Some call it ‘The Engine Room’ – we call it ‘in between defence and attack’. It’s fair to say, whatever you call it, that Liverpool have been blessed with some of the greatest midfielders in World Football. Players who can get stuck in, dominate possession, pass and move, start attacks or even fire the ball in to the net.
In the third part of our series, several of Anfield Online’s contributors have toiled away in our own Engine Room and come up with their choices for Liverpool’s Greatest Ever Midfielder.
Shortlist: John Barnes | Ian Callaghan | Steven Gerrard | Jan Molby
John Barnes
I always loved watching Barnesy play. He signed for us when I was just 10 years old, and was a revelation. As a kid, Barnes had everything you wanted, skills, technique and a sweet left foot. I don’t know if my soft spot for him came from being a lefty myself and trying to reproduce some of his free kicks with my mates, or it was from his generous, happy go lucky attitude that seemed to rub off whenever he opened his mouth.
The partnership he created with Beardsley, Aldridge and Rush was for the most part quite simple unstoppable. And whilst he was never quite able to transfer his magic to the England national side – for which he received a regular drumming in the newspapers – for me, that just made what he did for us even more special.
He had so many elements to his game. A dead ball specialist, he rarely if ever blasted the ball unthinkingly at the goal, but instead operated with an almost clinical precision, choosing his spot carefully and curling the ball with effortless grace into the net.
A square, well built player, Barnes nevertheless had a tremendous burst of pace that took opposition defences by surprise time and again. Add to this a love of taking on his man one on one, and the ability to hug the touchline. Not only a regular scorer, Barnes assisted his fellow strikers on uncountable occasions with pin-point crosses that always seemed to find their man. A proof that Barnes had a game intelligence that far surpassed the average player, and a generosity to make the right pass even having done the majority of the work himself.
In the later stages of his career, Barnes began to find himself struggling with injuries, and as opposed to flying down the wing instead took up a position in central midfield. Barnes was able to use his passing and playmaking skills to great effect, and was an inspirational figurehead to the Liverpool side and fans alike.
With a fantastic scoring record of just over a hundred goals in four hundred games, his impact on the Liverpool side is made even more fearsome. A true legend, an example and a gentleman even in the face of racial abuse.
Ian Callaghan
857 games, 5 league titles, 2 FA Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 1 European Cup and a World Cup can’t be wrong, so for me our greatest midfielder has to be Ian Callaghan.
A boyhood Liverpool fan who came through the very successful youth system at Anfield. From making his debut in 1960 to his last game in a Liverpool shirt in 1978 he gave his all for the club.
He started out as a right winger when Liverpool were in the second division, he ended as a central midfielder when we were the kings of the Europe.
Though never prolific, he did scrape 68 goals but that doesn’t do justice to the amount he created. Cally had great technique and from the right wing would put cross after cross into the box for our forwards to attack (and usually score from). His most famous cross is probably the one for St John in the 65 Cup final against Leeds.
Ian Callaghan is certainly Liverpool’s greatest midfielder.
Steven Gerrard
A man who is destined to go down in Liverpool Football Club history as one of the all time best to wear the red shirt. He’s already made history and it’s a mouthwatering thought to think that he could yet make even more. He has it all.
Coming through the Liverpool ranks, Gerrard made his first appearance for the reds, coming on as a late sub at home in November 1998 against Blackburn Rovers. Under the guidance of then Liverpool manager, Gerard Houllier, Gerrard went on to make a further more 12 appearances in all competitions of the 98/99 season. The following season Gerrard was staking his claim for a starting place in Liverpool’s side and it was in December when he scored his first goal for Liverpool against Sheffield Wednesday. It was a goal that made people stand up and take notice of this soon to be important Liverpool player. He took ball from outside the box, he left the respected defender ‘you’ll never beat’ Des Walker cluelessly standing there in awe and blasted the ball in the back of the net. He was soon making a habit of leaving players and fans alike, in awe.
He did have tough times at the start of his Liverpool career though. He was troubled with back problems and his discipline was raw at times. But it was that raw edge in Gerrard’s game that made you see that this player had passion for how he plays football and that he was a born winner. As time went on, Gerrard overcome his back problems and grew into astonishing physical fitness and strength. He would be all over the pitch wanting the ball and trying his best to influence the game. He was still slightly rough around the edges where his discipline was concerned but he had the professionalism to keep his head and excel with his football.
The 2000/01 season was for me, the season that we saw the complete Steven Gerrard on a regular basis. Liverpool were successful in winning the League Cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup that season and Gerrard was a major influence in this success. The then barely 21 year old midfielder was a player taking many games he played in by storm.
