Did you know… at least one representative from 22 different countries has played in excess of 100 games for Liverpool. No? Well now you do! From Argentina to Zimbabwe, the Reds have had the weird and the wonderful.
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In the list below we count down those 22 nations as we pick our best ever representative from that country – which, as you can imagine, proved more of a challenge in some places than it did others!
Are you ready to go around the world with Liverpool? Let’s go…
Argentina – Javier Mascherano
The only Argentine to make the list, with Maxi Rodriguez (73 games) the only other player close to being eligible. Mascherano played 139 times for us, playing in a Champions League final and finishing second in the league.
Australia – Harry Kewell
Brad Jones is the only other Australian to play more than 25 times for Liverpool. Kewell endured an injury-plagued spell at Anfield but still managed to play 139 times in five years, starting the Champions League final.
Brazil – Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho edges out teammate Lucas Leiva to be our Brazilian representative, underlining the impact he’s made in little more than two years at Anfield. He’s played exactly 100 times, scoring 16 goals in all competitions.
Croatia – Igor Biscan
Dejan Lovren is only a third of the way to 100 games, so Biscan takes our spot for Croatia. The midfielder actually played 118 times for Liverpool and was an unused substitute in Istanbul back in 2005.
Czech Republic – Milan Baros
There was stiff competition for our Czech spot, with Baros nudging out Vladimir Smicer and Patrik Berger – both equally viable candidates. Baros scored 27 times in 108 games for Liverpool before joining Aston Villa in 2005.
Denmark – Daniel Agger
Agger and Jan Molby are the two clear candidates for Denmark. We’ve gone for the former, who was always 100% committed to the cause, as his tattoos will testify. Only injuries prevented him from having a bigger impact.
England – Steven Gerrard
Our outgoing captain is arguably our greatest ever player and subsequently gets to represent England here. There’s obviously a mountain of competition but it’s hard to argue with his 700 plus appearances and almost 200 goals.
Finland – Sami Hyypia
A fond favourite at Anfield, Hyypia played over 300 Premier League games between 1999 and 2009, leaving the pitch in tears following his final appearance. He joined Bayer Leverkusen before retiring a couple of years later.
Ireland – Steve Heighway
It’s actually been strangely long since we’ve had a great Irish player. Mark Lawrenson, John Aldridge and Ray Houghton were among the other candidates here. We’ve gone with the midfielder, who played almost 500 times.
Israel – Yossi Benayoun
Proved himself to be an extremely astute signing, playing 134 times in all competitions and scoring 29 goals after joining us from West Ham United in 2007. He’d go on to play for both Arsenal and Chelsea as well.
Mali – Djimi Traore
Something of a cult figure at Liverpool, having helped us win the Champions League in 2005. It’s probably fair to say that he wasn’t the best player we’ve ever had but at the same time he retains a special place in our hearts.
Netherlands – Dirk Kuyt
Another all-time favourite at Anfield. Kuyt’s work-rate made up for his lack of goals, although to be fair he got plenty of those during his time with us – 71 in fact during his 285 games. He’s well ahead of Ryan Babel anyway!
Norway – John Arne Riise
The flame-haired full-back is still fondly remembered for his scorching free-kicks. There was nothing better than seeing a Riise piledriver fly into the net from long range. He scored his fair share of screamers during 348 games.
Poland – Jerzy Dudek
He made a number of howlers during his time. However, he’ll always be remembered for just one thing – the Champions League final – and those penalty saves from Pirlo and Shevchenko that won us the famous trophy.
Scotland – Kenny Dalglish
There’s few better than King Kenny from any part of the world. We’ve had some great players from across the border down the years but there are none better than the man who, even now, is still giving to the club he loves.
Slovakia – Martin Skrtel
Unsurprisingly, there’s little in the way of competition from Skrtel’s compatriots. Nonetheless, the centre-half has been a great servant to the Reds and has now become one of our most important players. A modern-day favourite.
South Africa – Barry Nieuwenhuys
You have to go back to before the Second World War to remember this South African star. He played 239 league games for the Reds, scoring 74 times. He died in 1984 at the age of 72, almost 40 years after his final appearance.
Spain – Xabi Alonso
One of our best players in the modern era. His midfield partnership with Gerrard is one that will always be fondly remembered. He scored the equaliser in Istanbul and made 210 appearances before joining Real Madrid in 2009.
Switzerland – Stephane Henchoz
The full-back remained with Liverpool from 1999 until 2005, leaving just six months before our Champions League triumph. He lost his place in the side after the emergence of Jamie Carragher and never returned.
Uruguay – Luis Suarez
One of the deadliest strikers to ever wear the Liverpool red. He scored 82 goals in his 133 appearances for the club, prior to a £75m move to Barcelona. His final season saw him score 31 in the Premier League alone, earning him the PFA Player of the Year award.
Wales – Ian Rush
Talking about great strikers… Rush scored over 350 goals in all competitions during two spells with the Reds, which were only interrupted by a single season at Juventus. His playing career with Liverpool finally came to an end in 1996.
Zimbabwe – Bruce Grobbelaar
The iconic goalkeeper who begun the ‘wobbly leg’ method of penalty distraction that also worked for Dudek against Milan. Grobbelaar played over 400 league games for Liverpool, winning the title on six occasions.
