Liverpool have been blessed to witness some of the most technically gifted footballers ply their trade at Anfield over the years.
The Reds lost arguably their most skilful attacker this summer when Luis Diaz signed for Bayern Munich. The Colombian’s mazy runs were a pivotal reason he endeared himself to the supporters.
However, as the modern game has progressed, it has become less about skill and flair and more about productivity and stats.
Mohamed Salah, who has displayed wonderful, skilful moments for the Reds over the years, has shifted from this approach, focusing his efforts as the club’s talisman, which has led to Liverpool teammates touting Salah for the Ballon d’Or.
WIMBLEDON V LIVERPOO
28 FEB 1995: IAN RUSH OF LIVERPOOL CELEBRATES HIS GOAL, SECOND FOR LIVERPOOL WIMBLEDON V LIVERPOOL. IN THE FA CUP FIFTH ROUND REPLAY AT SELHURST PARK Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK/ALLSPORT
Ian Rush knows all about goals, of course, as the club’s leading goalscorer, but as skills become less of a necessity and more of a commodity in today’s game, the Welshman remembered the most skilful player he played with during his time at Liverpool.
Ian Rush claims Jan Molby as the most skilful Liverpool teammate
While the modern Liverpool supporter will do well to remember the name Jan Molby, he was revered among the Anfield faithful throughout the mid-1980s to mid-1990s.
Molby arrived on Merseyside as an unknown in 1984 and would go on to win three league titles and two FA Cups during his illustrious 12-year spell with the Reds.
Rush played alongside the Dane during both his spells at Liverpool and clearly still holds his former teammate in high regard. Speaking to The Redmen TV, he named Molby as his most skilful teammate.
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Rush on the best trainer: “Kenny (Dalglish) would like to be.”
Rush on the funniest teammate: “Brucey (Grobbelaar).”
Rush on the most skilful teammate: “Jan Molby.”
Rush on his favourite Liverpool game: “It was the 1986 FA Cup final. I dreamed of scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. I’d won the league, the European Cup, everything but the FA Cup final, and my dream came true.
Rush describing Liverpool FC in one word: “Magnificent.”
Indeed, skilful is a word hardly associated with central midfielders, but it also exemplifies Molby’s playing style when he wore the red of Liverpool.
Where does Jan Molby rank in comparison to Liverpool legends?
Molby also had a knack of converting from the penalty spot, from his 62 goals scored for The Reds, 42 of which were penalties.
Rank Player Penalties Taken Penalties Scored Penalty Conversation %
1 Jan Molby 45 42 93
2 Mohamed Salah 52 44 84.6
3 Steven Gerrard 57 47 82
4 Billy Liddell 45 34 75.6
5 Phil Neal 51 38 74.5
With only three of his penalties missed—against Sheffield Wednesday, QPR and Chelsea—Molby is second only to Matt Le Tissier as the most effective penalty taker in English top-flight history..
Of course, Molby was effective across the pitch and not just from 12 yards, but his efficiency from the spot is unlike anything Liverpool fans may witness in their lifetime.
And Salah may want to brush up on his technique ahead of the new Premier League campaign after seeing his effort skied over the bar in the friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday.