A countdown of the greatest players to ever play for Liverpool FC in the Premier League and with great moments from the clubs history from the 90's and 00's.
Position - Defender/Midfielder DOB – 18/06/1971 Place of Birth – Birkenhead, England International Caps - 52 Debut – 16 September 1995 Games for Liverpool - 139 (100 league games) Goals - 6 Achievements – Jason McAteer makes it to number 16 on the list. McAteer was signed in 1995 from Bolton Wanderers after a successful World Cup campaign with Ireland in 1994. The boyhood red had played against Liverpool in the 1995 League Cup final. His impressive performances in central midfield for Bolton and Ireland lead McAteer to be snapped up by the reds for £4.5 million. McAteer was a regular in the side from 1995-1997. He was played as a wing back in Roy Evans system. This allowed McAteer to make surging runs from deep and attack opposition defenders. McAteer was often the starting point for Liverpool attacks and build up play. The tireless worker was versatile and could easily play in midfield as well as defence. McAteer had the crossing ability any winger would want, but he had the knowledge and skills required to operate well in defensive situations. This allowed him to be just as useful in attack as defence. It must also be the reasons why Roy Evans choose to play with wing backs.
This video shows the opening formations of Arsenal Vs Liverpool from 1996 - 97 season. It shows McAteer in the wing back position. At that time Liverpool had the best defensive record in the league.
Lets take a break from the countdown for a moment to relive one of the greatest Premier League games of all time. At the time Newcastle United where flying. Both teams where in the title race and both teams believed they could win it. The Toon army led by Kop hero Kevin Keegan played an all out attacking style that at times left them short at the back. The Liverpool team at the time had England's hottest young talent Robbie Fowler. Everyone was talking about him he was scoring goals for fun. The game was played weeks before my 7th birthday. We had not long got Sky Sports in our house and i remember my mum saying if i didn't behave she wouldn't let me watch the match. So needless to say i was on my best behavior. I'm not going to go through every moment of the game i think Andy Gray and Martin Tyler's commentary can do it better than my words ever could. In my oppinion the mid 90's was when Gray and Tyler where at their peak. They made me so excited for watching football. They fueld the fire that made my love for football everlasting and so strong. I can still repeat word for word the final words spoken by the duo as Collymore lashed the ball into the net. The images are carved in my memory for life. This game is my earliest memory in life and football.
Position - Midfielder DOB – 18/3/1977 Place of Birth – Chester, England International Caps - 9 Debut – 7 August 1997 Games for Liverpool - 249 (170 league games) Goals - 44 Achievements – League Cup (2), FA Cup, UEFA Cup, Charity Shield, European Super Cup
Danny Murphy signed for Liverpool in 1997 from Crewe Alexandra. However he was loaned back to the club. Murphy’s Liverpool career finally got underway in the 2000-2001 season. He was a key part of Gerard Houllier’s side that started the new decade with trophy after trophy. Murphy scored three priceless goals for Liverpool against rivals Manchester United. All the goals coming in 1-0 wins at Old Trafford, a ground that Liverpool had had little luck at in previous seasons. Murphy started the UEFA Cup final against Deportivo Alaves in 2001.This was Liverpool’s third UEFA Cup final. It was also the final trophy in Liverpool’s unique treble that season. The game itself will always be remembered by Liverpool fans, as this was the game that put Liverpool back on the European map. The reds won the game 5-4 in extra time after Gary McAlister’s free kick was headed into his own net by Alaves’s Geli. Murphy was ever present in the side at this time. He played his part in both FA and League Cup final’s. Murphy was a regular under Houllier but the arrival of Rafael Benitez changed things. Murphy was sold to Charlton Athletic in 2004. Murphy will always be remembered by Liverpool fans for his goals at Old Trafford and a winner in the Merseyside derby. He was a reliable, honest, hardworking midfield playmaker. He played alongside Steven Gerrard at crucial time in his Liverpool career and undoubltably held the young scouser learn his trade and develop into the class act he is now. That is why Danny Murphy makes it into the 17th spot on the countdown.
