Notable Players

In the period before the Second World War several players played for Liverpool for lengthy periods of time, earning themselves great admiration. Among these were Ephraim Longworth, a solid full-back who became Liverpool's first England captain in 1921,[12] and Elisha Scott, who played in goal for Liverpool for 22 years, making him the longest serving Liverpool player ever.[31] In front of goal, of particular note is Gordon Hodgson, who scored a record 17 hat tricks playing for the club in the 20s and 30s.[31]

In the 1960s, as Bill Shankly transformed the club into a European power, among the players who established themselves as key elements of Liverpool's success were Ron Yeats, who Shankly famously described as his "colossus",[32] and Roger Hunt, who scored 245 league goals (still a club record) as well as being part of England's World Cup winning team in 1966.[33]

Paisley's additions to the squad were an important factor in Liverpool's success during the 70s and 80s. Two Scottish signings of 1977 had a particular impact: Alan Hansen, who was a part of 3 European Cup winning teams[34], and Kenny Dalglish, known to fans as 'King Kenny',[19] would excel as a Liverpool player before becoming Liverpool's first Double-winning manager. In 1980 Paisley signed 19 year old Ian Rush, who progressed to become the club's leading goalscorer.[31]

More recently famous players have emerged from Liverpool's youth set up. In the early 1990s Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler emerged to play as winger and striker for the club, while later in the decade Michael Owen, current captain Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Jamie Carragher came through the highly commended Liverpool Academy