Liverpool in recent times has been impenetrable at the back. Their rock-solid defense has been the key that has unlocked multiple triumphs for them.
Now, of course, having a Rolls Royce attack that scores dozens of goals helps, but if you have a leaky defense, it will cost you in the long run.
Liverpool doesn’t face that problem. In fact, in the last 3 seasons, they have been in the same bracket as sides to have conceded the least number of goals.
In terms of least goals conceded in the Premier League, Liverpool is ranked 3rd this season, last season they were ranked 4th, and in the 19/20 season when they won the league, they conceded the least number of goals.
But it is not a trend of just the relative present. Liverpool has had unbreakable defenses and defenders in the past as well.
So, let’s uncover exactly that and assess the best Liverpool defenders of all time!
Sami Hyypia
Hyypia joined Liverpool in May 1999. Surprisingly, it only cost Liverpool £2.5 million. On August 7, 1999, he made his Reds debut against Sheffield Wednesday.
Hyypia’s collaboration with Stephane Henchoz was strong, and it was one of the reasons Liverpool won a historic triple in 2000-01, including the Football League Cup, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup.
He created another central-defensive partnership with Jamie Carragher, which was regarded as one of the continent’s most formidable pairs.
Alan Hansen
Hansen made his Reds debut on September 24, 1977, against Derby County in a league home match. They were beaten 1-0.
Many consider Hansen to be the club’s best center-half of all time. He was composed under pressure, cool on the ball, and extremely intelligent.
“Alan Hansen is the defender with the credentials of an international striker,” remarked former Reds manager Bob Paisley. He is without a doubt the greatest talented center-half I have ever seen in the British game.”
He had been in Liverpool for about 15 years. During this time, he won eight league titles and three European Cups.
Ron Yeats
Ron Yeats, a stocky 6′ 2″ center defender, was signed for roughly £20,000 by famous Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in 1961 and was immediately named as captain.
Shankly built the classic Liverpool team around Yeats, who won the club’s first FA Cup title in 1964 and their first league title in 17 years in 1963-1964. Yeats played 454 games for Liverpool before joining Tranmere Rovers in 1971.
Jamie Carragher
He is not only Liverpool’s second-longest serving player, but he also retains the club record for the most European competition appearances.
Carragher began his career at the Liverpool academy before making his professional debut in 1997. After seven years, he was awarded the permanent center-back position with Sami Hyypia. He was a key figure in Liverpool’s historic Istanbul miracle in the 2005 Champions League final when the English club came back from a three-goal first-half deficit to defeat AC Milan on penalties.
Carragher and Hyypia established one of Europe’s most brutal defenses at the time.
