For Mohamed Salah to match the Liverpool goal-scoring record of the likes of Ian Rush, he would have to maintain his current level for the next decade.
Liverpool’s Egyptian star Mohamed Salah has set the Premier League alight this season with his stunning goals and remarkable consistency.
The Reds have had some world-class players in recent times in the likes of Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and even Fernando Torres during his peak. However, none of them stuck around at Anfield for long enough to be truly considered a Liverpool legend and rank among the greatest ever players to don the famous red shirt.
In the unlikely situation that Salah remains at Liverpool for the rest of his career he would have a realistic chance of being considered an Anfield legends. However, in the current football climate, it is hard to imagine the Egyptian staying with the Reds for any longer than a few years.
With this in mind, here is a list of the seven greatest ever players to star for arguably England football’s most successful club ever, with an unrivalled five European Cup titles as well as 18 English top division titles in their trophy cabinet.
Starting with number seven, Jamaican born England international John Barnes spent a decade at Anfield, terrorising defences from the left-wing in the late 80s and early 90s. Barnes picked up two top flight winner’s medals during his long stay at Liverpool, making over 300 league appearances for the Reds.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest ever players to wear an England shirt, the former Celtic and Jamaica manager will always be adored by the Anfield faithful.
Next up, Robbie Fowler, despite being a boyhood Everton fan. The England striker never won a league title with Liverpool, but picked up five trophies along the way, winning the famous treble of FA Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup in 2001.
Fowler netted 183 goals in 369 appearances across two spells with Liverpool and, had he not suffered so many injury problems throughout his career, perhaps he would be further up this list. Blessed with wonderful ability with both feet, the Reds legend was a threat from all areas in and around the box and is one of the most naturally gifted goal-scorers the club has ever seen.
Centre-back Alan Hansen ranks at number six as one of the finest defenders in English top flight history. The Scotsman rarely put a foot wrong during his Anfield career, and picked up a stunning 22 winners’ medals over an 11-year period as a Red.
With 620 Liverpool appearances, he ranks 10th on the list of most appearances, and his three European Cup titles mean he has won as many as Manchester United have in their history.
All time leading goal-scorer Ian Rush ranks at number four, with his 346 goals speaking for themselves. The Welsh legend won five league titles and one European Cup and made 660 appearances for the Reds across two stints. Salah may have bagged 28 goals so far this season, but that is nothing compared to the 47 Rush scored in 1983/1984.
Entering the top three, Graeme Souness is up next. One of the club’s greatest ever cult heroes, Souness won trophies as both a player and a manager at the club. Like his compatriot Hansen, Souness picked up three European Cup medals and will go down in history as one of the hardest men to grace a football field in the English top flight.
Although some may disagree, Steven Gerrard is named second in this list, behind Liverpool ‘King’ Kenny Daglish. Gerrard is one of the longest serving captains in Reds history, and famously led arguably the greatest comeback in the history of the European Cup as Liverpool came from 3-0 down to defeat a star studded AC Milan side, winning the match on penalties in the Istanbul final in 2005.
Not much else needs to be said about Gerrard, a Liverpool boy through and through. His presence in the midfield will be sorely missed forever by the Anfield faithful.
A Liverpool legend as player and manager, Kenny Dalglish heads the list of greatest ever Liverpool players. The Scotsman will go down in history as one of the finest British footballers there has ever been, winning 20 trophies with the Reds as a player and a further 11 as a manager.
A Ballon d’Or runner up in 1983, Dalglish made over 500 appearances for Liverpool, netting 172 goals and is the club’s seventh all time leading scorer.
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