Most skillful opposing players to play in front of the KOP

I've had a good search through the forum threads to see if anyone had started a similar topic so I could comment , alas no..so here's my first KOP opening post..
I recently commented on BigMicks topic of whether we should Forgive and Forget Suarez and his on and off antics and move on.My post included a mention of "Genius" footy players who have graced the game down the years and how there's a fine line when it comes to their sanity..
It got me thinking of my baptism of visits to Anfield with my grandad / dad and eventually with my mates and how we were privelliged to witness some amazing oppostition players in front of The Kop and the respect and applause they received...
It's almost like they revelled in our unique stadiums atmosphere which brought out their effortless talent and earned them, quite often, a standing ovation..
There's no better place on earth if your a footballer to showcase your talent than in front of The Kop as we know skill and talent when we see it more then any other set of fans in the world..and if your good , we'll let you know..
Some so called "world class" players have come to Anfield and been fed on scraps and gone away with absolutely nothing , others have ran the game and gone away with a goal or two and the MOTM award..
So, what opposing players down the years have you had the privellige to watch at Anfield?..I'm talking skill and talent along with character to allow the Kop to wind them up..
My early recollections of outstanding performances are like i've said from the 70's and 80's..here's a few to kick things off.
Bobby Charlton / Dennis Law / George Best
Frank Worthington (Bolton)
Stan Bowles(took loadsa stick off The Kop but played a blinder for QPR)
Alan Clarke (Leeds Utd)
More recently....Patrick Veira
Glenn Hoddle

I remember seeing a few European players from the 70's too but I can't really recollect their names as I was so young but I can remember the reception they got from us and how well they played..

 

Without going to far into this from the top of my head.

Henry
Ronaldo
....  Did Messi get on the pitch in 2007?

....  Did Messi get on the pitch in 2007?

He started the game...not sure if he was subbed..

My Ol Man said he watched Johan Cruyff play in 66 for Ajax and he was ace...

Here's a link for those who may care to remember...

http://www.lfchistory.net/Opposition/Default.aspx

He started the game...not sure if he was subbed..

he was marked out of the game by Arbeloa, legally as well not like he does at rm

One man, Thierry Henry. Best Premier League player ever imo, he loved Anfield as well and appreciated our fans.

Has Del Piero been mentioned? Xavi was here with Barce. Bergkamp. Nedved. Go back a bit then to Hoddle, Waddle, Le Tissier Gazza,

Hate him or not Ronaldo.

Rivaldo

not the best but ,jeremy goss for the goal he scored on the last day of the old kop. deserves a mention.

Ronaldinho also

I've not been to may live games but the best for me has to be Henry.

Robbie Fowler
Steve McMahon
Steve McManaman
John Aldridge
Jason McAteer

Robbie Fowler
Steve McMahon
Steve McManaman
John Aldridge
Jason McAteer

Haha very subtle Billy.

Ronaldo, Bergkamp, Henry.

John 'Digger' Barnes for Watford @ Anfield 1986

What a legend he became, loved the man still do, wish we could turn the club back, pace, power, strength and a footballing brain to die for, a man two decades ahead of his time, IMO, in the top 10 players ever to wear the bird on his chest,

Fantastic player

YNWA

Good as Cristiano Ronaldo undoubtedly is, he never particular impressed me with his performances at Anfield, and rarely showcased his excellent skill.

Thierry Henry, wow, I remember sitting in the Kop when I was younger and just being amazed by him on a couple of occasions. So elegant. Even towards the end of his Arsenal career, he killed Carragher with his ridiculous close control, pace and finishing finesse to wrap that FA Cup tie up here in 2007.

It was great seeing Ronaldinho in the flesh at Anfield while at his peak. He didn't get many touches but showed glimpses of phenomenal talent whenever he did.

I would mention a Real Madrid player but for the fact when they came here they got demolished 4-0 and none of their attacking talent had the opportunity to showcase their skill

Charlie Adam.

Bergkamp

He would be my vote.  He is my favorite player to never wear the Liverbird!  In my opinion, this is the greatest goal ever scored because I can't fathom how he had the presence of mind (or sheer audacity) to even attempt this: 

Best Goal ever!!(Dennis Bergkamp)

Hmm, in recent times, I can think Henry, Ronaldo, Viera,  and slightly lower down, Bergkamp.

A level down again, I'd put Drogba (not skill, just a pain in the neck), Aguero.

Asprilla and Juninho were fantastic players. Gullit was a legend, but past it when he played at Anfield, as I recall. Likewise our own Litmanen.

Lots of stars of foreign clubs, Ronaldinho really standing out.

As I recall, Maradona never played against us ( Euro ban unfortunately).
I suppose the nearest to that was a World Club Final when we got pretty slaughtered by Zico...

I think Stoichkov and Romario have played infront of the Kop. Not sure about Enzo Francescoli, Rummenigge and Platini.

Those, are the main talents I can think of in recent times. Fortunately, in Torres, Gerrard and Suarez, we've had 3 players to compete with pretty much all that list.

