As Steven Gerrard prepares to play his last game for Liverpool, Richard Jolly picks five other home-grown Anfield heroes.
Ian Callaghan (1960-78)
He was the man who straddled eras, from Bill Shankly to Bob Paisley. He debuted in the old Division Two and played in the 1977 European Cup final win. The winger turned midfielder, who was booked once in his career, made 857 appearances for Liverpool, a record that may never be broken.
Jamie Carragher (1996-2013)
Second in the all-time standings with 737 games, Carragher was Gerrard’s vice captain, friend and ally. Like the midfielder, he is indelibly associated with the 2005 Uefa Champions League triumph, when the centre-back was outstanding against Chelsea in the semi-finals and AC Milan in the final.
Tommy Smith (1960-78)
In an era when every team had a resident hard man, Smith was Liverpool’s. Yet toughness alone did not account for the longevity that enabled him to play 638 games during 18 seasons. A defender or midfielder, Smith scored his final goal for Liverpool in the 1977 European Cup final, the first of their five successes.
Chris Lawler (1960-75)
A third stalwart of Shankly’s great side of the 1960s, right-back Lawler made 549 appearances. Astonishingly, he, Callaghan and Smith, who made more than 2,000 appearances for successful Liverpool teams, won nine England caps among them.
Robbie Fowler (1993-2001, 2006-07)
Nicknamed “God” on the red half of Merseyside, Fowler was a natural finisher who peaked early. He scored 30 goals in three straight seasons before turning 22. His 183 goals for Liverpool was overhauled by Gerrard this month.
Richard Jolly: Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's last 20th century player, stood out as if from a different era
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