Mohamed Salah, Steven Gerrard and the 25 best Liverpool players of the 21st century – ranked
GOAL counts down the greatest Reds of the past quarter-century, based on talent, trophies, impact and longevity After struggling terribly ...
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Tag: with both men enjoying success in continental competition. However
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After struggling terribly during the tail end of the 21st century, Liverpool have re-established themselves as one of the best clubs in world football over the past 25 years, winning two Champions Leagues and a UEFA Cup.
Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez played pivotal parts, with both men enjoying success in continental competition. However, it was only after the arrival of Jurgen Klopp, after yet another slump, that the Reds really reclaimed their place among the elite. Under the German, Liverpool not only ended their 30-year English title drought, they also won a sixth European Cup.
Of course, none of these things could have been achieved without top-class players, and Anfield has witnessed an awful lot of them over the past 25 years. Who are the best, though?
Below, GOAL counts down the 25 finest footballers to have lined out for Liverpool this century, with their inclusion and rankings taking a variety of factors into account, including talent, trophies, impact and longevity (only those to have spent at least three seasons at the club have been considered for selection).
As always, let us know in the comments section who should be higher, who should be lower, who shouldn't be there at all and who's been criminally overlooked!
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Getty Images Sport25Joel Matip
It was such a pity that Joel Matip's Liverpool career ended on such a low, with the Cameroonian suffering an ACL injury in December 2023 that ruled him out for the remainder of his final season at Anfield. If Klopp had remained as manager, Matip may well have been offered a new deal, given the German rated the defender so highly. After all, Matip had joined on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016 and went on to form a formidable centre-back pairing with Virgil van Dijk that provided the foundation for the 2019 Champions League success. Injuries became an issue thereafter, but Matip still managed to become a cult hero on the Kop, as much for his character as the quality of his defender. As Klopp said, his assist against Spurs in Madrid "detonated an explosion in the LFC family. What a moment. What a player."-
Getty Images24Daniel Sturridge
It's often forgotten just how good a player Daniel Sturridge was when fully fit - primarily because he could never stay fully fit for long. The former England international was plagued by injuries throughout his time at Anfield - he never managed to play more than 29 league games across a single season - but when he was in peak physical condition, he was sensational. Sturridge was an atypical English forward in that he was technically gifted and blessed with a flair for the spectacular, making the partnership he formed with Luis Suarez, which so nearly propelled Liverpool to the 2013-14 title, box-office viewing. His injury issues prevented him from becoming a true Anfield great but he still scored 67 goals - some of which were utterly sublime.-
Getty23Javier Mascherano
Javier Mascherano upset Liverpool fans with the way in which in went about securing a move to Barcelona and he knew it too. He even went so far as to dedicate the Blaugrana's 2011 Champions League final win over Manchester United to the Reds who supported him so enthusiastically during his time on Merseyside. Mascherano had been easy to embrace, as he was the kind of snarling presence in the middle of the park that Liverpool had been so sorely lacking. With his aggression and underrated technical ability, he played a pivotal role in the run to the 2007 Champions League final. "He's a monster of a player," as Rafa Benitez famously enthused. -
AFP22Diogo Jota
Plenty of Liverpool fans will freely admit that they were puzzled by the club's decision to pay £41 million ($55m) for Diogo Jota in September 2020, but the recruitment team knew exactly what they were doing. This was a hard-working and technically excellent attacker capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, making him an ideal signing for Klopp. At the time of writing, he's scored 59 goals for Liverpool in all competitions, but it would have been so many more had he not been repeatedly sidelined by injury over the years. Indeed, Jamie Carragher has repeatedly argued that Jota is the best finisher the club has ever had during the Premier League era - which is quite the compliment when one considers the quality of his rivals for that particular title.-
Getty21Pepe Reina
Liverpool had won the 2005 Champions League thanks in no small part to the heroics of goalkeeper Jerzey Dudek, but then-manager Rafael Benitez felt he needed an upgrade. Pepe Reina proved exactly that. A brilliant shot-stopper that also drew praise from the great Gigi Buffon for his distribution of the ball with his feet, Reina won three consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards between 2006 and 2008. "It is this consistency that makes him a top-class goalkeeper," Benitez pointed out. The Spaniard was also something of a specialist when it came to saving penalties, as he underlined in the FA Cup final win over West Ham, and the Champions League semi-final defeat of Chelsea. -
Getty20Dirk Kuyt