Jimmy Greaves

Sniffer Clarke  Leeds

Alan Hudson  Chavs

(Stoke manager Tony Waddington saw Hudson as the final piece of the jigsaw that would turn Stoke City into genuine championship challengers in 1975.[2] Hudson's debut for Stoke against Liverpool on 19 January 1974 was described by former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Stan Cullis, commentating on radio, as the finest debut performance he had ever seen. ) Wikipedia

Thats the oldies. Got to think through the newbies.

He would be my vote.  He is my favorite player to never wear the Liverbird!  In my opinion, this is the greatest goal ever scored because I can't fathom how he had the presence of mind (or sheer audacity) to even attempt this: 

Best Goal ever!!(Dennis Bergkamp)

Yep definitely, an honest, modest and very decent hard working man was Bergkamp. Not just one of the greatest players ever but the ultimate professional too. Henry aswell - has said that Liverpool would of been the only English club other than Arsenal he would have played for.

 Gordon Banks always played a blinder at Anfield and broke our hearts on many occasions.

Been said many times already, but Henry was a nightmare when he played against us. He could always score when there never looked like a chance was on.
Andy Cole was always dangerous too.

The Dinamo Tsblisi team that knocked us out the European Cup in about 1980 or 82 were pretty special.

There was a midfielder and a striker who were terrific - will need to get on google

The Dinamo Tsblisi team that knocked us out the European Cup in about 1980 or 82 were pretty special.

There was a midfielder and a striker who were terrific - will need to get on google

Scrap that - childhood memories! They thumped us in Georgia - I was 9 and cried when I heard the result.

Thierry Henry.

Special player with that aura only a superstar has. Love watching him.

Also Iker Casillas. That 4-0 would of been 10 if it weren't for him.

My Ol Man said he watched Johan Cruyff play in 66 for Ajax and he was ace...

Here's a link for those who may care to remember...

http://www.lfchistory.net/Opposition/Default.aspx

I got Cryff's autograph at that match.

(the only other one I ever got was Keegans)

Your dad was right he was class act.

Not really the most skilful but Drogba was always a c**t against us.

In terms of players who have been most skillfil against us, Henry is miles ahead of anyone. He's destroyed us at times.

I also go with Drogba. He always saved his best for us.

I still remeber the Barcelona game where they put about 45 passes together before Kluivert scored. He was boss that game, even got a standing ovation from our fans when he went off I seem to recall...

Gordon Banks always played a blinder at Anfield and broke our hearts on many occasions.

as did Shilton !

A recent one for me has to be Di Natale.

I still remeber the Barcelona game where they put about 45 passes together before Kluivert scored. He was boss that game, even got a standing ovation from our fans when he went off I seem to recall...

I thought Overmars scored that goal? Absolutely loved him as a player and he would be my pick.

A recent one for me has to be Di Natale.

How could I forget?! Magical player. Easily one of my very favourite players in football. He was outstanding that night.

Not really the most skilful but Drogba was always a c**t against us.

In terms of players who have been most skillfil against us, Henry is miles ahead of anyone. He's destroyed us at times.

I would argue that these two were among the most effective against us in recent times, but not the most skillful in my own opinion.  Whilst Henry did have some decent skills, his game was more about blistering pace and pure finishing ability than it was about fancy dribbling, creative turns, no look passes, or other elements that come to mind when I think of "most skillful"

I personally think of players like Ronaldinho, Bergkamp, Aimar, Ronaldo (both of them), Zidane, Figo, etc when I think skillful players.  That is not discounting the ability of the likes of Henry, Drogba, Di Natale, etc.  I am simply putting them into a different bracket altogether

Franz Beckenbauer was always one of my favourite foreign players, but he hardly dazzled at Anfield when I saw him, as Bayern lost 3-0 to an Alun Evans hatrick.

Henry as many have mentioned tore Liverpool (Carra) apart on a few occasions. Best and Charlton could be added to that list too as I watched them beat us 4-1. Shanks said Floran Albert was one of his favourite players, but he did nothing much when I saw him.

I think Cruyff would be as good as any although I never saw him "live".

might be a bit long ago but George Best was incredible especially when you think he was drunk most of the time.

Bayern lost 3-0 to an Alun Evans hatrick.

Alun Evans was the first £100k teenager.we did spend big on young players then too and he didn't last too long either.

Alun Evans was the first £100k teenager.we did spend big on young players then too and he didn't last too long either.

To be fair to him, I don't think he ever really recovered fully after he was "glassed". Although the hatrick against Bayern was after that incident.

Sorry to ignore the thread. But nobody played better than Johnny Barnes in his pomp, he was unreal.

If I had to I would say that little Valencia player for Rafa who tore us to shreds one night, Aimar was it?

Sorry to ignore the thread. But nobody played better than Johnny Barnes in his pomp, he was unreal.

If I had to I would say that little Valencia player for Rafa who tore us to shreds one night, Aimar was it?

Yes, beast of a player!!  He is the player Messi idolized growing up, and he is the player I think Coutinho's game is most similar to.  Absolute joy of a player to watch!!

