Top 10 Liverpool Legends Who Changed Football Forever

Football is unique in the world of sports for a number of reasons, but arguably the biggest one of all has to do with the number of big and popular clubs. With the reasons behind a fan’s allegiance to a professional organization in sports being many, one can freely choose who to root for. It does not have to be a local club or even one from their country. It can be literally any that one identifies with. Some get hooked while young, others have a favorite player who joins a club, and some are taught to like and support a team by their parents and grandparents. Whatever the case may be, the biggest teams in football are those in Europe, the continent where the sport originated and where the most competitive, expensive, and exciting leagues take place. 

Still, despite there being the so called big five leagues, i.e., the English Premier League, the Spanish Primera, the Italian Serie A, the French Ligue 1, and the German Bundesliga, one is usually thought of as the first and best among equals. EPL is thought of as the gold standard for its competitiveness, hard fought duels, difficulty of winning titles, and remaining successful for a longer stretch. Therefore, clubs from England are some of the most recognizable and popular all over the football world. Outside of the Isles and Europe, they have massive followings, and Liverpool is among the leaders. Loved for their continuous success in every decade and era, they are even more popular for their club legends. Liverpool players have defined generations and introduced many a young fan to the game. In this retrospective overview, we talk about the top 10 Liverpool legends who changed football forever. 

A Club Full of Legends

As the 2025/2026 season continues rolling, fans and bettors are glued to their screens, with the luckiest among the fandoms making their way to the stadiums. With matchday 4 coming up next week after this week’s international break and World Cup betting in full effect, it will soon be time to get back to professional duty and representing clubs in domestic leagues. Liverpool will play away at Burnley and look to keep their number one spot on the table. So far, they have won their first 3 games, scoring 8 and allowing 4 goals. They are sitting comfortably with 9 points ahead of Chelsea, with 7, and Arsenal with 6. 

Many fans know about their current stars, players who have brought English and European glory back to Anfield. With names like Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dyke leading this generation, they have done wonders and brought trophies. However, the club has a storied past with a whole slew of legends and top tier talent that have changed how football in England and the world is being viewed and analyzed. Multiple generations remained competitive as players came and went. While it is often difficult to pick the best of the best, the following paragraphs will deal with the top 10 Liverpool legends who did the most for the club. 

10. Billy Liddell

Billy Liddell stands as one of the earliest and most enduring symbols of Liverpool Football Club. He joined the club in 1938 and played until 1961, featuring in over 500 games and scoring 228 goals. He was a versatile forward who could operate as a winger or striker, and was the club’s talisman during challenging years during the post war seasons and years outside the top flight. He helped Liverpool secure the First Division title in 1947 and was so pivotal to the team that the club was often nicknamed “Liddellpool” during his era. Liddell’s commitment, sportsmanship, and longevity earned him an almost mythical status, and he remains one of Liverpool’s most beloved one club men. To this day, fans at Anfield praise his name and consider him the earliest legend of the storied club. 

9. Robbie Fowler

Robbie Fowler, affectionately known by fans as “God,” broke into the Liverpool first team in 1993 and became one of the most lethal strikers in Premier League history. In his two spells at the club (first 1993-2001 and then 2006-2007), he scored 183 goals in 369 appearances. Fowler was known for his clinical finishing, quick reactions, and footballing intelligence. His honors include an FA Cup, two League Cups, a UEFA Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup, most of which came during the memorable 2000-01 treble winning season. Fowler’s connection with the fans and his knack for scoring in high pressure situations cement his place among Liverpool’s greats and bring about fond memories.

8. John Barnes

John Barnes joined Liverpool in 1987 and revolutionized the club’s left wing with his pace, flair, and technique. Over his ten year spell with the club, Barnes scored 106 goals in his 403 appearances across all competitions. He was pivotal in Liverpool’s league title wins in 1988 and 1990 and also lifted two FA Cups and a League Cup. More than just a footballer, Barnes broke racial barriers in English football and became a cultural icon. His ability to glide past defenders and create chances made him one of the most feared wingers of his generation. Barnes was a game changer in every sense, technically, tactically, and socially.

7. Alan Hansen

Alan Hansen was a central figure in Liverpool’s defensive dominance from 1977 to 1991. The Scotsman played 620 games for the club and scored 14 goals as a defender. He was widely recognized and praised for his composure, intelligence, and ball playing ability as a centre back. Hansen helped revolutionize defensive play in England as a whole, not just his club. Over his career, he won eight First Division titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups, and four League Cups. This trophy tally makes him the most successful Liverpool player with 25. Hansen’s calmness under pressure and leadership at the back helped define Liverpool’s golden era. As an example of consistency and elegance, he remains a benchmark for defenders across generations who look back for inspiration and role models.

6. Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher, a true Scouser and one club man, served Liverpool with passion and grit from 1996 to 2013. Amassing 737 appearances in the process, second only to Ian Callaghan, Carragher was the embodiment of loyalty and commitment. He played across the backline but was most effective at center back, forming a formidable partnership with Sami Hyypiä and later Daniel Agger. Though he won fewer league titles due to the club’s transitional period, Carragher’s legacy includes the unforgettable 2005 Champions League victory, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and a UEFA Cup. His leadership, tireless defending, and deep understanding of Liverpool’s culture have made him a club legend in every sense, one of the biggest and proudest players to call Anfield home. 

5. Ian Rush

Ian Rush is Liverpool’s all time leading goalscorer, netting 346 goals in 660 appearances across two spells (1980-1986 and 1988-1996). He is also the highest goalscorer in the history of the EFL Cup and the FA Cup finals. A ruthless striker with incredible positioning and finishing ability, Rush was often unguardable, especially in major finals. His partnership with Kenny Dalglish became one of the most iconic in football history. Rush helped Liverpool to five First Division titles, three FA Cups, and two European trophies. He was especially known for scoring against Everton, becoming the top scorer in Merseyside derby history. His goal scoring prowess and big game mentality ensure his name remains etched in Liverpool folklore. The number of goals and records he held stretched into international play. He held the record for most goals scored for Wales with 28 from 1980 to 2018, when Gareth Bale broke it. 

4. Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness was the engine room of Liverpool’s midfield between 1978 and 1984. As a central midfielder, Souness had the technical ability to pair with his natural, unmatched tenacity and will to win. During his time at the club, he won five league titles, three European Cups, and three League Cups. Souness captained the team during a highly successful period, and his dominance in midfield allowed Liverpool to dictate games across England and Europe. Though later remembered for his controversial managerial stint, his playing days were nothing short of legendary. His leadership, aggression, and elegance made him one of the finest midfielders in Liverpool’s history, an inspiration for the current generation that looks to the past for greatness. 

3. Steven Gerrard

What else can be said about Stevie G? Steven Gerrard is widely regarded as Liverpool’s greatest modern era player, one who helped make Liverpool a globally popular and recognizable club. Making his debut in 1998, Gerrard played 710 matches, scored 186 goals, and made 170 assists (club record) before departing in 2015. As captain for much of his career, a midfield savant, he carried the club through some of its most challenging transitional years. His most iconic moment came in the 2005 Champions League final, where his goal and leadership sparked the miracle second half comeback in Istanbul against AC Milan. Gerrard also led Liverpool to UEFA Cup glory in 2001, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup. As a complete midfielder capable of defending, creating, and scoring, he was the heart and soul of Liverpool for nearly two decades and a type of player every other big club wanted to have. Sadly, he was never able to win the Premier League. Speaking of PL, Liverpool leads the Stake odds for yet another domestic title this year. 

2. Kenny Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish is arguably the most influential figure in Liverpool’s history due to his dual role as a player and manager. Signing from Celtic in 1977, Dalglish quickly established himself as a world class forward, scoring 118 league goals in 355 appearances. As a player, he won six First Division titles, three European Cups, and numerous domestic cups. His vision, touch, and goal scoring made him indispensable for his squad. In 1985, he became player manager and led Liverpool to a league and FA Cup double in 1986. Beyond the trophies, Dalglish’s compassion during the Hillsborough tragedy and unwavering loyalty to the club and its fans elevated his status to near sainthood. Known as “King Kenny,” he is Liverpool royalty in every sense of the word and symbolizes what it means to wear the red shirt.

1. Mohamed Salah

We had to finish with a current era star and a living legend. The Pharaoh, Mohamed Salah, is Liverpool’s current and most impactful modern day superstar. Since arriving from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has rewritten the club’s record books. As of 2025, he has scored 246 goals and provided more than 110 assists in fewer than 405 appearances overall. The 33 year old Egyptian became Liverpool’s all time Premier League top scorer and one of the fastest players to reach major goal milestones in club history. His honors include two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one FA Cup, one League Cup, and one Community Shield. This means he has won everything that a player can with an English club. Salah’s speed, dribbling, and clinical finishing have made him a nightmare for defenders and a hero for fans worldwide. Off the pitch, he has also been a unifying figure, proudly representing Arab and Muslim culture on a global stage. He is always professional and humble. His consistent excellence ensures that his name will forever be synonymous with Liverpool greatness.