Luis Suarez’s Anfield stay was brief but delicious, and the Uruguayan flourished in difficult circumstances – but his spectacular peak means he absolutely must be in any definitive Liverpool XI.
Jamie Carragher was the latest guy to sit in the Stick to Football hot seat, and he was given the unenviable task of picking his all-time Liverpool starting lineup.
Given the vast number of outstanding players Liverpool has produced over the years, Carragher had a difficult time deciding on a final lineup, disputing with himself who the goalkeeper, left back, and right winger should be.
Carragher eventually went with Ray Clemence over Alisson in goal, Steve Nicol over Andy Robertson at left-back, and Mohamed Salah over Ian Callaghan on the right wing.
Despite Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez’s spectacular performances throughout his three and a half years on Merseyside, the Sky Sports pundit could not find room for him.
In attack, Carragher chose Mohamed Salah, John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush. All four are Liverpool legends in their own right, but it’s difficult to claim that they all achieved the individual heights Suarez did during the 2013-14 season, when he almost single-handedly won the title for the Reds.
Longevity is often factored in when people are choosing a club’s best all-time XI, and that certainly seems to be the case here. Mohamed Salah has been exceptional for Liverpool since joining the club in 2017, but few would argue that his peak level for the Reds matches Suarez’s best level at Anfield.
It’s just a shame Suarez didn’t stick around to be a part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, because if he did you can guarantee he would have filled his boots and driven the team to even greater success than it enjoyed.
What Carragher said when naming his team
When picking his team, Carragher chose Ray Clemence over Alisson due to their success in winning numerous trophies. Phil Neal is a right-back. I believe if I were asked this question toward the end of his career, I would definitely say Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. But I’m going with Phil Neal because he won four European Cups.
“I think Virgil van Dijk and Alan Hansen [at centre-back] would make an excellent combo. Andy Robertson may be involved. Even when Liverpool was really successful, I don’t think they had a history of producing outstanding left-backs. I’m going with Steve Nicol because he had a great chemistry with John Barnes.
“Souey must play in central midfield, with John Barnes on the left and Graeme Souness in the middle with Steven Gerrard.
“On the right, I believe there are two options: Ian Callaghan, the only player who has played more games than me. But Mo Salah has to start on the right side, and Kenny Dalglish has to play.
“I believe Ian Rush enters because of what he won. I think if Luis Suarez had a league title and a European Cup, I would have put him.”
Carragher’s all-time Liverpool XI: Clemence; Neal, Van Dijk, Hansen, Nicol; Souness, Gerrard; Salah, Dalglish, Barnes, Rush.
