Liverpool has had some of the best Left-backs in the world. Looking back at a club history of over 100 years and so many legends, it is definitely puzzling to choose the Best Left-backs of Liverpool.
But here’s our take on the 3 best Liverpool left-backs ever.
3. Ronnie Moran
Born on 28/2/34, Ronnie Moran was the epitome of loyalty and reliability for the Liverpool Club and the city. From growing up in the Crosby town in Liverpool and representing the Reds for 13 years to managing the club for 36 long years, he is a true Liverpool legend.
Moran was associated with the Reds throughout his lifetime. He entered his boyhood club on a part-time basis in 1949 while working as an apprentice electrician. A month before turning 18, Moran joined as a Liverpool professional in 1952.
In November the same year, he made his first full-back debut at Derby but only played 13 games by the 1953-54 season’s end, when they were relegated to the second division of Liverpool. The following season he established himself in the squad and only missed six matches in the next five seasons, as he spent the last part of the decade on a regular basis during the brief reign of Phil Taylor as manager. He was even granted the captainship of the club. Moran also became a penalty specialist and other wingers found it really difficult to better Moran.
The arrival of Bill Shankly in the 1959 championship coincided with a spell when Ronnie was injured, but he featured in enough number of matches to qualify for the 1962 second division championship medal. In 1963/64 he contributed to the win in the first division but after that, he lost his place to Byrne due to fitness issues. He earned a total of 379 club caps and tallied 17 goals in his Kopites career.
Moran spent the last few years of his professional career in Joe Fagan’s Reserve team in Liverpool. During the 1968-69 season, he officially retired and entered the full-time coaching team and joined Shankly, Fagan, Bob Paisley and Reuben Bennett’s famous boot room team.
In March 2017, Moran died of illness at the age of 83 and in the same month, a book titled ‘Mr Liverpool’ was published which described Moran’s time at Liverpool FC.
“I cannot think of anyone in the game more deserving of a testimonial than Ronnie Moran. A true professional, a loyal servant to Liverpool FC and a nice guy. I know his links with Liverpool go back to the days of the late, great Bill Shankly and the other famous members of the Anfield “Bootroom”, but his place in history is down to much more than longevity. As long as I have known him he has always been 110 percent Liverpool” Sir Alex Ferguson quotes about Ronnie.
2. John Arne Riise
Renowned for his fierce and rocketing strikes, Riise is amongst the greatest goal scoring defenders to ever play the game. “John Arne Riise, ooh, ah, I want to know how you scored that goal,” the chant that was sung after his famous top-corner free-kick goal against Manchester United still echoes in the ears and hearts of Kopites.
After the Norwegian made his name by playing for Aalesunds FK and Monaco, he was snapped up by Liverpool for approximately £4million and boy, did he impressed immediately. He netted on his debut which happened to be the UEFA Super Cup versus Bayern Munich. Riise with his goal helped Liverpool win that game 3-2.
One of his career highlights was his cross to help Gerrard score in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, what turned out to be the start of one of the most iconic revivals in football history as they went on to win the match through penalties. Surprisingly, Riise missed his penalty but erased his blunder by scoring the penalty in 2006 FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. He recalled getting emotional after successfully converting the penalty and blamed the injury in 2005 for not able to use his power.
Born on 24 September 1980, the player even played as a left midfielder for the Reds. With a solid start in the initial seasons, Riise became a popular figure on Merseyside. He lost his form in the middle but regained it when Benitez was assigned the managerial role. The left-footer had a unique record to his name, of scoring the fastest goal in a League cup final when he scored a volley against Chelsea in the 2005 Carling Cup final in just 45 seconds.
Riise after winning the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul.
Probably the most prominent Norwegian the history of football, he is the most capped Norwegian International with a total of 110 caps. Riise had such an unrivalled power and stamina that his set-pieces caused a menace which was more than just a numeric one, it was physically threatening too! His free-kicks and shots flew like bullets and could break a head or two. With 348 appearances and 31 goals to his name, he left a massive impact as a left-back and moved to AS Roma in 2008. Since then, Liverpool was craving to match his ability as a left-back for around 10 years and finally found the ideal replacement in Andrew Robertson.
1. Alan Kennedy
“That was the beauty of playing with Alan Kennedy, you never, ever knew where he was going to be,” said Alan Hansen, Kennedy’s former teammate. Such was the unpredictable Englishman who is the best left-back in Liverpool history and also chosen as one of the greatest Reds defenders in the list of Best Liverpool 11 ever. He provided some of the most crucial goals for the Merseyside club.
Born on 31 August 1954 in Sunderland, he started his professional career with Newcastle United at the age of 18. He was a regular in the Newcastle team for 5 years and was a member of the team that lost the 1974 FA Cup Final to Liverpool. Despite the loss, Kennedy grabbed the attention of Reds Manager Paisley and was bought by Liverpool in the same year for £330,000, though that amount would look less to the Millenials who see their favourite modern-era players get that much as a two-month salary but at that time it was the British record amount for a full back.
Kennedy had a forgettable start to his Reds Career. He made several mistakes in the first 45 minutes on his debut and at half-time Paisley furiously commented: “They shot the wrong bloody Kennedy”. Though Kenndy fought back and had a better second half which also included involvement in a goal.
Kennedy was usually ridiculed by his better-distinguished teammates for a recognised dearth of talent, but Alan was someone who took it in his stride and came out with flying colours. He established himself in the team with his hard work and passion. There was no better defender than Kennedy when it came to performing in important matches.
Kennedy hit the back of the net in the 1981 League Cup Final versus West Ham United, which was triumphed by Liverpool in the replay after a 1–1 draw. The Englishman also scored the equaliser in the victorious 1983 Final versus Man Utd, with 15 minutes left in the game.
In the 1981 Champions League final against RM, Kennedy tallied the solitary goal of the match late in the second half. Kennedy moreover converted the crucial penalty that confirmed the victory for the Reds in the 1984 European Cup Final against Roma which was tied at 1–1 after extra time. Can we just ask Collins to make Kennedy a synonym of Big match player?
Surprisingly, Kennedy was just awarded two England caps in his career, however, he notched up 5 premier league and 2 European Cup titles and scored 20 goals in 359 appearances in what was an 8-year long career in the Reds jersey.
Honourable mentions who were top contenders for the 3 greatest Liverpool left-backs list-
● Alec Lindsay
● Billy Dunlop
● Tom Bromilow
● Gerry Byrne
● Steve Staunton
● David Burrows