Given Dirk Kuyt arrived at Anfield having scored 71 goals in 101 league games for Feyenoord, the hope was that the Dutch forward would prove just as prolific in England. However, while he never came close to matching his Eredivisie strike-rate in the Premier League, Kuyt became a cult hero on the Kop, a beloved 'big-game player' with an exceptional work-rate who always made time to meet, greet and acknowledge fans. Kuyt scored in both the 2007 Champions League final loss to AC Milan and the League Cup final win over Birmingham City in 2012, but is probably best remembered for his hat-trick against Manchester United in between. He once described himself as a "battler", but he was also impressively versatile and unselfish and, as Johann Cruyff once said, "someone like Kuyt is worth his weight in gold."-
Getty19James Milner
An absolute shoo-in for the Premier League Hall of Fame and yet James Milner remains criminally underrated by the majority of English football followers, rarely featuring in debates on the finest players ever to grace the competition. He couldn't be held in higher esteem at Anfield, though. Milner joined on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2015 and spent eight years on Merseyside, winning everything worth winning. Right until the end, he was an incredibly influential figure, the standard by which all other players were judged when it came to professionalism and fitness levels. He also proved himself a complete footballer, capable of playing in almost any position on the pitch. When he finally left in 2023, Klopp said, "Nothing positive that happened in the last seven-and-a-half years would have happened without James Milner." -
Getty Images18Gini Wijnaldum
Gini Wijnaldum's free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021 hit Liverpool hard. A multi-talented midfielder signed from Newcastle, Wijnaldum had played a pivotal role in the Reds winning the Champions League and the Premier League, with the most memorable moments of his Anfield career unquestionably coming in that historic come-from-behind win over Barcelona, in which the Dutchman scored twice after coming off the bench. "There is nothing I won’t miss about him," Klopp said at the time of Wijnaldum's departure. "He's one of the smartest players I have ever had the privilege to coach. His contribution was off the scale, a manager’s dream. But as a person he’ll leave just as big a hole. A more giving individual you could not wish to meet... Farewell, Gini: you came, you saw, you won the lot. You’re a Liverpool legend now and forever."-
Getty17Sami Hyppia
It was a tip-off from a cameraman that led to Liverpool solving their long-standing issues at centre-back by signing Sami Hyypia from Willem II in 1999 for just £2.6 million ($3.5m). The relatively unknown Finn quickly became a firm fan favourite at Anfield, helping Liverpool win the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup as co-captain in 2000-01. Hyppia was given the armband on a permanent basis the following season, and although he was usurped not long after by Steven Gerrard, he remained a key figure in the Reds' line-up, with his centre-back partnership with Jamie Carragher proving fundamental to the shock Champions League win in 2005. Carragher has since labelled Hyppia the best "pound-for-pound" signing in the club's history for "the price tag, the never being injured, the 10 years' service he gave and the trophies he was part of winning." -
Getty Images16Jordan Henderson
Brendan Rodgers infamously tried to send Jordan Henderson to Fulham in August 2012 in order to sign Clint Dempsey. Luckily for Liverpool, the much-maligned midfielder rejected the transfer to Craven Cottage and ultimately became a key member in the team that came so agonisingly close to winning the title two years later. Henderson's importance only grew under Rodgers' successor, Klopp, and he finally got his hands on the Premier League trophy in 2020, leading Liverpool to their first championship success in 30 years with his relentless pressing and underrated passing. Does Henderson rank as one of the most talented players ever to play for the Reds? Absolutely not. But his role in one of the most successful spells in the club's history is beyond dispute.-
AFP15Philippe Coutinho
If only Philippe Coutinho had stayed at Anfield... The Brazilian was a joy to behold at his brilliant best, a fantastically elusive attacking midfielder with keen vision, quick feet and an explosive strike. Of course, Coutinho's sale helped fund two transformative transfers (Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker), but it was nonetheless a shame - particularly for the former Inter man - that he spent such little time alongside Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah because some of the football the 'Fab Four' played was truly thrilling. It was Coutinho's call at the end of the day, though, and it backfired badly, with his career going into free fall after joining Barcelona. But the Kop has plenty of fond memories of a player that Klopp once compared to Alessandro Del Piero. -
Getty14Fernando Torres
Few departures have ever hit Reds as hard as Fernando Torres' transfer to Chelsea during the 2011 January transfer window, as the Spaniard was absolutely adored at Anfield. He had arrived on Merseyside with a big reputation (and a You'll Never Walk Alone tattoo) and immediately endeared himself to the Kop with a goal on his home debut that showcased his amazing turn of pace and clinical finishing. Despite his fantastic strike-rate (he reached 50 league goals quicker than any player in club history) and forming a potent partnership with Steven Gerrard, Liverpool didn't lift a single trophy during Torres' time at the club, which was the main reason why he decided to leave for Chelsea. Unfortunately for Torres, while he won titles at Stamford Bridge, he was never the same electrifying attacker ever again.-
Getty Images13Michael Owen
