15) John Barnes (1987-1997)
The Premier League era saw a different John Barnes, one without the devastating pace of the 1980s. If we were including his ‘first division’ contributions, Barnes would undeniably be in the Top 10, and probably towards the top of that as well. Graeme Souness and then Roy Evans adapted the Jamaican born superstar into a controlling central midfielder from 1992 onwards – and given licence to get forward and create, Barnes scored 27 of his 108 Liverpool goals in this era. Barnes was awarded the captaincy in 1996, but his strong form couldn’t turn Evans’ swashbuckling outfit into champions – and the legendary winger was released to join Newcastle on a free.
14) Dirk Kuyt (2006-2012)
Arguably no other Liverpool player (bar perhaps the man you’ll see at no.1 in this list) has given as much sheer effort and determination as the Dutchman. Kuyt arrived as a striker but was converted into a marauding winger as his goals didn’t come as easily in England as they had in Holland. Still, he notched 51 in the Premier League – only bettered by five Liverpool players. He also bagged in the 2007 Champions League final, a competition run that doesn’t get nearly enough coverage. It was too late though, with the side falling to a 2-1 defeat, despite largely controlling the game.
13) John Arne Riise (2001-2008)
If Riise had only ever come off the bench to take free-kicks with his thunderous left foot we’d still be inclined to include him in this list, but his marquee moments hide the fact he was an exceptional all-round full-back in the early noughties. The Norwegian found the back of the net 31 times in total during a seven year career, which for a defender, is simply exceptional. He won a League Cup in 2003, the Champions League in 2005 and an FA Cup in 2006 – but his most memorable moment came versus Man United – when he rifled a free-kick into the top corner of Fabien Barthez’s net. You can still hear Martin Tyler screaming his name.
12) Ian Rush (1988-1996 – second spell)
Liverpool’s greatest ever striker was very much in the twilight years of his career by the time we got up to the Premier League era. Nonetheless, he still found the net on an impressive 45 occasions in the top flight, a total that only six players have since surpassed. During this period he was an important player for the Reds both on and off the pitch, as he helped the likes of Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen, who made his debut the year after Rush left, progress through the ranks. He was also our top scorer in both 1993 and 1994 – netting 14 in the league on both occasions – before eventually departing for Leeds in 1996.
11) Dietmar Hamann (1999-2006)
Steven Gerrard carried us to Champions League final glory in 2005, but Hamann’s introduction enabled him to. The German midfielder came on and secured the middle of the park, stopping the supply line to Kaka – who was running the game. It’s fair to say that we wouldn’t have come from three goals down had Hamann not been introduced at the 45. While this was Hamann’s most important performance, he’d been key for us ever since arriving from Newcastle in 1999 to replace Paul Ince. The rangy German loved the battle, but he could shoot too, with a volley against Portsmouth in 2003-04 winning goal of the season. 283 appearances and six major trophies later, Hamann signed for Bolton Wanderers.
