Liverpool have added a brand new left-back to their ranks by signing Milos Kerkez, however who makes the membership’s high 10 record of all time within the place? James Coleman takes a glance.
Getting requested to place my high 10 Liverpool left-backs so as appeared like a simple process at first, however it wasn’t till I sat down and considered it that I realised the left-back place is one Liverpool have usually struggled to correctly nail down.
When making the record, I needed to apply one rule: a participant wanted to have made no less than 100 appearances at left-back to be thought of.
That’s why, utility gamers and membership legends like Emlyn Hughes, Steve Nicol, Jamie Carragher and James Milner, who all had spells there, gained’t be discovered on this record.
It won’t look essentially the most thrilling record at first look however keep it up and I’m certain as you learn on, you’ll be reminded of some correct Liverpool greats who’ve performed their half on this membership’s historical past.
10. Kostas Tsimikas
Appearances: 115*
Objectives: 0
Assists: 18
Kostas Tsimikas arrived in 2020, having simply accomplished a home double with Olympiacos, successful each the Greek league and cup.
In doing so, he turned the primary and up to now, solely participant to hitch Liverpool from Greece’s most profitable membership. Tsimikas’ debut season at Anfield was a quiet one, restricted to simply seven appearances throughout all competitions.
That modified within the following season. With Andy Robertson sidelined, Tsimikas began the opening sport of the Premier League season away to Norwich. Liverpool cruised to a 3–0 win, and though he turned in a gentle efficiency, many followers would possibly finest bear in mind him getting a bollocking from James Milner for a wayward again move, a really public reminder of the requirements anticipated at this membership.
Tsimikas recovered nicely, happening to have a powerful marketing campaign with 26 appearances and 6 assists. His standout second got here at Wembley, calmly slotting the successful penalty within the FA Cup closing shootout.
Regardless of his shootout heroics, Tsimikas remained deputy to Robertson, making 28 and 25 appearances over the following two seasons beneath Jurgen Klopp. He by no means let the Reds down and continued in that very same dependable position beneath new boss Arne Slot, making 29 appearances in 2024/25, that includes in 18 of Liverpool’s league video games and incomes a completely deserved Premier League winners’ medal.
With a complete of 18 assists in 115 appearances throughout his Reds profession, he’s contributed greater than most would count on from a second-choice left-back. His most memorable help? A pinpoint nook at Wembley that discovered Virgil van Dijk for a last-gasp winner within the 2024 Carabao Cup closing.
9. Fabio Aurelio
Appearances: 134
Objectives: 4
Assists: 14
After successful two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup collectively at Valencia, Rafa Benitez introduced Fabio Aurelio to Liverpool in 2006.
The Brazilian was a technically gifted full-back, comfy on the ball, strong defensively, and blessed with a candy left foot that Liverpool followers would come to understand. Sadly, as was usually the case all through his profession, accidents had been by no means distant.
Regardless of these setbacks, Aurelio made 54 appearances throughout his first two seasons. His performances had been spectacular sufficient for Benitez to maneuver on from John Arne Riise and hand Aurelio the position of first selection.
His purpose and help numbers don’t inform the complete story. Aurelio had a behavior of stepping up in massive moments.
His free kick within the 4-1 demolition of Man United at Outdated Trafford in 2009 was a magnificence, and he adopted it up a month later with a intelligent set piece in that chaotic 4-4 Champions League tie with Chelsea, a purpose that even drew a uncommon touchline celebration from the normally ice-cool Benitez.
That very same season, he delivered an ideal free kick for Yossi Benayoun to nod within the winner on the Bernabeu. Massive video games, massive contributions, and a left foot you couldn’t actually argue with, when he was match, Aurelio was among the best left-backs Liverpool have had in latest reminiscence.
8. Joey Jones
Appearances: 100
Objectives: 3
Assists: 3
Bob Paisley introduced Welshman and boyhood Liverpool fan Joey Jones to Anfield in the summertime of 1975, signing him from then Third Division facet Wrexham.
