Liverpool’s 100 Greatest series has stirred debate among fans over the summer break, but also exposed the extraordinary depth of attacking talent the Reds have boasted throughout the years.
The original vote accepted 25 votes from supporters, media and former players – but few clubs could fill 25 players of the calibre Liverpool could just for one position.
Admittedly, modern-day tactics have skewed the definition of what constitutes a ‘forward’ somewhat.
Therefore, we have taken the decision to omit the likes of John Barnes and Steve McManaman on the grounds of their primary classification as midfielders.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how this personal list shakes out:
25. Divock Origi
MADRID, SPAIN - SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2019: Liverpool's goal-scorer Divock Origi kisses the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Liverpool FC at the Estadio Metropolitano. Liverpool won 2-0 to win their sixth European Cup. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 41
• Apps: 175
• Goals per app: 0.23
Divock Origi was by no means as gifted as some of the names listed below, but his impact in 2018/19 changed the course of history and earned him a place in Anfield folklore forever.
There is no harm in finding room for sentiment sometimes!
24. Stan Collymore
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 6, 1996: Liverpool's Stan Collymore celebrates scoring the second of his hat-trick of goals against Rochdale during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 35
• Apps: 81
• Goals per app: 0.43
• Assists: 16
Scorer of one of the most famous goals in the club’s history, Stan Collymore’s Liverpool career was something of an enigma.
Thirty-five goals in two seasons can not be sniffed at, but inconsistency ensured he isn’t as fondly remembered as he arguably could have been.
23. Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey, 2001 ( Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)
• Goals: 60
• Apps: 223
• Goals per app: 0.27
Now peculiarly held up as a figure of ridicule among the younger generation, Emile Heskey was a lethal attacking weapon during his Liverpool pomp.
He chalked up 22 goals in the historic 2000/01 campaign and displaced the legendary Robbie Fowler in the process.
22. Dirk Kuyt
Liverpool, England - Saturday, October 20, 2007: Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt celebrates scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot against Everton during the 206th Merseyside Derby match at Goodison Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 71
• Apps: 285
• Goals per app: 0.25
• Assists: 33
A frustration for supporters at points, but Dirk Kuyt always turned up for the big occasion anyone who scores a last-minute winning penalty at Goodison Park immediately earns the sort of brownie points required to make these lists.
21. Harry Chambers
• Goals: 151
• Apps: 339
• Goals per app: 0.45
The Smiler still sits in the top 10 all-time goalscorers list at Liverpool, firing the club to successive league crowns in 1921/22 and 1922/23 before leaving with a stunning total of 151 goals in 339 appearances.
20. Diogo Jota
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 6th, 2022: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Cardiff City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 65
• Apps: 182
• Goals per app: 0.34
Prior to his tragic passing in July 2025, Diogo Jota made a name for himself as one of the most lethal finishers in the club’s modern era.
His impressive 65-goal account was rounded off in fitting style: a superb solo goal against our city neighbours at the Kop End en route to the record-equalling 20th league triumph.
Our lad from Portugal.
19. Peter Beardsley
Peter Beardsley, 1991 (Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport) 1990s
• Goals: 59
• Apps: 175
• Goals per app: 0.34
• Assists: 44
On a very small list of players to have turned out for both Liverpool and Man United, Peter Beardsley was a consistent source of goals during his relatively short spell at Anfield.
Scoring 59 goals in all competitions over four seasons, he picked up two league titles and an FA Cup in the process.
18. John Toshack
John Toshack, Liverpool (Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport)
• Goals: 96
• Apps: 247
• Goals per app: 0.34
A huge part of the Bill Shankly revolution, John Toshack netted 96 times for the Reds as he formed a fantastic partnership with Kevin Keegan, despite being hampered by injuries for much of his time on Merseyside.
He left just as Liverpool were establishing themselves among Europe’s elite.
17. Albert Stubbins
Albert Stubbins, Liverpool. 1940s
• Goals: 84
• Apps: 178
• Goals per app: 0.47
Once a club-record signing, Albert Stubbins steered the Reds towards a fifth league title in his first season at the club and eventually notched 84 goals across a seven-year spell.
