The 10 Best Liverpool Left-Backs of All-Time
- Think Football Ideas
- Mar 22, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 7
When you pay attention to the left at Anfield, there’s something you realise almost immediately, the left-back often shows who he is. The game often starts and ends there. It’s rarely the full-back who steals the headlines, yet the rhythm of the match flows from his boots.
We all know the front men can dazzle and steal the show, but the men patrolling that left-hand side, breaking up danger, driving forward, and creating chances, carry a quieter kind of magic.
They break up attacks before they begin. They spark moves that no one notices until it’s too late. They make moments of brilliance possible.
And over Liverpool’s long history, from the early pioneers to the relentless marauders of today, their greatest left-backs have been both guardians and architects. This is their story.
Here Are The 10 Best Liverpool Left-Backs of All-Time
1. Alan Kennedy
Liverpool’s golden era would not have shone as brightly without Alan Kennedy. Defensively sound, daring on the attack, Kennedy had a knack for appearing in the right place at the right moment.
European nights were his canvas. He scored the winning goal against Real Madrid in 1981 and later netted the decisive penalty against Roma in 1984.
Moments like these immortalised him, not just in statistics, but in the collective memory of every fan who had seen him run the left flank with purpose.
251 league appearances, 15 goals, 22 assists, but the numbers never tell the full story. Kennedy played with a balance of bravery and intelligence that made him the definitive Liverpool left-back.
2. Billy Dunlop
The early years of Liverpool demanded grit, and Billy Dunlop delivered it in abundance. Between 1894 and 1909, Dunlop made 325 appearances, helping the club claim league titles in 1901 and 1906.
He was a defender’s defender - tenacious, disciplined, a man who laid the foundations for Liverpool’s future success. His two goals may have been rare, but every tackle, every interception, every throw-in carried the weight of the Reds’ ambition.
Dunlop reminded Liverpool that defending was about consistency, character, and loyalty—the very qualities the club would build upon for generations.
3. Ronnie [Ronald] Moran
Ronnie Moran’s name may be more familiar as a coach, but his playing career demands recognition. Over fifteen years as a left-back, Moran combined reliability with astounding reasoning, reading the game with a calm precision.
He played in a period when Liverpool were climbing back from the Second Division, and his leadership on the pitch proved invaluable.
Moran understood timing, positioning, and sacrifice, qualities that quietly shaped Liverpool’s domestic successes during the 1950s and 60s. He was a steady hand in turbulent times and epitomised the virtues of patience and dedication.
4. Gerry Byrne
Heroism sometimes takes the shape of resilience, and Gerry Byrne proved that in the 1965 FA Cup final. Playing with a broken collarbone, Byrne’s courage became the stuff of legend, emblematic of Liverpool’s fighting spirit under Bill Shankly.
Byrne’s 12-year career at the club brought two league titles, an FA Cup, and three Charity Shields. But more than trophies, it was his unshakable commitment and fearlessness that left an everlasting print.
He wasn’t just a defender, he was actually an example of what it meant to put the club before everything else.
5. Phil Neal
Though many remember Phil Neal as a right-back, his left-sided contributions cannot be ignored. Neal was the embodiment of consistency, winning 22 trophies with Liverpool, the most decorated player in the Anfield club’s history.
Phil played with intelligence, anticipation, and composure as he guided Liverpool through some of its most dominant domestic and European campaigns.
Neal’s presence was reassuring, his influence subtle yet profound, and his record speaks volumes. He was a player whose excellence never wavered, no matter the stage.
6. Alec Lindsay
Versatile, dependable, and quietly brilliant, Alec Lindsay was the kind of left-back who made life easier for everyone around him. Signed from Bury in 1969, he slotted seamlessly into Bill Shankly’s evolving Liverpool, contributing to two league titles and a UEFA Cup triumph.
Lindsay could adapt to almost any defensive role, bringing reliability and insight to the backline. In an era of transition, he was steady, measured, and unfailingly professional.
Alec was the defender fans could trust to get the job done without flair, yet with plenty of impact.
7. Donald McKinlay
Donald McKinlay’s Liverpool story is one of longevity and leadership. The Scottish full-back spent twenty years at Anfield from 1909 to 1929, captaining the side from 1921 to 1928.
McKinlay was celebrated for his versatility and technical skill, capable of influencing matches with free-kicks and positional awareness.
He guided Liverpool to consecutive league titles in 1922 and 1923, leaving a legacy that spoke of commitment, strength, and pride. Players like McKinlay built the foundation upon which Liverpool’s modern success was constructed.
8. Andrew Robertson
Modern football found its ideal left-back in Andrew Robertson. Since joining from Hull City in 2017 under Jurgen Klopp's leadership, Robertson brought energy, brain-power, and a relentless work ethic to the role.
His runs down the left have been explosive, his crosses precise, and his defensive awareness acute. With two Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, and a Club World Cup already to his name, Robertson has become the benchmark for what Liverpool expects from a left-back today - commitment, creativity, and courage.
9. Joey Jones
Joey Jones’ journey to Anfield was anything but straightforward. Growing up in Wrexham and known for his rebellious streak, few could have predicted he would wear the Liverpool shirt with distinction.
“I never expected to go any higher than Wrexham,” he once admitted. “But there were several scouts coming to the games, and it had been reported Everton were interested at one time.”
Eventually, Liverpool came knocking, offering him a chance to fulfil a dream that once felt far beyond reach. Seven years later, Jones had become a symbol of dedication and grit. Hard-working, fearless, and fiercely loyal, he embodied the no-nonsense ethos Liverpool demanded.
He may not have collected medals like some of his peers, but the Kop remembers something just as important - heart, determination, and spirit.
10. John Arne Riise
If power had a name on Liverpool’s left flank, it was John Arne Riise. His left foot struck fear into opponents and excitement into fans, producing long-range goals and crucial assists, including the 2005 Champions League final.
Riise joined Liverpool after a hijacked deal from Fulham and quickly became indispensable. For seven years, he brought energy, audacity, and a touch of the spectacular to the backline, leaving behind 348 appearances and 30 goals before moving on to Roma.
The Norwegian was explosive, fearless, and unforgettable. He was the kind of full-back who reminded you why football can thrill even when everything is against you.
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