Who is the best ever Liverpool FC captain?

Theres been a shed load but who for you stands out as the best?

Some were lucky to lead teams that swept all before them others led teams in lean periods but might have done an outstanding job. Some might have been skipper for years others for 1 or 2 seasons.

No right or wrong answer just opinions maybe after we get a good few replies we can tally up to see if we have a clear leader

 This is a difficult one Brian as we have been lucky to have so many brilliant captains over the years.I will go for Rowdy Yeats for getting us out of the old second division and leading us to our first F.A.Cup victory in 1965,we had waited a long long time for that cup.

For me it has to be to Mighty Emlyn.

He carried his job with boyhood enthusiasm . Passed away 9 years ago now but still sadly missed.

Stevie next and Rowdy third.

For me it has to be to Mighty Emlyn.

He carried his job with boyhood enthusiasm . Passed away 9 years ago now but still sadly missed.

Stevie next and Rowdy third.

Skip I thought long and hard about Emlyn,he gave so much to this club.

For me it has to be to Mighty Emlyn.

He carried his job with boyhood enthusiasm . Passed away 9 years ago now but still sadly missed.

My hero.

Loved crazy horse.

Skip I thought long and hard about Emlyn,he gave so much to this club.

Emlyn Hughes was a great captain [who oversaw three League titles, an FA Cup, two European Cups, a UEFA Cup and a European SuperCup] and a great player no doubt but (for me) there's just a niggling cloud over the way he became captain.

Whilst it's true he was team captain, from '73 til '79(?), the real leader during that, in my opinion, was Tommy Smith... the man he replaced on the field but who remained 'Club Captain'. For that reason (and I am showing a bit of bias here) I'll give the title ["Best Captain"] to the Anfield Iron... just shading Phil Thompson... then Emlyn.

A note tho': I'm only picking from those who 'reigned' during my time as a Red.

Emlyn Hughes was a great captain [who oversaw three League titles, an FA Cup, two European Cups, a UEFA Cup and a European SuperCup] and a great player no doubt but (for me) there's just a niggling cloud over the way he became captain.

Whilst it's true he was team captain, from '73 til '79(?), the real leader during that, in my opinion, was Tommy Smith... the man he replaced on the field but who remained 'Club Captain'. For that reason (and I am showing a bit of bias here) I'll give the title ["Best Captain"] to the Anfield Iron... just shading Phil Thompson... then Emlyn.

A note tho': I'm only picking from those who 'reigned' during my time as a Red.

Same as mouse, Tommy Smith enshrined the qualities that go to make a Liverpool leader; honesty, courage, defiance in the face of adversity and a willingness to fight to the end for the cause. His trusty arl war-torn legs are testament to his commitment. 

Emlyn Hughes was a great captain [who oversaw three League titles, an FA Cup, two European Cups, a UEFA Cup and a European SuperCup] and a great player no doubt but (for me) there's just a niggling cloud over the way he became captain.

Whilst it's true he was team captain, from '73 til '79(?), the real leader during that, in my opinion, was Tommy Smith... the man he replaced on the field but who remained 'Club Captain'. For that reason (and I am showing a bit of bias here) I'll give the title ["Best Captain"] to the Anfield Iron... just shading Phil Thompson... then Emlyn.

A note tho': I'm only picking from those who 'reigned' during my time as a Red.

Tommy lost the Captaincy due to falling out with Shankly if im correct?

Tommy lost the Captaincy due to falling out with Shankly if im correct

Emlyn, during contract negotiations, (as the story was told to me, many moons ago), demanded that he be made Captain or he'd leave. Tommy remained as Shanks' Club Captain.

Both great leaders and proper legends in their own right.

Emlyn Hughes simply because he loved scoring and beating Everton.

Has Tommy Smith still got that pub, I think it was in Cheshire somewhere. I know he was having bad trouble with his knees etc.

Without a shred of doubt Graeme Souness, the greatest captain the club has known.

A leader of men!!







A genuine hard man, that would back up any player on the pitch and looks ready for business in that 1st photo, when you talk of a winning mentality and mental toughness, that picture seems to really sum Souness up, it looks as if he can't wait to steam into Roma there and then. Just the fact that game was played in their home ground makes him look even more determined.

Wish we had a few of them type players now.