16. Daniel Sturridge
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 5, 2013: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring the second goal against Crystal Palace during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 67
• Apps: 160
• Goals per app: 0.42
A position as high as this in a tale of what might have been speaks volumes for the prodigious talent that was Daniel Sturridge, consummately supplementing one of the great individual seasons (Luis Suarez in 2023/14) and plenty more.
15. John Aldridge
John Aldridge Liverpool. 1980s
• Goals: 63
• Apps: 104
• Goals per app: 0.61
Still an immensely popular figure on Merseyside, including over the water at Tranmere, John Aldridge had the thankless task of replacing Ian Rush in 1987, but he made a good fist of it with 63 goals in just 104 appearances.
14. Fernando Torres
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 14, 2009: Liverpool's Fernando Torres celebrates scoring the equalising goal against Manchester United during the Premiership match at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 81
• Apps: 142
• Goals per app: 0.57
It was shorter-lived than we would have liked, but few have burned brighter than El Nino at his peak, firing home a stunning 33 goals in a debut season that included three hat-tricks.
13. Roberto Firmino
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 5, 2023: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring the seventh goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 111
• Apps: 362
• Goals per app: 0.31
• Assists: 72
Roberto Firmino was possibly the most universally popular player of the Jurgen Klopp era, which is certainly saying something.
Bobby was an electrifying watch on his day, bamboozling defenders and facilitating further chaos caused by his attacking counterparts. Truly one of a kind.
12. Michael Owen
2001. Liverpool v Porto Michael Owen (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
• Goals: 158
• Apps: 297
• Goals per app: 0.53
Michael Owen’s exceptional early promise ought to have delivered him a higher spot on this list, but fitness issues and a contentious move to Man United that soured supporter relations have unfortunately hampered his Anfield legacy.
He remains, though, the benchmark for any young forward breaking through the ranks at Liverpool, with Rio Ngumoha the latest to be labelled the most exciting emerging talent since the former No. 10.
11. Ian St John
Ian St John Liverpool - Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport
• Goals: 118
• Apps: 425
• Goals per app: 0.23
• Assists: 103
Earning himself a line in the original ‘Liverbird Upon My Chest’ lyrics for his FA Cup Final winner in 1965, The Saint was among the most prominent figures of the early Shankly days.
With 118 goals and two league titles to show for it, Ian St. John remains one of the all-time greats, fully deserving of a mention in such conversations.
10. Sadio Mane
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 23, 2022: Liverpool's Sadio Mané celebrates after scoring the fourth goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 120
• Apps: 269
• Goals per app: 0.45
• Assists: 38
A man who kept pace with one of the greatest ever at his best, Sadio Mane was breathtaking to watch and an integral part of perhaps the greatest forward line the club has ever seen.
9. Gordon Hodgson
Gordon Hodgson, Liverpool. 1930s
• Goals: 241
• Apps: 377
• Goals per app: 0.64
If you want to know how prolific Gordon Hodgson was, it took Mo Salah until March 2025 to overhaul the South African’s tally for the Reds – plus 13 more appearances.
He sits among an unfortunate few Liverpool greats to have left Anfield without any official silverware, but his outstanding return has earned him an eternal spot in the record books.
8. Billy Liddell
• Goals: 534
• Apps: 228
• Goals per app: 0.43
• Assists: 132
A footprint so momentous the club gained the nickname ‘Liddellpool’, Billy Liddell was officially on the books for 22 years but unable to make his debut for over seven of those due to World War 2.
Despite this, the Scot went on to net 228 times in his eventual 538 outings, playing into the dawn of the Shankly era.
Liddell stuck with the side that handed him his professional break as they dropped and stagnated in the second division for almost a decade, having contributed towards a 1946/47 league title triumph in his first season of significance.