Jones initially struggled to make the affect he would have hoped for, and plenty of felt the soar from the third tier to the First Division may need been a step too far.
Nonetheless, in his second season, Jones rapidly proved his price. He missed simply three league video games out of 42 and made 59 appearances in complete, solely Ray Kennedy, Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence performed extra that yr.
It simply occurred to be one of the defining seasons in Liverpool’s historical past, with the membership successful the First Division and lifting the European Cup for the very first time.
It was on that well-known night time in Rome within the 1977 European Cup closing the place Jones earned his place in Liverpool folklore. Among the many sea of Reds within the Stadio Olimpico, one banner stood out, and it stays one of the iconic in membership historical past: ‘Joey ate the frogs’ legs, made the Swiss roll, now he’s munching Gladbach.’
A terrace basic for a participant who at all times gave completely all the pieces in a Liverpool shirt.
7. Stig Inge Bjornebye
Appearances: 184
Objectives: 4
Assists: 39
It took only one season at Rosenborg, the place he accomplished a home double and scored the winner within the Norwegian Cup closing, for Stig Inge Bjornebye to catch the attention of then Liverpool supervisor Graeme Souness.
Signed in late 1992, he turned the primary Norwegian to put on the well-known purple shirt. As Liverpool debuts go, his wasn’t one to recollect, with the Reds struggling a 5-1 defeat at Coventry Metropolis.
That appeared to set the tone early on, as Bjornebye made simply 22 appearances in his first 18 months on the membership earlier than being loaned again to Rosenborg halfway by the 1993/94 season.
At that stage, loads of followers assumed they’d seen the final of Bjornebye in a Liverpool shirt.
Upon his return, he discovered himself in a a lot more energizing Liverpool facet beneath Roy Evans, with the emergence of Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler injecting much-needed youth and power into the staff.
Bjornebye made 44 appearances in 1994/95, registering 10 assists and establishing himself as a dependable outlet on the left. A damaged leg disrupted most of his following marketing campaign, however he returned in fashion in 1996/97, taking part in each one among Liverpool’s 52 matches that season and producing his finest kind.
He registered 17 assists, six of them for Fowler, and he additionally teed up debut targets for Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen. All 4 of his Liverpool targets additionally got here that season. His performances earned him a deserved place within the 1996/97 PFA Staff of the 12 months.
Whereas he could not have had the smoothest begin to life at Anfield, Bjornebye’s revival beneath Roy Evans, and that standout 1996/97 marketing campaign, guarantee his place within the dialog in relation to Liverpool’s handiest left-backs of the Premier League period.
6. Ronnie Moran
Appearances: 379
Objectives: 17
Assists: 20
Ronnie Moran was Liverpool by and thru. He made his debut in 1952 and went on to serve the membership as a dependable, no-nonsense left-back. He wasn’t flashy, however he was reliable, the kind of participant you’d belief to get on along with his job with out a lot fuss.
Moran was a part of the facet that gained promotion again to the First Division beneath Invoice Shankly in 1962 and performed a key position within the staff that went on to elevate the league title in 1964.
A strong defender and a pure chief, Moran was recognized for his consistency and work ethic greater than any standout particular person moments. He captained the membership beneath Shankly and was trusted within the massive video games, a mark of his standing within the dressing room.
He spent the whole lot of his 16-year taking part in profession at Anfield, racking up 379 appearances and incomes the respect of teammates and supporters alike.
However it’s what got here after his taking part in days that actually secured his legendary standing. Moran moved straight into teaching, turning into a key determine within the well-known ‘Boot Room’ and serving beneath each Liverpool supervisor from Shankly to Roy Evans.
His affect on the membership’s success throughout the many years can’t be overstated, he was there for numerous league titles, European triumphs, and cup finals, quietly shaping Liverpool behind the scenes. He even stepped in as caretaker supervisor twice when the membership wanted him.
Moran could not have been essentially the most glamorous determine in membership historical past, however he was one among its most vital, and he gave the very best a part of 5 many years to the membership he liked.