Steven Gerrard.

Tommo, Emlyn and Souey for me.  Sorry I can't separate these three, as they all had unique qualities and were all successful.

Crazy Horse for me.  Never saw him glower or complain, always a smile on his face and a wicked sense of humour.  If only we had a crazy horse in the team now; the guy could lift ordinary players and make them special.  A one off.

Alan Hansen was the first captain I can remember, always put in inspirational performances, but Steven Gerrard has been there through the recent tough times, and has always lead by example and stepped-up when others were under performing.

Can't think of a captain who has let us down.

Added a Poll

Let me know if I've missed anyone.

Emlyn was my favourite, closely followed by Stevie and Alan Hansen as 3rd

Added a Poll

Let me know if I've missed anyone.

Emlyn was my favourite, closely followed by Stevie and Alan Hansen as 3rd

Glenn Hysen....

Emlyn for me. He seemed to love being the Captain as I'm sure they all did, but he always played with a big smile on his face and was such a character too.

RIP Emlyn.

Have to go with Stevie G as he has been the epitome of what it means to be born a bred a red to this current generation. My generation.

Fair play to those of you who had the honor of witnessing such fantastic leaders of the past.

Had to go with Ron Yeats.  Laid the foundations for all the other men on the list.

Shankly's right hand man on the pitch as he built his empire.

Would have had Souness as second choice.  Little time for him since his playing days but he was a fantastic captain.

Stevie for me cos he backed up his being captain by leading by example on the pitch.

He let his game do the talking. He clearly motivated the team through his performance in high profile matches. He gave players around him the lift. And since it is during my time the greatest captain i've have actually seen live play. So sentiments for him over Emlyn who i also know was a great captain for the club.

Souness for me.

Total tw*t now but my word was he a hell of a captain.

Hughes for me.

Added a Poll

Let me know if I've missed anyone.

Emlyn was my favourite, closely followed by Stevie and Alan Hansen as 3rd

Jamie Redknapp.

Emlyn number one followed by big Ron Yeats. Emlyn lifted the players around him with his enthusiam and humour. He always had a smile on his face and was cruelly cut down by the dreaded Big C much too early.

Emlyn had a personality you couldn't help being enthralled by, Ron Yeats a mountain of a man who usually got his own way and got done what he wanted, Anfield Iron, Tommy Smith put everything on the line every game, and Stevie G undoubtadly the best all round player of our captains, but Graham Souness. Nobody anywhere ever bossed and controlled a game like Souness. He even went the extrta mile, and if one of his players were being fouled unnecessarily, he would sort it out and that usually meant the old stretcher treatment for the offending player. Never been a player who could boss a game like him. And probably wont be again.

f***in hell this is so hard, great thread tho, I became part of the family back in '77', back then I was a snivelling teenager and not totally appreciative of who was who and what not, we've had so many greats with the armband and I'm torn, in more recent times it has to be Stevie for the many many times he had dragged us thru matches almost single handed, he has not had the quality around him that others have had, going back to Shank's time big Ron has to be up there, but the there is the Anfield iron Tommy Smith, crazy horse Emlyn, Thommo, Souness, Jocky, Kenny etc,

Looking thru our history and reminiscing I'd be more inclined to choose these;

1 Tommy Smith
2 Stevie Gerrard
3 Greame Souness

Steven Gerrard for me. Wears the club's honours in his heart. I remember Stevie made his debut, saw his second game for the club and supporters were singing his name by then. There's only one Steven Gerrard, truly.

That's a tough one to call but in the end, I went for Gerrard as between him & Carragher, they have carried us for the last 10 years or so along with Hyppia.
The number of times that Gerrard has gotten us out of jail while inspiring fight backs...I have lost count so the ones that matter are forever ingrained in me & I've been fortunate to see Hughes & Souness play albeit a youngster!

It was between him, Souness & Hughes for me as they all brought their own swashbuckling styles to LFC so on balance of inspiration & motivation, Gerrard has just shaded it...only just!

1. Gerrard
2. Hughes
3. Souness

Even Hansen would admit that Gerrard is a better captain that he ever was!

Voted for Souness as a child of the 70's and 80's, like a lot of fans I didn't really love the guy but had a lot of respect for him, Emlyn second then Stevie for me.

