40) Glen Johnson (2009-2015)
A loyal servant, if nothing else, who made more than 150 league appearances during his time with us. He remained a regular for the vast majority of his six years with us and played 29 times during the 2013-14 campaign, which we ended in second place. His final goal for us, a winner against Stoke, was also a show of his continued commitment – as he stuck his head in amongst a tangle of defender’s legs to find the net. Probably overpriced at £18m and never defensively trustworthy, Johnson was replaced by Nathaniel Clyne this summer.
39) Raheem Sterling (2012-2015)
Sterling will never be spoken of in a good light by Liverpool fans, but it’s important to remember that we acquired him for a minimal price as a 15-year-old, and five years later, sold him for £49m. This represents some of the best business in our history, despite the bitterness that surrounded his exit. Sterling was best at the tip of a midfield diamond in 2013-14, when Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge wreaked havoc ahead of him.
38) David James (1992-1999)
A long-serving, talented but ultimately flawed goalkeeper, James’ Liverpool tenure was dogged by errors, which clouded his occasionally superb, athletic performances. Only ten Liverpool players made more Premier League appearances than the giant stopper, who actually peaked with Manchester City and Portsmouth a long time after we replaced him.
37) Paul Ince (1997-1999)
The Guv’nor, a nickname Ince apparently forged for himself, skippered us between 1997 and 1999, and was an ever-present in the side during the period, notching an impressive 17 goals from a primarily defensive midfield role. He fell out with Gerard Houllier though and was shipped out of the club, letting himself down with the bitter comments he made about the humble Frenchman.
36) Peter Crouch (2005-2008)
Crouch famously took 1,229 minutes to score his first Liverpool goal, but when he bagged the first, they came at a reasonable rate. The phrase ‘good feet for a big man’ was practically invented for the beanpole forward, who is never mentioned without his height (6 ft. 7′) being uttered in the same breath. 42 goals in total for the England striker, including a memorable Arsenal hat-trick and a couple of bicycle kicks to boot.
