Liverpool are one of the most successful clubs in English football history with 19 top-flight titles to their name and six European Cups... but should a greatest-ever Kop XI include Mohamed Salah?
The Reds' have lifted 66 major trophies throughout their long and glittering history and their Egyptian King was front and centre for their most recent Premier League and Champions League exploits. Indeed, his goalscoring exploits have made him a bona-fide club legend.
But there have been no shortage of iconic players to don the red shirt throughout the club's history. Liverpool can boast former Ballon d’Or winners, World Cup champions and a vast array of Champions League and European Cup medal holders. Supporters of the club would certainly find it difficult to narrow it down to an all-time Liverpool XI.
So too, it seems, does Artificial Intelligence. Because Mirror Sport asked ChatGPT to suggest its all-time Reds’ starting XI and it certainly made some interesting selections - with Salah's absence arguably the most notable.
Starting in goal, the Reds have had some talented stoppers between the sticks including former England star David James and Bruce Grobelaar. There was only going to be one choice though
Iconic Liverpool stopper Ray Clemence made over 650 appearances for the club during a hugely successful 14-year spell. In that time, he won five league titles, three European Cups and much more.
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Moving into defence and it is no shock to see a couple of Clemence’s teammates included. Left-back Phil Neal also topped 650 outings for the Merseyside outfit and also boasts a vast array of trophies from his time with the club with the Reds having dominated the domestic and European scene during his time at the club.
Ex-Scotland star Alan Hansen also claims his place at the heart of defence as Liverpool’s trophy-laden period extended well into the 1980s. He spent 13 seasons with the club and is assured of his place as an Anfield great.
Whilst players from Liverpool’s Halcyon era are well deserving of their spot, there is still space in defence for a couple of more modern options. Academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold has done enough to secure his spot in the AI XI.
The England defender has impressed with his creative abilities from right-back having been one of the standout players in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp. He is joined by current teammate Virgil van Dijk.
There were initially doubts in some quarters regarding the £75m fee that took him to Anfield but the Dutchman has proved he is certainly worth that with his assured and impressive performances since.
Moving into midfield, the Reds’ all-time XI only serves to look even more talented. Whilst he did not win either of his two Ballon d’Ors with the Reds, Kevin Keegan arguably goes down as one of the most iconic players in Anfield history.
John Barnes claims a role on the other flank following a highly-impressive ten-year spell with the club. The former England star arrived from Watford in 1987 and helped Liverpool to two league titles, two FA Cups and the League Cup.
The duo at the heart of midfield is one that will get Reds’ fans dreaming. Tough-tackling Graham Souness deservedly claims a role having played a key role in five league titles, as well as three successful tilts for the European Cup.
He is joined by iconic Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. The midfielder scored 186 goals in all for the Reds and despite not claiming a league title with the club, will go down as one of the most memorable players in club history.
Speaking of goals, the Reds’ AI XI’s front two boast 518 strikes between them. Kenny Dalglish netted 172 of those after joining the club from Celtic.
Those goals helped the club to six league titles and three European Cups, whilst the Scot also had two spells in charge of the club as a manager. The final inclusion is quite clearly the Reds’ all-time top goalscorer Ian Rush.
The former Welsh international racked up 346 goals to his name at Anfield either side of a spell with Juventus. It is no surprise then to learn that he claimed 20 trophies during his time as a Liverpool player.
Whilst that is a stunning XI all-told, there are also some iconic former Reds missing including the likes of Jamie Carragher, Emlyn Hughes, Phil Thompson and even record appearance maker Ian Callaghan.... not to mention the club's current goalscoring superstar.
Liverpool XI selected in full by the AI: Clemence, Alexander-Arnold, Hansen, Van Dijk, Neal; Keegan, Gerrard, Souness, Barnes; Dalglish, Rush.