Gotta be Souness for me - woulkd feel confident of us taking anyone on with him on the pitch.

Very different characters but Souness followed by Stevie for me.

I would say Gerrard as most of them played in teams that full of world class players. I have never seen a player that can take a game and turn it in his teams favour when all looks lost the way Gerrard can, two examples are the fa cup final against West Ham and the Champions League final 2005.

I would say Gerrard as most of them played in teams that full of world class players. I have never seen a player that can take a game and turn it in his teams favour when all looks lost the way Gerrard can, two examples are the fa cup final against West Ham and the Champions League final 2005.

True about Stevie.
Good Post +1
Welcome to LFCREDS .

I would say Gerrard as most of them played in teams that full of world class players. I have never seen a player that can take a game and turn it in his teams favour when all looks lost the way Gerrard can, two examples are the fa cup final against West Ham and the Champions League final 2005.

Rowdy Yeats was captain when we were in the old second division,at the time the team could not be classed as world class. Under Bill Shankly and Rowdy we did become a world class team  and in my eyes many of them became world class players.Bill Shankly deserves full credit for having the wisdom to sign big Ron and St John as I believe those two players were the catalyst of the Anfield Revolution.

Emlyn Hughes for me followed closely by Souness .

Souness for me he had an aura about him as captain no other has had before or since.
Ruthless self confidence coupled with footballing brilliance & a fabulous team.
Losing was just not on the agenda when Souness was leading the side out..

Sourness by a country mile for me,other teams would see his name on the team sheet and sh*t there pants.
Fearsome,skillfull,and shot that could rip the net out of the posts.
Quite handy in the tackling department aswell,ouch...

Gone for Souness too....was a beast of a player who would lead by example and could dominate a game all on his own. He also didn't take any Sh!t and wouldn't think twice about 'sorting out' players if he saw fit.

Emlyn for me although Im slightly too young to remember him properly .  My username is Wolves 76 for a reason.  He was instrumental in holding Liverpool together during a struggling first half on the night we were going for the title and Sir Bobs critical first trophy.   He also lifted the European Cup twice and as a leader he was outstanding.  Rest in peace Emlyn.

Gerrard for me!

The best all-round footballer I am ever likely to see in my lifetime.

Emlyn for me although Im slightly too young to remember him properly .  My username is Wolves 76 for a reason.  He was instrumental in holding Liverpool together during a struggling first half on the night we were going for the title and Sir Bobs critical first trophy.   He also lifted the European Cup twice and as a leader he was outstanding.  Rest in peace Emlyn.

Emlyn for me too, didn't get to see him personally but it was pass down from my father of how outstanding he was.

My daughters name is Emma Lyn as it's the closest my wife would allow

Have to go with Stevie G as he has been the epitome of what it means to be born a bred a red to this current generation. My generation.

Fair play to those of you who had the honor of witnessing such fantastic leaders of the past.

This

Unfortunately, I wasn't there to witness other captains, so I'll go with Gerrard

Emlyn for me although Im slightly too young to remember him properly .  My username is Wolves 76 for a reason.  He was instrumental in holding Liverpool together during a struggling first half on the night we were going for the title and Sir Bobs critical first trophy.   He also lifted the European Cup twice and as a leader he was outstanding.  Rest in peace Emlyn.

I will let you into a little secret about Emlyn,he won every honour going with Liverpool except the League Cup.He transferred to Wolves in 1979 and guess what he won the league cup in his first season at Wolves.So Mighty Emlyn finished up with a full set and a few to spare.I can still picture Emlyn with a big grin on his face after scoring a goal for us,R.I.P Emlyn you were a goodin.

Thats right!  I remember being made up when Wolves won the league cup in 80 and not just because he completed his medal haul but also cos they managed to beat Nottingham Forest who I hated as a kid cos they kept knocking us out of cup competitions!   But you are spot on regarding his pleasure at helping Liverpool win...him picking up the European Cup against Bruges was when that grin was at his finest.   Or maybe being carried off the field at Wolves in 76 by our ecstatic fans after the third pitch invasion.  Fantastic memories from a fantastic captain. 

Emlyn for me, great personality, good leader, I can still see his rampaging runs , sady missed but for m a legend

I see 2 people have voted for Sami. Clearly they're picking him for his playing performances as his run as captain was short and uneventful.