But he was to get even better. As time went by, it was all too obvious that Gerrard could play anywhere on the pitch and adapt to it with the ease of a veteran winger or defender. His influence on the team by his football was so immense, he was made captain of Liverpool in October 2003. And as captain, he’s continued to inspire and influence his fellow players up until this day. Most famously, on that epic night in the European Cup Final in Istanbul. He embodied the true spirit of the Liverbird in the Ataturk Stadium that night. He scored the first goal to get the famous comeback in motion. He burst into the AC Milan defence like a man possessed which led to the equalizer. And he dragged up anyone who wasn’t up for the fight – players and fans alike – to make sure we were victorious.
You can go on and on about the famous goals and play Gerrard has been involved in for the reds. But when you see him play his football, it’s a pleasure and a privilege. He is very fast. He is one of the best passers of the ball this decade has seen. His shooting can be both ferocious and classy. He’s a brilliant header of the ball. He’s a great tackler. His vision and reading of the game is brilliant. He’s two footed. He’s got bags of determination and desire. And when the team needs him the most, he’s usually there to make something happen.
Words are hard to do him justice. You just have to see him play and it tells you everything. Steven Gerrard has to be Liverpool’s Greatest Midfielder.
Jan Molby
After Liverpool’s 4th European Cup triumph off went Graeme Souness to Sampdoria and all eyes were on whether Liverpool could continue their rich vein of trophy hunting. Within 6 weeks Joe Fagan brought in a relatively unknown Dane who would go on to become a lynchpin of arguably the greatest Liverpool side ever assembled. A Liverpool side that under Kenny Dalglish would win even more games and score even more goals than Liverpool had before.
The unknown Dane wasn’t unknown for long as overnight his scouse accent appeared and he eventually forced his way in to the team.
Although he failed to truly make a mark on the first team in what would be Fagan’s second and last season in charge – it was Kenny Dalglish who restored the faith in Jan.
He spent much of his first season rotating from sweeper role in to midfield. In Dalglish’s debut season he scored 21 goals for the reds and nobody can forget his memorable man of the match performance at Wembley – as the reds beat Everton 3-1 to win the FA Cup and complete Liverpool’s only ever ‘double’.
Despite being a big lad Jan had enough pace to score sensational goals, like his (until recently) mythic goal against Manchested United at Anfield when he beat about 4 players before attempting to put a large hole in to the back of the net.
Jan did suffer with injuries but often managed to reclaim a place in the side, be it at the expense of a defender or a midfielder – such was his versatility.
He had his off field problems, problems that in the modern game may have meant the club walking away from the talented Dane. But for me – for a club so steeped in the traditions of pass and move – there was no finer passer of the ball to ever grace Anfield as Jan Molby. Xabi Alonso would have been just about fit to lace his boots.
What do you think? Who is right? Have we missed the real standout winner? Who is your greatest Liverpool midfielder of all time?
Vote here and leave your comments below.
[poll id=”17″]
THE NEW MODERN KING OF THE KOP!!!
Hav watched ‘REDS’ since1950’s,and saw some great midfielders! certainly Souness has to be considered,as are the ones put forward – Diddi Hamman also!,(the game then a lot faster!), Barnes;Molby;and Souness played in times when opposing defences backed away from LFC.These days they don’t back off!they are in their opponents faces all the time!THIS IS WHY GERRARD SHINES OUT above the rest!NONE of the other players mentioned,covered as much of the field as he does,or ‘scored as many goals!SG 4 me!
have you forgotten about the kaiser dietmar hamann?! what a wonderful player, a liverpool legend
its Stevie 4 me 🙂 cum on u reds bye bye Rafael
why no graham souness he was the best
Stevie G is the man
i m an old timer, but in this day and age, steven gerard got my votes, no doubt he is in a class of his own,if only he has dalglish and rush playing alongside him, i cant imagine.. whew!
It has to be Souness because apart from being a brilliant player, he took no prisoners and protected his own players and you knew he was captain.
Has to be Graeme Souness.
Steven Gerrard,
You have task in bring our liverpool to achieve the dream..
So,please continue the task because i know that once you start it,you will finish it…
Best of Liverpool player for Midfielder………
Souness by a mile. The younger generations will go for Gerrard, but even Gerrard does not come close to how good Souness was in his prime. He had everything in the locker.
If you could get a time machine and send Steve back to play against Souness, then there would only be one winner and that would be the Scot..
mr liverpool himself steven gerrard best liverpool player ever , and the world
i think gerrard best player in the world
That is so difficult to say there is another player who has ever played as stevie does;even in other clubs.
he is the greatest one
steven gerrard is a legend.
gerrard was born the greatest midfielder and forever will be
stevie g pure brilliance
Stevie G, always in the rite place at the right time….. specially in BIG moments….. NO ONE CAN BEAT HIM.IN A RED SHIRT…
only 1 winner in my eyes,souness,without any doubt.awesome midfield general.he was everything a manager could ask for in a captain.this midfielder demanded the ball,not like the modern day players.souness grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and never let anybody push him or his teammates around.no wonder bob paisley signed him.steven gerrard is world class,but if you wanted your players to fight,like they may well do between now and end of season,who would u pick.this is why souness gets my vote.he commanded respect,the opposition lost the game before a ball was kicked,when they knew souness was playing.(GET STUCK IN,SOUEY)lol.