To be fair to him, I don't think he ever really recovered fully after he was "glassed". Although the hatrick against Bayern was after that incident.

Remember that and that was some bad scar he carried, good looking lad as well.
It was weird the way his touch seemed to desert him after the glassing.
On the subject of opposing players it's got to be George Best, pissed he may have been but he left the defence for dead.

If I had to I would say that little Valencia player for Rafa who tore us to shreds one night, Aimar was it?

Pablo Aimar...scored in their 2-0 win at The Mestalla stadium in 2002 under Rafa...He moved to Benfica and played in our 4-1 demolition at Anfield in 2010..

Thierry Henry and Gianfranco Zola by far IMO, they tore us apart repeatedly and was a nightmare for our defence all game.

Remember that and that was some bad scar he carried, good looking lad as well.It was weird the way his touch seemed to desert him after the glassing.

May have been something to do with his personal life too mate.

When Evans first signed for Liverpool Shankly decided he needed building up, so Shanks told Evans landlady to give him a big steak every night. A few months later Evans came and told Shankly that he had got a young lady "in trouble". After Evans had left Shanks turned to Bob Paisley and said "we have created a monster Bob!"   

No such thing as skillful opposition players, just our players being sh*t and letting them play well. 

he was marked out of the game by Arbeloa, legally as well not like he does at rm

Yep, few grumbles when Rafa played our RB Arbeloa at LB but doing so annulled Messi and his cutting in with our DM (Lucas was it) doubling up when he did cut in.

Yep, few grumbles when Rafa played our RB Arbeloa at LB but doing so annulled Messi and his cutting in with our DM (Lucas was it) doubling up when he did cut in.

Lucas didn't even play for us then I don't think, this was 2006-07 season wasn't it? Lucas joined us in the summer at the end of the season. But yes, Arbeloa had Messi in his poclet all game with ease!

Howard Webb, always gets away with it.

Lewis Dunk.

Who else can score a goal as good as this and not be considered the most skillful player to grace Anfield?

Liverpool 6-1 Brighton - Official Highlights and Goals | FA Cup 5th Round 19-02-12

I suppose Liam Bridcutt could be considered one of the best opposition poachers judging by his finishes in the same game.

Gotta admit though, this is possibly as good skillful as Dunk's.

Take a bow Mr John Pantsil

Liverpool - Fulham - goal

And since 3 is the magic number, let's have a third of pure skill.

What a finish this is from, ex bitter, Joleon Lescott

Lescott own Goal vs Liverpool

 I suppose we should include Gary Sprake for scoring a goal at the Kop end for Liverpool,I will add he did this single handed and the applause he got from the Kop was deafening.

Henry and rivaldo

I suppose we should include Gary Sprake for scoring a goal at the Kop end for Liverpool,I will add he did this single handed and the applause he got from the Kop was deafening.

you would have to include grandma West then he was skilled at picking up the coins we threw at him which today would get you thrown out but then it was taken with good humour.what ever happened to that

you would have to include grandma West then he was skilled at picking up the coins we threw at him which today would get you thrown out but then it was taken with good humour.what ever happened to that

what coin throwing or good humour ?

Anyone remember Aleksandr Mostovoi for Celta Vigo?!

I remember him tearing us apart. He was on another level.

Lucas didn't even play for us then I don't think, this was 2006-07 season wasn't it? Lucas joined us in the summer at the end of the season. But yes, Arbeloa had Messi in his poclet all game with ease!

It was Momo who played wasn't it?

It was Momo who played wasn't it?

I think so yeah. If not maybe Didi Hamman or did he leave the previous summer after our Champions League win?

Best players i've seen against Liverpool at home were ;

Rivaldo
Henry
Modric
Arshavin Got 4 at anfield
Julio Baptista (what happened to him?) Got 4 at anfield

Best away there's been loads
Berkamp. Highbury
Henry. (again) Emirates & Highbury
Modric. (again) WHL
Cantona. (wembley)
Andy Cole (St James) Coldest night of my life hat trick

Had another word with my ol'man again after a few tins saturday night and the names ;
Liam Brady(Arsenal)...say no more..scored in a 3-1 win at Anfield with Alan Ball getting the other 2
John Robertson(Derby & Notts Forest)..great winger who got loads of stick but played really well..He scored the pen in the 78 League Cup Final replay at Old Trafford..Jesus, i'd completely forgot about that Final...McDermott had two goals disallowed as well..
and a certain Michael Robinson who we signed shortly after playin a blinder for Brighton at Anfield with Jimmy Case knocking us out of the FA cup..first Sunday game at Anfield apparently..and I never realised Jimmy Melia was their manager at the time..
You can't beat a good chin wag and a Pint with a wise old Red...

Not sure about individual players but I have never seen us put away as easily as Valencia did those years ago. Aimar was instrumental

It was Momo who played wasn't it?

It was Momo.
I was gutted for the lad when Mascherano got the nod ahead of him for the final.
Obviously not knowing how boss the monster was going to be.