5. Alec Lindsay
Appearances: 248
Objectives: 18
Assists: 17
So far as debuts go, Alec Lindsay’s was onerous to high, he marked his first look for Liverpool with a purpose in a outstanding 10-0 win over Irish facet Dundalk within the European Gala’s Cup.
He discovered the online once more in his subsequent outing a month later, coming off the bench to attain in a 2-2 First Division draw away to Ipswich. Initially signed to offer competitors throughout the entrance line, Lindsay discovered alternatives restricted and made simply seven appearances in his first season.
Annoyed by the shortage of sport time, he submitted a switch request, which Shankly rejected. As an alternative, the choice was made to shift him to left-back, a transfer that proved pivotal in shaping the remainder of Lindsay’s Liverpool profession.
Lindsay was a strong presence on the again but additionally provided an attacking menace, along with his pure capacity going ahead complementing his defensive work.
He even contributed eight targets from the penalty spot throughout his Liverpool profession. Between 1972 and 1974, he performed a key position in a profitable facet, successful the League, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup.
His finest kind got here throughout Shankly’s tenure, however he struggled to keep up these ranges following Bob Paisley’s appointment. Off-field distractions affected his performances, and Paisley later expressed remorse at not with the ability to get the very best out of him.
4. John Arne Riise
Appearances: 348
Objectives: 31
Assists: 36
Recent off their treble-winning marketing campaign in 2000/01, when Liverpool secured Champions League soccer for the primary time, the Reds got down to fill a number of lacking items in the summertime switch window.
Their first signing was John Arne Riise from Monaco. Carragher had crammed in at left-back all through the treble season, however Gerard Houllier was eager so as to add extra stability and attacking menace down the left with a pure left footer, particularly after Christian Ziege had struggled to make an enduring impression.
He picked up a winner’s medal in his very first sport for the membership as Liverpool beat Man United within the 2001 Charity Defend, after which scored his first purpose in his very subsequent begin, a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich within the UEFA Tremendous Cup, fittingly again in Monaco.
His subsequent purpose, and his first within the Premier League, got here simply three weeks later in a Merseyside derby win at Goodison Park. However it was his fourth that basically made individuals sit up, an absolute rocket of a free-kick at Anfield in a 3-1 win over United.
Struck at a reported 70 miles per hour, it left Kopites overjoyed and Fabian Barthez, together with the remainder of the United defence, questioning what they’d simply witnessed. As first impressions go, Riise made fairly the affect.
He would go on to make the left-back spot his personal, often pushing additional ahead as a left midfielder.
Regardless of lacking a penalty within the 2005 Champions League closing shootout, he may nonetheless maintain his head excessive as no participant represented Liverpool extra that season than the Norwegian.
He made amends from the spot the next yr when scoring within the Reds’ 2006 FA Cup closing victory over West Ham. Some could bear in mind his unlucky personal purpose within the ninety fifth minute in opposition to Chelsea within the 2008 Champions League semi-final, however when Riise seems to be again on his Liverpool profession, he has loads to be happy with.
3. Gerry Byrne
Appearances: 333
Objectives: 4
Assists: 13
A one-club man who was as onerous as nails, Gerry Byrne’s Liverpool profession spanned 12 years.
He was simply 18 when he was handed his debut, a day to neglect, because the Reds had been thrashed 5-1 away at Charlton Athletic in a Second Division conflict in 1957, with Byrne scoring an personal purpose.
He wouldn’t make his second look till a yr later, once more away from residence, this time in a 3-1 win over Bristol Metropolis.
Byrne’s Reds profession correctly kicked into gear within the 1960/61 marketing campaign, when he made 38 appearances. The next season, beneath Shankly, Byrne turned a key determine in a facet that lastly earned promotion to the First Division.
He performed in each single sport Liverpool performed that season and stays finest remembered for his heroic efficiency within the 1965 FA Cup Closing, when he performed virtually the complete match with a damaged collarbone, an damage that might preserve a modern-day footballer out for as much as two months.