I have been on the ale for the past three nights (including tonight till about half an hour ago) so me eyes might be deceiving me a little but does that list Glenn Hysen as an option for our best ever captain?

Have to go for Stevie based solely on what I've seen.

How a supporter answers this one is going to depend, in most cases, on their age. As I was born in 1991, I would find it almost hypocritical for me to say some of the earlier options, such as Crazy Horse. However, I still massively admire what they achieved for our club.

For me it is a toss up between Sami and Stevie, with Gerrard shading it due to his exploits when times have got hard, e.g. Gerrard FA Cup final. In some ways, Sami is a victim of his position, not being in a position to go on attacks etc etc. However, overall it is Gerrard for me. That said, from what I've watched and read, I really admire Emlyn Hughes, Ron Yeats and Phil Thompson, in particular the die hard spirit of Tommy Smith.

How a supporter answers this one is going to depend, in most cases, on their age. As I was born in 1991, I would find it almost hypocritical for me to say some of the earlier options, such as Crazy Horse. However, I still massively admire what they achieved for our club.



Thats true.  I was born in 71 and boyhood memories mixed with a bit of nostalgia take hold.  That being said we were consistently the best team in Europe during Emlyns later career as captain.  Because Im picking him doesnt mean I dont respect Stevie G who is the best player Ive ever seen play at Anfield.  But most people will probably go with childhood heroes cos thats when we got hooked into loving lfc.   Theres probably some really old blokes on here who are friggin furious that Jack Balmer hasnt had a mention yet!

  Theres probably some really old blokes on here who are friggin furious that Jack Balmer hasnt had a mention yet!

The reason Jack Balmer has not been mentioned is because he was never captain,he was noted for scoring a hat-trick in 3 consecutive games for the REDS.I well remember Jack Balmer and I am not furious that he has never been mentioned as captain.

Really tough one for me and for this reason I've avoided the thread - my most visceral memories are of Phil Thompson and Graeme Souness, especially Souness (and not on any nationalistic grounds!). That said I look at some of the other posters like Billy1 and Stuey (and many others) and I feel pretty humbled as an out of towner.

So my heart and memory is going to go for Souness laying waste to the best of Europe in a way that Roy Keane could barely dream of...but my brain is saying Stevie for what he has led us through!

The reason Jack Balmer has not been mentioned is because he was never captain,he was noted for scoring a hat-trick in 3 consecutive games for the REDS.I well remember Jack Balmer and I am not furious that he has never been mentioned as captain.


He was captain......for two years. 

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/jack-balmer

http://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/526

The reason Jack Balmer has not been mentioned is because he was never captain,he was noted for scoring a hat-trick in 3 consecutive games for the REDS.I well remember Jack Balmer and I am not furious that he has never been mentioned as captain.


He was captain......for two years. 

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/jack-balmer

http://www.lfchistory.net/players/player/profile/526

I stand corrected but in all honesty I do not recall Jack Balmer as a Liverpool captain.I do remember he had a shop in West Derby village and I do recall his tendency to hit the ball over the bar.People used to joke he should of been a rugby player.

The Mighty Emlyn not because I don't think stevie isn't great but the sight of Emlyn scoring a winner against Everton is still such a fantastic memory for me as a kid. He embodied just what this club is about and what it needs now,

I stand corrected but in all honesty I do not recall Jack Balmer as a Liverpool captain.I do remember he had a shop in West Derby village and I do recall his tendency to hit the ball over the bar.People used to joke he should of been a rugby player.

What was fascinating reading about him was although he was a local lad he got terrible stick from the crowd for not putting his foot in.  A sort of modern day Stewart Downing! Maybe he wasnt appreciated by all,  but as you mentioned three consecutive hat tricks is a fantastic achievement.

What was fascinating reading about him was although he was a local lad he got terrible stick from the crowd for not putting his foot in.  A sort of modern day Stewart Downing! Maybe he wasnt appreciated by all,  but as you mentioned three consecutive hat tricks is a fantastic achievement.

What people do not realise is the likes of Sidlow,Lambert,Jones,Taylor,Paisley Stubbins,Fagan,Liddell(my Hero), Done,Harley apowderhall sprint winner under an assumed name and Laurie Hughes all lost a big part of their football careers due tu the seciond world war.All of them with the exception of Done were internationals.

Tricky one. Loved Hansen as skipper when we won the double in Kenny's first season in charge.

Remember Thompson lifting big ears up as well, but Souness was as others have said an absolute beast of a midfielder and general - he would be worth an extortionate amount of money in these days on the transfer market - a ferocious tackler, hard man, leader, helluva shot on him and one of the dodgiest 'tache's in the 70's & 80's as well (coupled with the perm)

Tricky one. Loved Hansen as skipper when we won the double in Kenny's first season in charge.

Remember Thompson lifting big ears up as well, but Souness was as others have said an absolute beast of a midfielder and general - he would be worth an extortionate amount of money in these days on the transfer market - a ferocious tackler, hard man, leader, helluva shot on him and one of the dodgiest 'tache's in the 70's & 80's as well (coupled with the perm)

Ha, proper porn star was our Souey 

He bags a league title this year then it is beyond doubt Stevie. He is for me regardless anyway.

For me the most contested argument is who is the greatest player to play for Liverpool Football club.? Steven Gerrard or Kenny Dalglish?

I loved Kenny but I was young and my love for him as a player is more nostalgic so to speak. Gerrard is my era and Number 1 in my opinion.

He has done it in good teams, excellent teams and some sh*te teams. My ultimate leader and legend.

Souness for me was everything you need in a Captain. Drove the team, led by example, feared no one and was a great player too.

Smith, Gerrard, Hughes, Yeats and Thompson probably in that order next, although in truth Gerrard gets so high more on his ability as an inspirational player than as a genuine leader. 
 

Souness for me was everything you need in a Captain. Drove the team, led by example, feared no one and was a great player too.

Didn't beat up a Mancunian DJ though did he ay?

Serious note - whilst we've had some truly excellent Captains over the years Stevie has worn the armband for over ten years now and has led the team impeccably and got us results that would haven't been possible without him on the pitch.

I grew up in Souness era so i was expecting it to be a no brainer for me,Souness was an amazing player,captain,motivator,i will never forget the look on Steve perrymans face when he was hit by a full on Souness tackle in the early 80's it was like where the F**k did that come from,if it was a poll as to who was the hardest tackler,then Souness would win it hands down,but as to who was the best captain,i will have to say Steven Gerrard deserves that honour,his performance in the 2nd half against milan in the champions league final was stuff of legends,i know there will be some who dis-agree but we would still be on 4 european cups had it not been for Gerrard,so for me he is the best captain i have seen play.

Great thread mate.

I've gone Stevie because frankly he deserves it but on one level it does feel like betraying my childhood and Billy1 and a few others will doubtless have more context to add.

Souness as a captain though was something else - a different game in those days but he could do it all and then some. A wonderful player and hard man who just got it wrong as a manager. I don't think I'd have wanted to have a beer with him back in the day - and he screwed up hugely as we all know. He was a proper old school captain though.

But with Stevie, well I'm gonna re-post what I said on the day of his testimonial: -

"Enjoy your day skipper - been a privilege to watch you in red grow from boy to man.

In those early days there was something a little coltish bout you - but you were full of enthusiasm, athleticism and impeccable technique.

From that you developed into the finest (and in my opinion arguably the one true "world class") English player of your generation. Dominant and powerful and with a range of passing unrivalled in the Premiership.

But it was more than the sum of your parts that made you stand out - it was your courage under fire, will to win, hunger to gamble on the unlikely - the unfathomable -and then your self-confidence to back yourself and get the job done.

So many times that's pulled us out of the mire and/or over the line.

More than that - we just know you're hurting when we're hurting and proud when we are.

The second best player I've seen in red in my lifetime - but unquestionably the single most important as your name has been writ large across anything we've achieved in recent times.

Have a great one Skipper - here's to a few more and maybe, just maybe one last shot at the big one...?"

Didn't beat up a Mancunian DJ though did he ay?

Serious note - whilst we've had some truly excellent Captains over the years Stevie has worn the armband for over ten years now and has led the team impeccably and got us results that would haven't been possible without him on the pitch.

I wouldn't really argue too hard against anyone's choices mate .... they were all great Captains. The fact is Souness was only Captain for 3 years, which when compared to Stevie or Ronnie is a very short time, but Souness did win the league every year he was Captain, won the League cup every year as Captain and won the European cup, so his record stands with the best.