Position - Goalkeeper DOB - 31/8/1982 Place of Birth - Madrid, Spain International Caps - 19 Debut - Total Network Solutions Games for Liverpool - 236 (173 league games) Goals - 0 Achievements - FA Cup, Uefa Super Cup, Fa Community Shield
José Manuel Reina nicknamed Pepe Reina signed for Liverpool from Villareal in 2005. He was Rafael Benitez's third Spanish signing. Pepe took no time in making the place between the sticks his. In doing so Jerzy Dudek one of the heroes of Liverpool's Champions League victory in Istanbul was relegated to the bench. The 2005-06 season was succesfull for Liverpool as the newly crowned European Champions won the FA Cup. There latest Spanish hero was right in the thick of it. The game has been viewed by many as one of the greatest FA Cup finals ever. The game finished 3-3 as Liverpool twice came from behind agaisnt West Ham United. A late Steven Gerrard piledriver took the game to extra time and eventually penalties. Reina saved penalties from, Bobby Zamora, Paul Konchesky and Anton Ferdinand to help the reds win there seventh FA Cup. Not only did Reina win an FA Cup in his first season in the Liverpool net he also broke a number of records at the club. On 3 December 2005 Reina beat David James's record of 5 consecutive clean sheets in Premier League games. Pepe made his sixth consecutive clean sheet against Wigan Athletic. Reina's incredible run ended at eight league games, when Everton's James Beattie headed past him during Liverpool's 3-1 Merseyside derby win on the 28th December 2005. Reina also broke Liverpool's consecutive clean-sheet record. Pepe Reina went 11 games between October and December 2005. Mineiro, of São Paulo, finally scored past him on 18 December 2005 during the FIFA Club World Cup Final. The Brazilian outfit beat their European oppostion 1-0. In the following months Reina countinued to break records. On 16 April 2006, Reina celebrated his 50th appearance for Liverpool by keeping a clean sheet against the Lanchshire club Blackburn Rovers. Reina had now only conceded 29 goals in his first 50 games for Liverpool. This set a new record at the ckub for the fewest goals conceded by a keeper in their first 50 games. The previous record was held by the great Ray Clemence in 1970–71, when he conceded 32 goals. Pepe Reina was awarded the Premier League's Golden Glove award for keeping 20 clean sheets in the 2005–06 season. The 2006-07 season saw Reina make a few goalkeeping errors. Most noteable was agaisnt city rivals Everton when Liverpool lost 3-0. However the Spaniard was still loved by fans and was voted man of the match after the Champions League semi final agaisnt Chelsea. Reina was a hero in both legs. He once again showed his skills at saving penalties as Liverpool beat Chelsea 4-1 on pens, to progess to the Champions League final in 2007. Reina followed in his fathers footsteps and appeared in the Champions League final in Athens. The records kepts on coming for Reina. After keeping 19 cleansheets during the 2006-07 season he was awarded the Premier League's Golden Glove Award for the second successive year. In February 2008 Reina became the quickest goalkeeper in Liverpool history to keep 50 clean sheets. He hit the milestone during a 3–0 win against Sunderland on his 92nd league game for the Merseysiders. That season Reina won his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove Award. He kept 18 cleansheets that year. Reina's latest record came on the 22 March 2009, when he became the quickest goalkeeper in Liverpool history to keep 100 clean sheets in all competitions. He hit that milestone during a 5-0 win against Aston Villa on his 197th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions. Pepe Reina has been described by many as the best keeper in the Premier League. The records speak for themselves. Reina is not jsut a great shot stopper his distribution is second to none. His abilty to release the ball from defence into attack quickly has put Liverpool in great counter attacking situations many times. A consistant performer and a model professional means Pepe Reina is the 18th player on the list of best Liverpool players to play in the Premier League.
This video shows Pepe Reina during 2009. It shows his goalkeeping skills and his quick thinking to move the ball from end of the field to another.
Rob Jones Factfile Position - Defender DOB - 5/11/1971 Place of Birth - Wrexham, Wales International Caps - 8 (England) Debut - Manchester United (6 October 1991) Games for Liverpool - 243 (185 League Games) Goals - 0 Achievements - FA Cup, League Cup
Next on the list of top Premier League players to wear the red of Liverpool Fc is Rob Jones. Jones signed for Merseyside club from Crewe Alexandra in 1991 after impressing the then Liverpool manager Graeme Souness. Jones made his debut only 48 hours after he signed for liverpool against the clubs biggest rivals Manchester United. It was a debut to remember for Rob Jones as the he lined up agaisnt a promising young winger by the name of Ryan Giggs. Jones marked him out the game that finished 0-0. Jones was a red since childhood as his grandfather, Bill Jones played 277 games from 1946-1954 for Liverpool. By the end of his first season Rob Jones had his first international cap for England and an FA Cup winners medal. He looked set to be the number one choice for England at left back in the 1992 Euro's however the first of many injuries that riddled Bob Jones's career hit him and forced him to miss the competition. Jones underwent surgery on the shin splints and missed the first 6 weeks of the following season. When he was fit again he recaptured his starting place in no time. He continued to blossom at Anfield and was a part of the side that triumphed in the League Cup in 1995 when Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1. He continued to be switched from either wing back position by manager Roy Evans as a young Jason McAteer was making his presence felt in the team. Jones played at Wembley in 1996 and wore one of the famous cream and red suits that Liverpool players adopted before the game. Unfortunately a late goal from Eric Cantona cost Liverpool cup. The game finished 1-0 to Man United. During this period of the 90's Jones established himself as one of the best full-backs in the country, alongside Man United's Gary Neville with whom he was in direct competition with for the full-back position with at international level for England. Recently after the 1996 FA Cup final things took a turn for the worse for Jones. Doctors advised him to take a break from the game for at least 6 months or a back injury could force him to live the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Jones returned at the end of the 1996-97 season and was in and out of the squad in 1997/98 campaign until February when he finally seemed to have recaptured his place. However this was only short lived. A knee injury ment Jones went under the knife three times as doctors tried to fix the problem, but it was too late. Liverpool where going in a new direction. The club had new manager Gerard Houllier at the helm and a new decade on the horizon. Jones's Liverpool career was over. He joined West Ham United in 1999 but it was clear the former Liverpool and England international was coming to the end of his footballing career. Ultimately Jones's knee ended his career. It caused him more problems and he was forced to retire at 27 years old.
Why i put Rob Jones in The first season i remember and still think of quite fondly was the 1995-1996 season. The year we beat Newcastle 4-3 and lost the FA Cup final to Man Utd. I always remember Jones and what he did that year. As i mentioned before i played everywhere you can on a football pitch. I started in goal then moved to right back. It was at this time I fell in love with Rob Jones. Most of the kids in school adored Robbie Fowler and Ste McManaman but not me i loved seeing Jones busting his gut to get down the wing and play a neat one - two with another player. He did the simple things well and that puts you in good stead to be a footballer. Most people loved seeing flowing attacking attractive football and don't get me wrong i love all those things too but i also love seeing a full back make a crunching tackle then burst down the wing laying the ball off to the 'flare' type players. Jones did this all day long. I remember being devastated when he was injured. Thinking the side wouldn't function as well. If Jones was fit Liverpool would of won the league. Many think the art of tackling has been lost. Well it wasn't lost in Rob Jones he was awesome at tackling and getting forward. The only thing he lacked was goals. He never scored. It was quite amusing at times. He was always in good positions to score but it was like the football gods had cursed him with bad knees and an inability to put the ball in the net. Rob Jones makes it into the list of top 20 Premier League players because when he was fully fit he could do everything a fan or manager wanted. He had a great engine, a solid tackle, the ability to play on either flank and the knowledge to keep the best wingers of his generation quite. Jones was a part of that Liverpool side that had some memorable moments in the 90's despite never winning the league.
