Liverpool are about as good a Premier League side as you’ll get and, in the past, it’s safe to say they’ve had some pretty decent players in their ranks.
Whilst their modern-day success might not be as good as teams from the past, there is plenty of optimism that Jurgen Klopp can turn the club into one of England’s best once again.
The Reds fans in the pub are feeling pretty optimistic about their chances of doing well and who can blame them, they’ve been strong so far this season!
And with the international break now upon us, we want to go into the vault and have a look at some of the best players that have graced the turf at Anfield over the past decade.
Who is up there in terms of the best?
With that in mind, here’s our pick of the greatest Liverpool XI from the past ten years – do you agree?
GK: Pepe Reina
Liverpool have been little lacking in quality goalkeepers in recent years but Pepe Reina completely put that to bed when he signed for the club in 2005.
Arriving from Villarreal for just £6million, he was so solid between the sticks during his Anfield tenure and it’s an easy pick to start this side off.
RB: Steve Finnan
A real Liverpool veteran, there wasn’t a single Reds fan that didn’t like Steve Finnan.
He played just shy of 150 games for the Merseyside giants’ first-team between 2003 and 2008 and was always solid when called upon on the right.
A truly solid player and a real fan favourite.
CB: Jamie Carragher
Much has been made of Liverpool’s questionable defending this season but there was no one better than Jamie Carragher, who is the definition of a modern-day Anfield hero.
He wore his heart on his sleeve and every time he stepped on the pitch, he gave his all.
He might not have been the best in the world but he was Liverpool through-and-through.
CB: Sami Hypia
Again, not the most stylish of defenders but when it came to getting the job done, Sami Hypia was as good as Jamie Carragher.
He played for ten years between 1999 and 2009 and made close to 500 times for the Reds first-team.
Was part of the 2005 Champions League winning side and that will probably go down as his greatest sporting achievement.
LB: John Arne Riise
Probably one of the most popular Liverpool players to have ever put on the jersey, John Arne Riise was as likeable as he was good on the pitch.
He featured over 250 times for the Reds and was known for his rocket of a left foot that helped him to 21 goals during his time at the club.
CM: Steven Gerrard
I dare you to ask any football fan in the world if he doesn’t know who Steven Gerrard is because, in England, he’s arguably one of the most famous faces to have ever played here.
He stayed loyal to the Reds for the whole of his career and I don’t need to tell you how much he was adored on the terraces.
He was the heartbeat of the club for a long time and would still be welcomed back with open arms.
CM: Xabi Alonso
Spanish centre-midfielder Xabi Alonso oozed class every time he played for the Reds and he became a really popular figure during his five years at the club.
Now doing bits for Bayern Munich, he remains as good now as he did back then. One of the best centre midfielders to play for the club throughout history, let alone the past ten years.
One of the best centre midfielders to play for the club throughout history, let alone the past ten years.
CM: Javier Mascherano
Argentinian international Javier Mascherano was an unassuming player who was so effective, sometimes you didn’t even realise he was on the pitch.
Dynamic, strong and committed, he now plays as a centre-back for Barcelona but few will forget his time with Liverpool.
RW: Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres has got to go into this XI hasn’t he?
Unfortunately, we’ve had to put him on the wing but his form during his time at the club was absolutely unreal.
65 goals in four years is seriously impressive stuff and it was a shame he couldn’t recapture that form for Chelsea.
Now back at Atletico Madrid, he might have wished he stayed at Anfield longer.
ST: Luis Suarez
There is little to say about Luis Suarez apart from the fact he was so good for Liverpool for a number of years.
Some have branded him as the most talented player to ever feature for the club and despite the controversies, he scored 54 goals in 66 league outings. That is a record that won’t be better by many at all. Ever.
LW: Daniel Sturridge
Forced into a wider role to accommodate his former teammate, the 27-year-old could barely be left out.
On his day he’s unplayable but unfortunately, we all know the difficulties he’s had with injuries throughout his career, not just at Liverpool, but everywhere he’s been.
If he can stay fit and back-to-form he could really carry this side going forward.