Michael Owen should have become a Liverpool legend. A prodigiously gifted academy product that exploded onto the scene as a teenager, the jet-heeled striker had a Ballon d'Or in the bag before he'd even turned 22, after firing Liverpool to a cup treble in 2001. However, a lot of Reds have never forgiven Owen for leaving for Real Madrid three years later (and later joining bitter rivals Manchester United, of course!). Still, there is simply no denying that Owen remains one of the most exciting young talents Anfield has ever seen, a lethal finisher with blistering pace and a cheeky smile that ripped defences to shreds. Had he not been plagued by hamstring issues caused by his explosive speed, he'd have become an all-time great; he was that good during his early years at Liverpool. -
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Gett12Jamie Carragher
The childhood Everton fan that became a Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher remains a divisive figure in football to this day. What cannot be questioned, though, is his status as an all-time great at Anfield. After all, it takes a special kind of player - and character - to spend 17 years in the Reds' senior squad. Carragher demonstrated impressive versatility as a youngster before eventually becoming a permanent fixture at centre-half under Rafa Benitez, and while he never won the Premier League, he did lift the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the FA Cup (twice) and the League Cup (three times). Carragher is just one of those all-too-rare one-club icons, like Francesco Totti and Paolo Maldini. "A rare breed," as Michael Owen put it shortly after the defender announced his retirement in 2013, "and a privilege to play alongside, room with and be big mates with one of football's real men."-
Getty Images Sport11Xabi Alonso
Rafa Benitez has repeatedly claimed that the circumstances surrounding Xabi Alonso's Liverpool exit remain misunderstood, even alleging that the Spaniard had an agreement in place to join Arsenal before eventually moving to Real Madrid. However, the mere fact that Benitez deemed Alonso expendable reflects horribly on the former manager, given we're talking about one of the finest midfielders ever to play for the club and a key figure in the 2005 Champions League triumph. A combative but classy operator, Alonso was adept at both winning and using the ball. His footballing intelligence was off the scale - Pep Guardiola always knew Alonso was destined to become a great coach - while he had every pass in the playbook, allowing him to make full use of his incredible vision. "The best midfielder I've ever played with," said Steven Gerrard. -
Getty Images Sport10Fabinho
Little was seen of Fabinho during his first few months of his time at Anfield, sparking fears that Liverpool had signed a dud from Monaco. Nothing could have been further from the truth, though, with the defensive midfielder becoming one of the most significant signings of Jurgen Klopp's tenure. After mastering the most difficult role in the German's team, Fabinho helped the Reds win nearly every major trophy in the club game, thus establishing himself as one of the finest No.6s in world football. Klopp called him 'Dyson' because of the way in which he cleaned up messes and hoovered up possession, while assistant coach Pep Lijnders labelled him Liverpool's 'lighthouse' - when he didn't play, they were lost without him. Fabinho may have struggled in his final season on Merseyside, but the fact that they're still searching for a worthy successor says everything you need to know about his quality.-
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Getty Images9Roberto Firmino
Brendan Rodgers had absolutely no idea what to do with Roberto Firmino. He even used the Brazilian forward blessed with a heavenly touch as a right-wing-back shortly before his dismissal from the Anfield dugout. Jurgen Klopp, though, knew all about Firmino's many talents from the Brazilian's time in the Bundesliga and, after taking over as manager in October 2015, the former Borussia Dortmund boss quickly set about getting the best out of the atypical No.9. Klopp made Firmino the fulcrum of his attack, knowing full well that he would be the perfect centre-forward for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to play off, and with the striker working tirelessly to create space and opportunities for his team-mates, Liverpool conquered Europe, England and then the world. Firmino may never have been as prolific as either Mane or Salah but they never would have scored as many goals without his intelligent movement and delightful lay-offs. -
Getty8Sadio Mane
It's been sad to see what's become of Sadio Mane since leaving Liverpool in 2022, with the Senegalese flopping spectacularly at Bayern Munich before moving to the Saudi Pro League. However, his legacy at Anfield hasn't been affected by his subsequent struggles. Mane was outstanding from the moment he joined from Southampton in 2016, and while his wonderful work on the left wing was sometimes overshadowed by Mohamed Salah's goal-scoring exploits on the opposite flank, it should not be forgotten that he finished second in the 2022 Ballon d'Or vote. An industrious, intelligent and incisive attacker, Mane also had a knack of scoring big goals in big games. "A massive, massive player," as Jurgen Klopp once said. "The mix of technique, desire and physicality he has - he's just a machine!"-
Getty Images Sport7Andy Robertson