This clip shows Rob Jones and Liverpool at there best in the 90's.
Finnan Factfile Position - Defender DOB - 24/4/1976 Nationality - Irish Debut - Chelsea (17 August 2003) Games for Liverpool - 217 (145 League Games) Goals - 1 Achievements - Uefa Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, FA Cup, Fa Community Shield
Steve Finnan is the first name on the count down of the best Liverpool players to have played in the Premier League. The Irish man made his debut for the reds in 2003 against Chelsea. However injuries held Finnan back in his first year with Liverpool. It wasn't until the 2004 - 05 season when Liverpool fans really saw the talents of the Irish man. He scored his only goal for the club in a 3-0 win over West Brom and was first choice right back for the whole season. He played his part in a team that made it to the FA League Cup final and Uefa Champions League final and gave every Liverpool fan a night to remember in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. Finnan continued to be Liverpools first choice right back in the 2005 - 06 season. He helped Liverpool reach their highest points total in the Premier League (82). The solid full back also won the FA Cup that year with the reds in a dramatic penalty shoot out against West Ham United. Finnan was ever present in the next season despite the signing of Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa. Liverpool and Finnan again reached the 2007 Uefa Champions League final. History looked to repeat itself as Liverpool's opponents that night where AC Milan. The same side the reds had beaten back in 2005. However the football gods favoured the Italians that night and Liverpool lost the game 2-1. Finnan played 88 minutes before being subbed off. The 2007 -08 season was another positive one for Liverpool, however there where highs and lows for Steve Finnan. That year Finnan took his total appearances in a red shirt past the 200 mark, but manager Rafael Benitez began to favour the Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa at right back. In the summer of 2007 another right back Philip Degan arrived at Anfield. The end of Steve Finnan's Liverpool career was in sight. The man who had played 217 games for Liverpool and was in the top 100 capped players to ever play for the club was surplus to requirements. Finnan was offered to Aston Villa as part of a deal for Gareth Barry, however the two clubs couldn't decide a fee. On September 1 2008 Steve Finnan signed for Espanyol for an undisclosed fee.
Why I put Steve Finnan in. My playing career lasted 10 years. It started when i was seven and ended when i was 17. I played everywhere but finished by days as a full back, so i feel its a position i know well. As full backs go Steve Finnan has it all. Hes a solid, honest, dependable players and a module professional. That why i like him so much, he was an old style footballer you didn't here about him going on benders or beating anyone up. He was a footballer that loves the game and deserved his chance to wear the famous red shirt. He could get forward on put a quality ball into the box. He was capable of playing on either side of the pitch and could always make a world class winger look nothing more than a sunday league amateur. I honestly think you could put him in any generations Liverpool team. He could do it all. Defenders that you don't here about are often the best. They do their jon and they do it well. That's exactly what Finnan did. I still think we sold him to early he had a few more seasons left in his legs. I know he could of done a solid job for Liverpool.
This clip demonstrates the work rate and class and Steve Finnan. He was one of Liverpool's unsung heroes who worked non stop and that is why he makes it at number 20 in the Kop Heroes Top 20 Players to play for Liverpool in the Premier League.
Born and bred a Liverpool fan! My names Jonathan Gibson im 20 years old and i was born a Liverpool fan. My earliest memories of life are Liverpool FC memories. I was brought up through the barren days of the Roy Evans era. Part of the next generation of Liverpool fans. This is my blog a tribute to the team i adore. I relive memories on each and every player, and wanted to share them. I see them more like brothers than footballers.
Feel free to comment and disagree with my choices maybe you have your own top 20? I'd love to hear it!
