Top 10 Liverpool FC legends every fan should know
Liverpool have had many legendary players throughout their decorated history.
The Anfield side can boast the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson as modern-day icons, but there have been plenty that went before them.
The Reds have won 20 league titles, six European Cups and a host of other trophies since they were formed in 1892.
Here, Liverpool News looks at 10 legends that all Reds supporters should know.
Ephraim Longworth – Defender (1910-1928)
Appearances: 370
Goals: 0
Ephraim Longworth was one of the most consistent defenders in Liverpool‘s history and was denied the chance to make over 500 appearances by World War One, which took place from 1914 to 1918.
He was a key part of the Reds’ First Division title successes in 1922 and 1923 and was the Merseysiders’ first player to captain the England national team.
He captained the Merseysiders for 18 seasons but never scored a single goal.
Elisha Scott – Goalkeeeper (1912-1915, 1919-1934)
Appearances: 468
Clean Sheets: 137
Elisha Scott signed for Liverpool at the age of 17 and went on to make 468 appearances for the Reds in a 22-year association with the Merseysiders.
Had it not been for World War One, he would have probably breached the 500-game mark and won more than two titles.
He is widely regarded as one of the best keepers to ever play for the historic club, and in 1939, a poll of Liverpool fans concluded that he was the best player to ever don the shirt.
Billy Liddell – Winger (1938–1961)
Appearances: 534
Goals: 228
Billy Liddell only won one league title for the Reds, with the 1946-47 championship being his crowning moment.
However, his impact goes beyond trophies, and he still ranks fifth on the all-time top goalscorers list as a result of the 228 times that he scored.
His loyalty, despite interest from other teams, and exploits in front of the goal led the club to be referred to as ‘Liddellpool’ during his era.
Roger Hunt – Striker (1958-1969)
Appearances: 492
Goals: 285
Roger Hunt joined Liverpool in 1958 and played a part in one of the most pivotal spells of the Anfield outfit’s history.
The striker was a key part of Bill Shankly’s team that won the Second Division in 1962, the First Division in 1964 and 1966, and the FA Cup in 1965.
He was the club’s record goalscorer at one point with 285 goals, but was later surpassed by another legend in Ian Rush.
Ian St. John – Striker (1961–1971)
Appearances: 425
Goals: 118
Ian St. John was signed from Motherwell in 1961 and was another key figure during Shankly’s revolution on Merseyside.
His partnership with Hunt was one of the best at the time, and they won the Second Division in 1962, the First Division in 1964 and 1966.
“Saint” as he was known, helped Liverpool to their first FA Cup trophy, scoring the winning goal in the 1965 final against Leeds United.
Emlyn Hughes – Defender/Midfielder (1967–1979)
Appearances: 665
Goals: 49
Emlyn Hughes, also known as “Crazy Horse”, was one of the Reds’ best ever players, and his impact often goes under the radar.
He joined the Merseysiders in 1969 and had to wait for his first honours, with the UEFA Cup and league title successes coming in 1973.
The versatile defender and midfielder was appointed as captain by Shankly in the 1973/74 season and guided the club to three league titles, an FA Cup, two European Cups, a UEFA Cup and a European Super Cup.
Kenny Dalglish – Striker (1977-1990)
Appearances: 515
Goals: 172
Kenny Dalglish was signed for a record fee of £440,000 in 1977 after Kevin Keegan departed, and the rest is history, as they say.
He played a crucial part in the hugely successful Bob Paisley era, winning six league titles, three European Cups and six other trophies.
He won another six trophies as a manager, including three league crowns and was in charge when the Hillsborough disaster happened in 1989, playing a key role supporting the families of the 97.
Ian Rush – Striker (1980-87/1988-1996)
Appearances: 660
Goals: 346
Ian Rush is Liverpool’s all-time leading goalscorer with 346 goals in 660 matches for the Reds.
He failed to score in nine games in his first season but soon found his shooting boots as he notched 30 strikes as the Anfield club won the league title and League Cup.
His personal best campaign was the 1983/84 season when he scored 47 goals and helped the Merseysiders to a league, European Cup and League Cup treble.
He would leave supporters heartbroken when he left for Juventus in 1987, but he would return just a year later and continued his goalscoring and trophy-winning form.
Jamie Carragher – Defender (1997-2013)
Appearances: 737
Goals: 20
Another local lad who achieved their dreams and more, Carragher actually supported Everton when he was growing up.
However, he became a key player at Liverpool, winning nine trophies with the Reds, including the 2005 Champions League final.
He was widely regarded as one of the best English defenders of his generation, but did not get the recognition that he deserved.
Steven Gerrard – Midfielder (1998-2015)
Appearances: 710
Goals: 186
The greatest ever product of Liverpool’s academy, Steven Gerrard, stayed loyal to the Reds despite interest from the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
His ascent to the first team was rapid after his debut in 1998, and he was already an integral part of the team in 2001 when Gerard Houllier’s side won a treble.
He is most well-known for the historic comeback in the 2005 Champions League final when he inspired the Merseysiders to victory after they were 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan.
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