10 best defenders in Liverpool history

Binodh RoyPublished: 08 Aug 2024 12:29 PM

Liverpool’s rich history has attracted a host of fine defenders but who has been the best -ever? The club has been in a position of luxury giving way each to generation who share the same defensive DNA. From the early days till date there have been only a few world-class standouts, so let’s go back in time to re-visit the club’s great past and rank Liverpool’s 10 greatest defenders of all time.

10. Alex Raisbeck

Alex Raisbeck is a genius from the 19th century, having 341 appearances for the Reds in two different centuries.

The Scot had won the First Division title in 1900/01 and 1905/06, not to mention one Second Division crown in 1904/05, and has remained an influential heartbeat for the team.

In such a fast-paced recall value has dropped massively and Raisbeck was surely one of the victims

9. Mark Lawrenson

With time Mark Lawrenson has become increasingly underrated, possibly due to his venture into the world of pundits.

A truly world-class centre-back during his peak, he was a fulcrum in Liverpool’s greatest-ever defensive partnership with Alan Hansen.

Rough, Pacey but also elegant on the ball, Lawrenson was a team pillar throughout most of the 1980s, lifting the league title five times and winning the European Cup in 1984.

Such a talent would be worth a fortune in the modern game.

8. Phil Thompson

There is always space for a rare and proud Scouser to play for Liverpool and Phil Thompson found his way.

The former centre-back may not have the essence of talent needed, but was a rock for a long time, having 477 appearances.

Liverpool played 147 games including the 1981 European Cup triumph under Thompson’s captaincy which bettered by only 10 players.

7. Jamie Carragher

Starting as a midfielder and moving to full-back, Carragher overcame early criticism – he is remembered for the two own goals against Manchester United which slowed the process of becoming a near-world-class performer over several years.

His Champions League efforts in Istanbul will forever go down in the books. Jamie Carragher (737) is second only to Ian Callaghan (857) in appearances for the club.

Also Read: Listing the 10 most expensive striker transfers of all-time

6. Sami Hyypia

There is always a best-ever bargain buy and Liverpool surely has one with Hyypia’s name jumping out.

In 1999 the huge Finn was acquired from little-known Willem II for just £2.5 million – a decade later, he got his place as one of the all-time great Reds centre-back.

Hyypia only lacked in pace but elegance, aerial ability, and an outstanding reading of the game stood out overshadowing the latter.

His influence was tremendous in the treble-winning 2000/01 campaign also making 58 appearances in total.

5. Emlyn Hughes

A brilliant all-around footballer capable of thriving in both full-back and midfield, but is the perfect fit as a centre-back. There will always be a special place for ‘Crazy Horse’, who sadly passed away at the age of 57 back in 2004. Moreover, only Steven Gerrard (472) and Ron Yeats (416) have captained Liverpool more times than Hughes (335).

4. Tommy Smith

Any opposition would fear when Tommy Smith was near, such was the reputation he built as the toughest player of his generation. For Liverpool Smith was a loyal servant for over 15 years, thriving under both Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, claiming four league titles, two FA Cups and UEFA Cups apiece, and one European Cup.

In the 1977 European Cup final against Borussia Monchengladbach his headed goals remains arguably one of the most popular Reds goals ever.

3. Ron Yeats

While the 1960s Anfield era was dominated by Roger Hunt and Ian St John’s, Yeats rose to the occasion and made his name known.

The gigantic defender during Shankly’s best years at Liverpool, captaining them to First Division title wins in both 1963/64 and 1965/66.

Moreover, Yeats also captained the Reds in the first FA Cup final victory in 1965, which was a proud achievement.

Shankly best described the defender’s arrival as a “turning point” in his tenure, which is a noteworthy praise

“Take a walk around my centre-half, gentlemen. He’s a colossus.”

Also Read: Top 10 most expensive Liverpool transfers

2. Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is the man of the current era and enough words have already been spoken about the gigantic Dutch.

A similar Yeats-like turning point happened with the Dutchman’s arrival in January 2018 who was a different animal in the Liverpool team.

He is considered the complete centre-back of the last 30 years with a mix of pace, power, aerial dominance, leadership, ball-playing ability, and reading of the game under the influential guidance of Klopp.

Becoming Liverpool’s greatest central defender is still in the cards, If he can perform at the highest level for another three or four years, winning trophies along the way,

1. Alan Hansen

Liverpool’s best centre-back in history has to be Alan Hansen as Scot’s trophy tally during 13 years on Merseyside was colourful, with eight league titles and three European Cups.

Hansen was a classy player who stood out from the rest because of his excellence both on and off the ball, with some dirty work when needed.

The Scot’s talents are many representing his country in golf, volleyball, and squash, but thankfully, he chose football as a career!

A Hansen and Van Dijk pairing would be mouthwatering to watch in the current age.