As an alternative of coming off, Byrne carried on, taking part in by the ache to assist Liverpool elevate the trophy for the primary time within the membership’s historical past.
Alongside Roger Hunt and Ian Callaghan, Byrne was one among solely three gamers on the pitch that day who had been a part of Shankly’s early Second Division facet, an emblem of loyalty, resilience and the way far Liverpool had come beneath the Scot.
2. Andy Robertson
Appearances: 342*
Objectives: 11
Assists: 67
Regardless of struggling relegation twice in his first three seasons with Hull, Robertson caught the attention, although even he admitted shock when Liverpool got here calling.
On the time, some followers had been uncertain in regards to the signing, however Klopp had a behavior of discovering worth in gamers from relegated golf equipment, having introduced in Gini Wijnaldum from Newcastle the yr earlier than, and Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke the yr after Robertson’s arrival.
Like lots of Klopp’s signings, Robertson needed to bide his time earlier than breaking into Liverpool’s beginning eleven. It wasn’t till early December 2017 that he obtained his probability, stepping in after Alberto Moreno picked up an damage.
Robertson put in a string of strong performances, however it was a second within the 4-3 win over Man Metropolis in January 2018 that actually gained over the Anfield crowd.
In a chaotic sport, Robertson chased the ball from his personal half all the best way to Metropolis goalkeeper Ederson, urgent relentlessly and setting the tone for the staff. The gang erupted, and from that second, his bond with the followers started to develop.
Robertson has performed a serious position in Liverpool’s latest period of success. The Scot has gained each main honour in purple: a Champions League, two Premier League titles, a UEFA Tremendous Cup, a Membership World Cup, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.
However what really units Robertson aside isn’t simply his relentless work charge, although he provides 100% each time he steps on the pitch, it’s his outstanding output going ahead.
With 67 assists in 342 appearances, he averages one each 5 video games, an impressive return for a full-back. Past the numbers, Robertson’s character has additionally made him a fan favorite.
His apparent enjoyment of Merseyside derbies, usually seen laughing or winding up Everton gamers hasn’t gone unnoticed by Liverpool supporters, solely strengthening his bond with the Kop.
1. Alan Kennedy
Appearances: 359
Objectives: 20
Assists: 21
Alan Kennedy’s Liverpool story didn’t get off to the smoothest begin, in truth, like Robertson, his first encounter with the Reds was as an opponent, when Kennedy was a part of the Newcastle facet that Shankly’s Liverpool brushed apart 3-0 within the 1974 FA Cup closing.
4 years later, Paisley introduced him to Anfield, and his debut was nothing wanting memorable.
He arrange Kenny Dalglish for the opener in a 2-1 win over QPR, however not earlier than enduring a number of nervy moments on the again, together with one wayward clearance that famously knocked a policeman’s helmet clear off his head. Throughout his half-time staff discuss, Paisley checked out his new left-back and muttered: “They shot the improper Kennedy.”
Two First Division titles in his first two seasons set the tone for his Anfield profession, and issues solely obtained higher.
In 1981, he helped the Reds to a First Division, League Cup, and European Cup treble, scoring the one purpose in a 1–0 win over Actual Madrid on that well-known night time in Paris, nonetheless the final time the Spanish giants had been crushed in a European Cup closing.
Kennedy wasn’t executed there. He added two extra league titles and two extra League Cups to his assortment, together with a purpose in opposition to Man United within the 1983 League Cup closing.
Then, in 1984, Liverpool as soon as once more accomplished a treble of the First Division, League Cup, and European Cup. With the ultimate in opposition to Roma going to penalties in their very own yard on the Stadio Olimpico, it was Kennedy who stepped up and coolly slotted residence the successful spot-kick to clinch Liverpool’s fourth European crown.
Not dangerous for a left-back who as soon as knocked a policeman’s helmet off on his debut!
It was a detailed name between Robertson and Kennedy for high spot however given the quantity of silverware Kennedy gained throughout his time at Liverpool, together with a purpose in a cup closing win over Man United and two decisive moments in European Cup finals, he simply pips the Scot to first place.