7. Luis Suarez
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 15, 2013: Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring the fourth goal against Tottenham Hotspur during the Premiership match at White Hart Lane. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 82
• Apps: 133
• Goals per app: 0.62
A parallel universe in which he didn’t make the switch to Barcelona could have seen the Uruguayan make a legitimate claim to being the club’s greatest ever.
A player so good he could make you laugh as much as smile, Suarez’s 82 Liverpool goals would’ve undoubtedly been just the start had he given us his ensuing best years.
The Reds attempted to atone for his departure with nine summer signings, but his ability couldn’t be replicated in the aggregate.
6. Kevin Keegan
Liverpool's Kevin Keegan celebrates with the FA Cup
• Goals: 100
• Apps: 323
• Goals per app: 0.31
On the subject of replacing the irreplaceable, Kevin Keegan’s 1977 departure felt catastrophic given his imperious record across six years at Anfield.
We all know what happened next as a certain Kenny Dalglish came along.
5. Roger Hunt
Leeds United's Norman Hunter (r) slides in too late to prevent Liverpool's Roger Hunt (l) firing the ball across. 1965 PA 1960s
• Goals: 285
• Apps: 492
• Goals per app: 0.58
There are fewer than a handful of forwards who could lay claim to having had the impact of Roger Hunt during his time at Liverpool.
A frankly ludicrous 285 goals in 492 appearances tell only half the story of Sir Roger’s 11 years, topping the Reds’ goalscoring charts for a whopping eight seasons on the spin between 1962 and 1969.
He remains one of just two serving players to have featured in and won a World Cup final, but it was his five goals en route to Liverpool’s first FA Cup win in 1965 for which he will be remembered most fondly in these parts.
4. Robbie Fowler
• Goals: 183
• Apps: 369
• Goals per app: 0.5
To earn the nickname ‘God’ on the Kop, you have got to be half decent.
Fowler remains undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers the city has ever produced, racking up a phenomenal 183 goals in 369 outings and winning the hearts of the supporters in the process.
He famously rejoined Liverpool as reigning European champions under Rafael Benitez in January 2006, but he will forever be best remembered for his electric impact as an academy graduate in his earlier years.
3. Mohamed Salah
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah with the golden boot award after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• Goals: 257
• Apps: 442
• Goals per app: 0.58
• Assists: 120
What is there left to say about the Egyptian King that is still unsaid?
Salah arrived for a second stab at English football in the summer of 2017 and left nine years later, having conquered it to within an inch of its life.
An astonishing 257 in 442 appearances, Mo will go down as one of the greatest to ever pull on the shirt and one of the all-time overseas players to leave their mark on these shores.
It still hasn’t sunk in that we won’t get to watch him again next season.
2. Ian Rush
Liverpool's Ian Rush celebrates after putting his team in front against Everton (Picture by: Peter Robinson / EMPICS Sport) 1980s
• Goals: 346
• Apps: 660
• Goals per app: 0.52
To get as many goals as Ian Rush did and still not top the list, it’s got to be a fairly special football club.
The Welshman recorded a staggering 346 goals across two stints, between which he discovered that Italy was indeed a foreign country.
It is a record that is difficult to imagine being broken and a level of consistency we might never see again across such a long spell.
An incredible player with a strong case to be considered the greatest-ever, regardless of position.
1. Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish celebrates with the European Cup. 1978, Club Brugge, Wembley. (Image: Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport) 1970s
• Goals: 172
• Apps: 515
• Goals per app: 0.33
• Assists: 171
A name synonymous with football, not just Liverpool.
King Kenny spent a combined total of 17 seasons at Anfield in multiple capacities, recognised fittingly with the renaming of the Centenary Stand in 2017 – becoming the first of its kind and immortalising a figure who will never need any introduction.
The great man remains a non-executive director at the club and will be a central part of everything Liverpool for the rest of his days.
Picking just one highlight doesn’t do his career justice, but it is hard to look past his iconic title-winning clincher at Stamford Bridge in 1986 as player-manager, something unfathomable to imagine in today’s game.
Long live the King.