No contest on this one. Stevie G all the way
Out of the four I would pick Gerrard but hasn’t been doing so well the last couple of games so I picked other. (Other being Benayoun.)
stevie g without a doubt what a legend what can i say that hasnt been written i thought robbie was god but he was just acting like one all hail the comin of the real god stevie g you heard it from a bible bashing smoggy die hard lpool fan
Barnes was pretty amazing. But where is Souness? He should definately be on the list. He was a legend. (:
Honestly don’t know enough about the historical figures (I’ve seen the history of Liverpool and Ours to Keep DVDs – but not watched the players week in week out.
Let’s face it – the you tube era shows you can dig out 3-4 minutes of clips about anyone that shows they are “world class” – do a search for Voronin if you don’t believe me.
All I do know is they the candidates all played in great teams – whereas Gerrard has almost single-handedly won us trophies and kept us at the right end of the table during lean times:
Champions League 2005 (most obviously vs Milan but also Olympiakos)
FA Cup Final 2006
And he could have walked and won a lot more elsewhere but didn’t – good lad – got my vote
Just for Stevie G ! YNWA (:
Stevie G ROCKS! I call him ‘best midfielder in the world!
It’s Steve G all the way!! He’s taken Midfielding to another LEVEL, Without a doubt the GREATEST Midfilder to EVER wear a LFC Shirt. UNTOUCHABLE!!!
without a doubt the best we ever had was the great emlyn hughes (crazy horse) he gave his heart and sole for the club any time he pulled on the famous red jersey and gave all around him the gee up to give a little extra god rest emlyn. ynwa
Oh by the way
Steve G is our captain
Steve G is a red
Steven Gerrard plays for Liverpool
a scouser born and bred
THE MIGHTY REDS LFC OUR HOME TOWN CLUB
I’ve got to agree 100% with Imran, well said mate
Souness.. no doubt about it. he could play it both ways, silky smooth or tough as teak.
No doubt it’s Stevie G!.Molby was a brilliant passer where as Barnes and Souness brought different qualities on the field.However,Gerrard nail’s them all and is the complete package!
stevie G. for me…
Stevie G for me, for one reason only and its because all our other great midfielders
generally played in great teams, Souness, McDermott,Ray Kennedy,Case,Molby,Barnes, Houghton etc and Gerrard has not had that luxury.
He has been on his own in terms of being the only world class player in the team, of his generation. Class.
gerrard is the greatest midfielder and will become a legend
Difficult one. In terms of technical ability Barnes is probably the best we’ve ever had. Let’s not forget he netted 22 goals from 34 league appearances during our last title winning year, bagging 28 in 45 in all competitions. And they call Ronaldo the best in the world! Again Jan had fantastic ability, better than anyone in our current ranks. Lots of fans have mourned the loss of Alonso, but for me he wasn’t a patch on Jan. Of course it’s difficult to compare across eras but watch the ’86 cup final and tell me if it is any slower than a bog standard game of today. Jan played a hige part in this game and without him, we’d never have won. That brings us to Gerrard. I feel he is technically inferior to the other two, but inn terms of influence we’ve never had a player like him. Not even Dalglish saved Liverpool so many times. You also ahve to consider some of the shite Gerrard has had to play with and it makes his efforts all the more impressive. For me it has to be Stevie.
Souness was my first thought but for those who never seen him play it would probably be Steven Gerrard .We have had some fantastic players in the past and it would be difficult to name the best but i’m goin for Steve G. cos he could have played with or alongside any of them and still looked better than them.Just IMAGINE HIM PLAYIN IN OUR GREAT TEAMS OF YEARS PAST?
THE MIGHTY REDS LFC
It was Terry Mc Dermott for me, he did everything.
Gerrard for me has a slight edge on Callaghan due to his attacking edge !
Stevie G for me!
All great players in their own right, however there is only one Steven Gerrard. He is the most complete player ever to bless the game, and the way he can grab the game and our team by the scruff of the neck is outstanding. What a player. What a man, he simply is the best, great to see him back. COME ON YOU REDS
I love Barnsey but because of the sides he’s played in and the quality he’s had around him it has to go to Stevie Gerrard because i do feel that if you play with quality it enhances your game. Barnes had quality around him all the time as did Molby and Callaghan ( so my dad says ‘the best midfield of all time’ )
But Gerrard has had to play in avarage sides all the time with the exception of a few quality players from time to time he has shone through and dragged this team to greatness off his own back and performed miracles for liverpool the likes very few of us had seen before, so for that reason it has to be him for me……….
For me Its Stevie G!
All great players but Stevie edges it for his pure captain marvel spirit that drags us out of the mire over and over again.
We have had so many great midfielders over the years it is tough and how could you not add Souness to that list.
Souness