We take a look back at some of Liverpool’s finest left wingers of the Premier League era.
Arriving at Anfield with a big reputation, powerful Dutch winger Ryan Babel initially struggled to make the anticipated impact for Liverpool following a £11.5m move from Ajax in 2007.
However, Babel proceeded to make almost 100 appearances during his three-and-a-half years at the club, including being named Liverpool’s young player of the year in 2008 – with his best memory perhaps scoring a winning goal against Manchester United. Shortly after leaving Liverpool, Babel would make the World Cup Final – achieving a runners-up medal as part of the Netherlands’ 2010 national side.
John Barnes
Although the latter part of John Barnes’ playing career saw the Liverpool star deployed in a central midfield role, it was as a flying left winger that Barnes will be best remembered by fans of the club.
Capable of creating magical moments – such as his goal against Brazil in the 1986 World Cup, Barnes was one of the greatest wide men ever to grace the Anfield turf – particularly during a marvellous trophy-laden spell in the 1980s.
Patrick Berger
Liverpool pounced for Patrick Berger following numerous standout performances at Euro 96 for the Czech Republic – with what would materialise to be a bargain £3.25m transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Berger, renowned for his spectacular long range goals and set pieces, made an immediate impact on Kopites with two goals as a second half substitute against Leicester City, in just his second game for the club. After seven productive seasons on Merseyside Berger left Liverpool to sign for Portsmouth in 2003.
Harry Kewell
As with many of Liverpool’s high profile signings of the era, Harry Kewell was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle – the man who would help Liverpool win an elusive league title. However, despite many impressive displays, Kewell’s time at Anfield was permeated with injuries and the Australian ultimately failed to fulfill his potential and become one of the greatest Premier League left wingers of his generation.
Despite all his perceived failings, Kewell made over 100 appearances for Liverpool and won the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield whilst at Anfield – a resume that qualifies him for our list.
Maxi Rodriguez
Along with Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, Argentina international Maxi Rodriguez proved to be one of Liverpool’s more successful January transfers. Rodriguez joined the club from Atletico Madrid in the winter window of 2010 – scoring 15 goals in 57 Premier League games for the Reds.
Unfortunately for Maxi, the winger fell a little out of favour once Benitez departed at the end of the 2009/10 season and, despite a positive 2010/11 campaign which saw 10 Rodriguez goals from 28 games, the winger was allowed to return to Argentina a year later.
Mark Walters
To complete our list we have an archetypal winger with tricks, skills and pace to spare. Mark Walters played for Liverpool during the early phase of the Premier League – and has the accolade of being the club’s first ever Premier League goal scorer and the scorer of the Reds’ first Premier League hat-trick.
Walters played 124 games for Liverpool between 1991 and 1995 and was at his best during the 1992/93 season, scoring 13 goals in 44 games from midfield.
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