There’s some brilliant, and some slightly less brilliant footballers making up this XI, Reds.
All of them have played first-team football for Liverpool, and all come from South America.
GK) Diego Cavalieri
Two years at Anfield for the Brazilian international, who cost £3m in 2008. Zero Premier League appearances, sadly! This was because of Pepe Reina between the sticks. We also signed Brazilian stopper Doni, who played four times between 2011 and 2013.
DR) Emiliano Insua
Naturally a left-back, Insua played for Liverpool between 2007 and 2011, and won his first international cap for Argentina at the time. He’s actually still only 26-years-old, and is spending the season on loan from Atletico Madrid at La Liga rival Rayo Vallecano. Best remembered for a brilliant goal versus Arsenal in the League Cup.
DL) Fabio Aurelio
The best South American defender we’ve ever had – Aurelio would be even more highly regarded had injuries not decimated his Liverpool stint. Played a key role in our title charge in 2008/09, scoring a wonderful freekick in the Old Trafford demolition of Manchester United.
DC) Sebastian Coates
Still a Liverpool player, but the giant Uruguayan won’t be for much longer. Coates’s contract is up this summer, and his uninspiring loan spell at relegation threatened Sunderland proves he won’t make the grade at Anfield. We’ll still think fondly of his QPR wondergoal, of course.
DC) Mauricio Pellegrino
Remember this guy? Having been frozen out at Valencia, Benitez decided to offer the ageing Argentine a six-month contract in 2005. His lack of pace was simply too dangerous in the Premier League though, and he made just the 12 appearances before heading back to Spain.
MC) Lucas
The longest serving South American we’ve had, Lucas has been with us since 2007, and has made 271 appearances in total, scoring six goals . He started off badly, but is now a firm fans’ favourite, and we’d be sad to see him leave this summer.
MC) Javier Mascherano
How we could do with Mascherano’s bite, venom and tenacity at the base of midfield now. The little Argentine was a key component of the ‘best midfield in the world,’ which featured Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and himself – with Momo Sissoko and Lucas providing backup from the bench!
AMC) Coutinho
The one man in the side who could one day rival Luis Suarez as our greatest ever South American, Coutinho is fresh off the back of a Premier League Player of the Year nomination – and his talent knows no ceiling.
AMR) Maxi Rodriguez
Why didn’t we keep this loveable Argentine attacker for longer? Having signed for a free in 2010, Rodriguez lasted for two and a half seasons, in which he scored 17 goals in total.
AML) Mark Gonzalez
It took us a year of waiting for Gonzalez to be granted a work-permit, before the rapid Chilean was allowed to join from Albacete – but it sadly wasn’t really worth it. He lasted one season under Rafa Benitez, before being shipped back to Spain.
FC) Luis Suarez
No introduction needed. By far and away the best South American to play for Liverpool, this Uruguayan is not very far off being the best player in the world right now. He’s tearing it up with Barcelona just like he did with us last season. Maybe we’ll see him back at Anfield one day. Maybe!
