For some football clubs, it's impossible to detach the images of the talented players who have worn their colours. Starting with Liverpool FC. Since it was founded in June 1892, the Mersey club has played host to countless players. And always.
And it is largely thanks to them that the Reds can enjoy such a prestigious reputation, both in the UK and around the world. But which of them can legitimately be considered the greatest in the Scousers' history?
That's the question we decided to put to ChatGPT, who came up with a ranking of 20 of the most illustrious Liverpudlian representatives.
20 Xabi Alonso
Spain
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso
What Grok AI said: “Classy deep-lying playmaker, pivotal in Istanbul 2005 and admired for his vision and passing.”
Today, in the spotlight for his managerial prowess, Xabi Alonso was nonetheless a hugely talented player. The performances he graced Reds fans with between 2004 and 2009 bear witness to this.
A midfielder as rugged as he was friendly with the ball, the Spaniard shone in particular through his fierce tackles and his quality of shot, powerful and precise. Which makes it all the more surprising that he only found the back of the net 19 times during his time in the Premier League.
19 Tommy Smith
England
Liverpool's Tommy Smith goes after the ball
What Grok AI said: “‘The Anfield Iron’ — fearless and dominant defender from the Shankly era.”
A child of the city of Liverpool, Tommy Smith is now considered a legend. It is a status that the former Reds defender all but deserved, as during the 15 years (between 1963 and 1978) that he spent defending the club's colours, he more than helped establish the club as one of the dominant powers in world football.
A player about whom Bill Shankly, his first coach, once explained that he had been cut from stone. Which is why he is undoubtedly regarded as the toughest defender in the club's history.
18 Jordan Henderson
England
Liverpool FC's Jordan Henderson.
What Grok AI said: “Captain for Champions League 2019 and Premier League 2020, ultimate team leader.”
Can Jordan Henderson be considered one of the most underrated players in the history of football? He certainly can. While everyone agrees that he was not of the calibre of the greatest of his peers, he was nonetheless a player who played a pivotal role in Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.
A respected leader, he has finally seen all his sacrifices rewarded with numerous titles, most notably guiding Liverpool to a long-awaited English league title in 2020. Not to mention the Champions League and other domestic trophies.
17 Fernando Torres
Spain
Fernando Torres - Liverpool
What Grok AI said: “Scored 81 goals in 142 games, lit up the Premier League with explosive pace and finishing.”
Some things are harder to explain than others. The fact that Fernando Torres never got the chance to lay his hands on an English league title is one of them.
One of the most feared strikers in the history of the Premier League, the Spaniard has flirted with the stars, but never quite managed to grab them. A player of immense talent, impressive pace and above-average finishing ability, his 81 goals in 142 appearances for Liverpool go some way to illustrating this.
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16 Steve McManaman
England
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman
What Grok AI said: “Creative dribbler of the 90s, standout during a relatively lean era for the club.”
A product of Liverpool's Academy, Steve McManaman fulfilled the dream of thousands of young fans when he was given the chance to wear the club's legendary red shirt. And to say that the club honoured him in the best possible way is an understatement.
And while the trophies he has won with the Reds can be counted on the fingers of one hand, his individual prowess remains among the most impressive ever on offer at Anfield. That is why he is regarded as one of the greatest wingers in Liverpool's history.
15 Sadio Mane
Senegal
Sadio Mane
What Grok AI said: “Electric forward, massive part of Klopp era success, crucial in Europe and domestically.”
When Sadio Mane arrived on the shores of the Mersey to sign for Liverpool in 2016, many people questioned the idea behind his recruitment. As a result, many were quick to change their minds. The Senegalese's time at Anfield was synonymous with success, both nationally and internationally.
An indisputable force on the Reds' left flank, Mane shone and made others shine. The 120 goals he scored and the 37 assists he provided for the Reds are some of the most tangible evidence of this.
14 Terry McDermott
England
Terry McDermott playing for Bury
What Grok AI said: “Goal-scoring midfielder, PFA Player of the Year 1980, essential to late 70s dominance.”
A Liverpool player for almost a decade (from 1974 to 1982), Terry McDermott made a major contribution to Liverpool's rise to prominence during the 70s and early 80s. A tireless, all-round midfielder, he was notably renowned for his late nights and the ease with which he could recover from them in a matter of hours.
And of his many personal achievements, a hat-trick against Hamburg SV in the 1977 European Supercup final remains one of the most memorable. The epilogue to an exceptional season for the Reds.
13 Ray Clemence
England
Ray Clemence — Liverpool
What Grok AI said: “Legendary goalkeeper, 3 European Cups, 5 league titles. Among England’s greatest ever keepers.”
He is the greatest goalkeeper in Liverpool's history. A historic player for the Reds between 1967 and 1982, Ray Clemence earned his place in the pantheon of the club's great legends through exceptional years of service.
An exceptional goalkeeper, he won five English championships with the Reds and three European championships. Before he left for Tottenham Hotspur (where he then played for seven years), Clemence had made 665 appearances for the Merseysiders. In other words, the fourth-highest total ever for a Scouser. Impressive.
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12 Kevin Keegan
England
Kevin Keegan
What Grok AI said: “Superstar of the early 70s, Ballon d'Or winner (post-LFC), key in early European success.”
One of the most iconic English midfielders of all time, Kevin Keegan is rarely the first player mentioned when it comes to the greatest of them all. But his achievements speak for themselves.
Twice winner of the Ballon d'Or (an extraordinary feat in itself, reserved for an elite few) while playing for Hamburg, the England international enjoyed success with Liverpool, winning seven major trophies - three English Championship titles and a Champions League title - during his six-year stint on the banks of the Mersey.
11 Jamie Carragher
England
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What Grok AI said: “Mr. Consistent, second-highest appearances (737), defensive rock for over 15 years.”
The younger generation may know him from his role as a consultant on hit TV shows, but no one should forget that Jamie Carragher is also a legend of the English game. In fact, he's arguably one of the finest defenders in Premier League history.
An essential part of the Reds' rearguard for almost two decades, ‘Mr. Consistent’ wore the Liverpool colours with joy and pride throughout his career. A player of acknowledged versatility, gifted with an impressive ability to read the game and make vital moves at the most critical moments.