The shrewdest signing in Liverpool's history? Little was expected of Andy Robertson when he arrived at Anfield from Hull City in July 2017 for just £8 million ($10m), but he impressed on his debut, winning Man of the Match against Crystal Palace, before taking full advantage of an injury to first-choice left-back Alberto Moreno to lock down a regular spot in the starting line-up. Robertson hasn't looked back since. He may not be quite as talented as Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he's more tenacious and only slightly less threatening. Indeed, the pair have combined to devastating effect over the years, tormenting opposition full-backs with their rampaging runs and quality crossing. Robertson was essentially the personification of Klopp’s relentless Reds. Jose Mourinho even once said of the indefatigable Scot, "I get tired just looking at Robertson!" -
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Getty Images6Trent Alexander-Arnold
In Trent Alexander-Arnold's own words, he's "just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has come true" - and it really is that simple, and that wonderful, a story. He's been on the books of his hometown club since he was six years old and, at just 25, he's already achieved iconic status - thanks in no small part to the most famous quickly-taken corner in football history. Alexander-Arnold has always had his critics, of course, but there are few better passers of a ball in world football. As even ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville has pointed out, it's like Liverpool have Kevin De Bruyne or David Beckham at right-back. He's also won every major honour in the club game, and if he shuns the interest of Real Madrid to remain on Merseyside, there's no doubt he'll end up realising another dream by captaining Liverpool.-
AFP5Alisson Becker
It was made painfully clear to Liverpool during their Lorius Karius-inflicted loss to Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final that they would need a world-class shot-stopper if they were to win major honours, so they went out and made Alisson the most expensive goalkeeper in football history. The 67-million signing from Roma proved money exceptionally well spent, as Alisson quickly set about wowing Anfield not only with his incredible reflex saves, but also his wondrous range of passing. He's also proven pretty useful in the air, even popping up with a dramatic late winner at West Brom that helped Liverpool secure a top-four finish in 2021. Alisson has made the odd error over the years, but he has repeatedly come to the Reds' rescue with stunning saves that often defy all logic. One could easily argue Liverpool have never had a more influential goalkeeper. -
Getty4Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool were so convinced that the Dutchman was the leader they so desperately needed that they refused to give up on signing him from Southampton. In the end, they had to pay a world-record fee for a defender in order to convince Southampton to part with the centre-back but, for £75 million (€84m), Van Dijk has actually proven a bargain buy. Over the past seven years, he has been the beating heart of the backline, an incredibly composed character that transmits calmness to everyone around him. Consequently, the best defender in the world by some distance was the obvious choice to succeed Jordan Henderson as skipper in the summer of 2023 and he, rather fittingly, scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Chelsea to claim the first trophy of his captaincy earlier this year.-
Getty Images3Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez spent just three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, but he packed in so many goals and so much drama that it felt like 10. The utterly unpredictable Uruguayan was a true force of nature, a human whirlwind that rocked the Kop to its very core. He scored 82 times in just 133 appearances in all competitions - winning a European Golden Shoe along the way - and proved himself not just a great goal-scorer, but a scorer of great goals. Indeed, during his final two seasons at Liverpool, it genuinely felt as if Suarez were capable of scoring from anywhere - and no matter how many opponents were around him. In the end, there were more bites than trophies, but few players in the history of the club have ever left such a lasting impression. -
Getty2Mohamed Salah
The 'Egyptian King' remains underappreciated by many football fans, which is absolutely ridiculous given there's no overstating his importance to the Jurgen Klopp era. The outrageously prolific winger has been the model of consistency from the moment he arrived at Anfield from Roma in the summer of 2017, even breaking the Premier League's single-season goal-scoring record in his first year back in England. He's since broken the 200-goal barrier at Liverpool and is showing no signs of slowing down. By the time he's done, Salah - who played a pivotal part in the Reds ending their 30-year title drought and so often saves his very best performances for games against Manchester City and Manchester United - is likely to be regarded as one of the finest players in Premier League history.-
Getty Images Sport1Steven Gerrard
Liverpool's former captain was a real-life 'Roy of the Rovers', a multi-talented midfielder renowned for stunning strikes and, perhaps most importantly of all, repeatedly stepping up to the mark when it mattered most. A pretty average Liverpool simply wouldn't have won the 2005 Champions League without him, with Gerrard keeping Rafa Benitez's team in the competition with a sensational half-volley against Olympiacos in the group stage before turning in a truly heroic performance in the epic comeback win over AC Milan in the final. The following season, he inspired Liverpool to FA Cup glory over West Ham in what became known as 'The Gerrard Final'. In total, Gerrard spent 17 years in the senior side, many of which he spent carrying the club, and was included in the Premier League team of the season on a record eight occasions. Quite simply, one of the greatest players in Liverpool's history.
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