defender who was a great servant. A great reader of the game, not the quickest but great positional sense. Sami was also dominant in the air and could weigh in with a few goals.
Gary McAllister – Came to the club in the twilight of his career, and what an impact he made. In my view he was the player of the season in our famous treble winning season of 2001. He was so instrumental and what about that goal against Everton . Wish we had him here longer.
Jamie Carragher – I just love him for his attitude and desire to win. Jamie has been a great servant to the club and long may he continue. He has been so important for us playing in various positions over the years, but always gives 100% and puts his body on the line for the team.
Steven Gerrard – A superb player, all time great. Has carried this team for years. Who can forget his rallying cry after scoring in Istanbul, then the amazing FA Cup final against West Ham which once again dragged us from the clutches of defeat. Gerrard showed his commitment to the club when Chelsea looked to sign him. I only put Kenny and John Barnes ahead of him.
Luis Suarez – I have to put him on my list already, such an impact he has made in such a short space of time. Such ability and his work rate is unbelievable. Suarez is loved already by the Kop. Such an exciting player.
These are the players that have stood out for me over the years. I’m sure I’ll add to this list in the future as the future is looking bright.
Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who blogs at The Liverword
Former Reds striker Fowler said there was "something not quite right" about Torres' $A80 million move to Chelsea earlier this week.
Although they lost Torres Liverpool did splash out around $A95m on Newcastle's Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez from Ajax.
He will be featured in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial match against Everton XI at Anfield next weekend. Owen, reviled by some Liverpool fans after crossing one of the game's oldest divides, is said to be uncertain of the reaction he will get from the Anfield crowd but does not have great expectations considering the abuse when he returned last season for the first time since joining their rivals at Old Trafford.