Personal choice really. I certainly think Gerrard has overtaken Souness in the best player stakes (something I never expected to see) and is now neck and neck with Kenny imo.

Scotia, nice one for the karma for starting this thread mate.........took a lot of thinking......

In their time all great leaders and there lies the difficulty in saying who is the best because you could argue when we were at our peak was it easier for Souness, Hansen et al to lead those teams than Gerrard?
For some posters they probably have only heard of people like Crazy Horse never mind seen them play and lead the team.
So in conclusion best ever captain is extremely subjective and probably depends more on what your definition of what a great leader looks like - vocal and brash like Hughes or leads by example - Gerrard.

I voted Souness and probably always will. Like I put on Newkit when they asked, he is Gerrard with a gob !

Souness was brilliant, everything Gerrard is today, Souness was back then. I feel its a shame many people missed out on Souness because they are missing out on how similar Gerrard is to him in his day.

The answer to this is probably a generational thing. To anyone in their 20s, they'll probably say Stevie. To those older, they'll probably say Souness. Which is what I'm saying. Souness set the example for Gerrard to follow and he did it with probably much more expectation on his shoulders.

For being a thru and thru Red man for all his career it's very hard to look beyond Gerrard.
But due to my age I have a huge soft spot for Souness, Hansen and Ronnie Whelan (though only due to Alan being injured).
I personally would have to have divided but equal love between Hansen and Gerrard.

The answer to this is probably a generational thing. To anyone in their 20s, they'll probably say Stevie. To those older, they'll probably say Souness. Which is what I'm saying. Souness set the example for Gerrard to follow and he did it with probably much more expectation on his shoulders.

Yeah exactly right.

It's Gerrard all day for me because I'm 22. I don't know any other captain.

He's everything you want. Skill, determination, passion, hard as F**k, does his talking with his actions and protects everyone in his team when someone is targeting them (see Sterling, for example).

And when he squared up to Van gobs***e you just know if they were on the street Stevie would of knocked him one and RVP would of stayed down.

I kind of get depressed when I read his age. Not long left but his influence is still supreme. Mammoth player and leader.

Yeah exactly right.

It's Gerrard all day for me because I'm 22. I don't know any other captain.

He's everything you want. Skill, determination, passion, hard as f**k, does his talking with his actions and protects everyone in his team when someone is targeting them (see Sterling, for example).

And when he squared up to Van gobs***e you just know if they were on the street Stevie would of knocked him one and RVP would of stayed down.

I kind of get depressed when I read his age. Not long left but his influence is still supreme. Mammoth player and leader.

I remember one of my early games at Anfield vs Man City - somewhere between 83 and 86 I think - were Souness almost broke in half a city midfielder.

having been blessed to see so many - all the way back from Phil Thompson and Souness to Sami & Gerrard in recent years, still has to be Souness for me.

One of the most ferecious midfield general's of all time - and he played in a time period when there was some pretty fierce midfield battles. Gerrard is outstanding - and so hope he completes his medal collection.

Gerrard, purely because of the loyalty and the sh*te he's had to play with (Poulsen, Konchesky) and for (Woy)

Love this thread.

It's fantastic to read the 'older' generations opinions on this one  . You can really sense how truly great some of these captains have been. Kenny Dalglish is the main reason I started supporting Liverpool Football Club in the mid-80s when I was 6 or 7 and remember watching earlier videos of Souness, what a fearsome player he was.

For me Steven Gerrard is the ultimate so to hear that others like Yeats, Hughes and Smith are in that bracket too gives me a great insight to what huge players and captains they were. Cheers.

Being a fairly new Liverpool supporter (~10 years) it has to be Gerrard for me because that's all I've known for the most part, but a great thread to hear about some of the greats that came before him. 

For being a thru and thru Red man for all his career it's very hard to look beyond Gerrard.
But due to my age I have a huge soft spot for Souness, Hansen and Ronnie Whelan (though only due to Alan being injured).
I personally would have to have divided but equal love between Hansen and Gerrard.

I think Jocky would be one of my all-time favourite players. Just imperious.

Emyln for me all day long, I can't really add anymore to what people on here have said about him!