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After a 30-year drought for the Premier League trophy, Liverpool finally found themselves victorious under the captaincy of Jordan Henderson, clinching the 2019-2020 English Premier League title. This saw them win their first domestic league trophy since the 1989-90 first division title.
Wearing the captain's armband on the football pitch, not only denotes leadership, but also brings with it an amalgamation of unseen pressure and responsibility that might often go unnoticed by fans cheering a team at play.
Today we take a look at the top 5 Liverpool captains who guided the club through its prestigious history.
#5 Sami Hyypia (2001-2003)
One of the finest centre backs to don the famous red jersey, Sami Hyypia's consistent performances fetched him the title of one of Europe's top 10 defenders. He was handed the arm band after Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp and vice captain Robbie Folwer happened to miss major parts of their season in 2001.
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Hyypia proved to be a rock under the managerial stints of Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier, clinching the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and the League Cup in 2001. His other successes for the team were the 2001 Community Shield, the 2001 European Super Cup and the Carling Cup of 2003. Throughout his Liverpool career, he made a total of 464 appearances with 35 goals to his name.
He definitely deserves credit for his contribution to leading Liverpool to a historic treble. Sami Hyypia was replaced by Steven Gerard in 2003.
Trophies Won as captain:
UEFA Cup: 2001
League Cup: 2001
FA Cup: 2001
Community Shield: 2001
European Super Cup: 2001
Carling Cup: 2003
#4 Jordan Henderson (2015-present)
Jordan Henderson of Liverpool needs no introduction. Leading Liverpool to their 2019-2020 Premier League Title after 30 years, he has earned himself a spot on this list. Brought to Anfield as a young 21 year old from Sunderland in 2011, Henderson proved his mettle by making the most number of first-team appearances in his debut season.
The English midfielder fitted the title of captain like a glove and took to leadership well. His initial years of leadership saw a number of injuries in 2015, but it was the faith bestowed in him by the team that allowed him to get back on his feet and do justice to his armband.
His captaincy led him to clinch the Champions League for Liverpool in 2019, making him the first captain to do so after Steven Gerrard in 2005. He is also the first Liverpool captain to win the club FIFA World Cup. Such is his popularity with the current generation of esport gamers, that Fortnite decided to pay tribute to him by introducing his Hendo Shuffle celebration.
Trophies won as captain:
Premier League: 2019-20
UEFA Super Cup: 2019
FIFA Club World Cup: 2019
UEFA Champions League: 2019
#3 Ron Yeats (1961-1970)
Ron Yeats' rise to success is an inspirational one that coins him as a working class hero. Before his professional football stint in 1957 with Dundee United, this Scot was an employee at a slaughterhouse. He was brought to Anfield as a defender by then manager Bill Shankly.
He was bestowed with captaincy just 6 months into his Liverpool career. Under his captaincy, the Reds were led to a Second Division League Title in 1962. 1964 saw Liverpool as the Champions of England with their first Premier League Title in 17 years. They also went on to clinch it in 1966. In 1965, he led the Reds to their FA Cup win, again a first for the club.
When Liverpool played their first European match against Reykjavik FC in 1964, It was Yeats who captained them. He also has 3 FA Charity Shields to his name as captain of Liverpool. Popularly known as "Rowdy", Ron Yates made 464 appearances.
Trophies won as captain:
First Division League: 1964, 1966
Second Division League: 1962
FA Cup: 1965
FA Charity Shield: 1964, 1965, 1966
#2 Alan Hansen (1985-1990)
Clinching the third spot of Liverpool's finest captains, is defender Alan Hansen who arrived at Liverpool in 1977. A scot again, he was a pillar of strength for the Reds. It was Kenny Dalglish, player-manager of Liverpool who appointed Hansen as the captain in 1985. Alan Hansen was known as a positive and inspiring leader on the field.
It was under his leadership that Liverpool went on to win both the FA Cup and the Premier League in 1986. He also captained the club to their 1988 and 1990 First Division League titles, along with the FA Cup again in 1989.
Other victories include the Super Cup and FA Charity Shields. Alan Hansen was the last captain of Liverpool to have clinched the League title 30 years ago.
Trophies won as captain:
First Division League – 1986, 1988, 1990
FA Cup – 1986, 1989
Super Cup – 1986
FA Charity Shield – 1986, 1989
#1 Steven Gerrard (2003-2015)
The legendary Steven Gerrard deserves to placed at the number 1 spot without a doubt. An epitome of leadership, he stands out as a class apart, having been the one to stand with his team during some of its toughest years.
Steven Gerrard marks his legacy in the history of Liverpool as the longest serving captain, adding 12 entire seasons to his name.
Making his professional debut in 1988 as an 18 year old, he was allowed to mature as a player for the team, eventually being handed captaincy in 2003, replacing Sami Hyypia.
Although, he does not have too many trophies to his name during his time as captain, in 2005, he was successful in leading the club almost single-handedly to its fifth Champions League trophy win in 2005. 2006 saw him clinch the FA Cup.
Steven Gerrard does not top the charts in terms of trophy wins but he undoubtedly goes down in history for being one of the greatest captains the sport has ever seen.
Trophies won as captain:
UEFA Champions League – 2005
FA Cup – 2006
FA Community Shield - 2006
