Liverpool fans have endured a tough week in the Football Transfer Tavern, with bitter rivals Manchester United having earned the bragging rights following last weekend’s impressive 2-1 win at Anfield.
The result leaves Brendan Rodgers side five points off the race for fourth spot, and their disappointment was further compounded this week with the news that Daniel Sturridge is set to face another month on the sidelines – this time with a hip injury.
The striker has already missed five months of the season through various injuries, and it certainly played it’s part in the Reds dismal start to the 2014-15 campaign.
Prior to Sunday’s defeat at Anfield, Liverpool were the form side in the country and the only Premier League team unbeaten in 2015.
There have been plenty of signs Brendan Rodgers men are on the right path to success, but how many of the current crop would make it into the Reds best team of the 21st century?
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Click on the Kop to reveal the best Liverpool XI of the 21st Century
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Pepe Reina
Jerzy Dudek may well have been the hero of the Reds Champions League success in 2005, but that didn’t prevent Rafael Benitez splashing £6million on a new goalkeeper the same summer.
That goalkeeper was Spaniard Pepe Reina, who would go on to serve nine years at Anfield.
Reina was a part of a Liverpool defence that had the best record for clean sheets three years running, whilst he also saved three penalties in the 2006 FA Cup final.
Reina was also a key member of the side that finished Champions League runners up in 2007 (with penalty saves against Chelsea in the semi final this time) and Premier League runners up in 2008-09, whilst he also claimed a League Cup winners medal during his time at Anfield.
Steve Finnan
The Irishman was Liverpool’s very own Mr. Consistency for five years at Anfield.
Having signed in the summer of 2003, Finnan went about the business of establishing himself at Anfield quietly, and would go on to enjoy major success as Liverpool’s first choice full back.
A player who started his career at the lowest level of the English game, Finnan was a key part of a Liverpool side that made it to two Champions League finals in three years – one of which he won in 2005 – whilst also winning the FA Cup in 2006.
Jamie Carragher
The local defender will be forever remembered as a legend at Anfield, for his never-say-die attitude and leadership qualities on the pitch.
Certainly not the quickest, Carragher was an excellent reader of the game and a proper old school defender.
He won nine honours over the course of his Liverpool career before retiring in 2005, and was the main man at the back during famous European victories over giants such as Juventus, Chelsea (twice), Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid during his time at Anfield, whilst nobody will forget his defensive heroics in extra time against AC Milan in that historic Champions League final in 2005.
Sami Hyppia
The Finnish defender will be remembered as one of the best bargains of Liverpool’s history.
Signed for just £2.3million in the summer of 1999, Sami Hyppia would go on to establish himself as one of the best defenders of the Premier League era.
He left Anfield with eight major honours to his name, playing a key role in the cup treble success of 2001, as well as the heroics of 2005.
Hyppia also popped up with some vital goals, especially on the European stage – he had three strikes in Champions League quarter finals to his name, including a memorable volley against Juventus at Anfield on their way to success in the competition that season.
John Arne Riise
The Norwegian arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2001, and would go on to make a name for himself immediately with superb goals against Everton and Manchester United in the opening weeks of the season.
That became something of Riise’s forte during his time at Anfield, with no shortage of picture book goals during his Liverpool career.
He left the club in 2008 having won the League Cup in 2003, the Champions League in 2005, and the FA Cup in 2006, as well as being a part of the side that reached the CL final again in 2007, with the left back spot very much his own under Rafael Benitez.
Dirk Kuyt
Originally signed as a striker in the summer of 2006, the Dutchman would go on to make the right wing position his own during a six year Liverpool career.
Kuyt will be remembered as the man for the big occasion at Anfield, with crucial Champions League goals against the likes of Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Arsenal, as well as a strike in the League Cup final in 2012 – in what would prove to be his final season and only piece of silverware.
Kuyt came close to Champions League success in 2007 and Premier League glory in 2009, finishing as a runner up on both occasions.
But he ensured he won a place in the heart of every Liverpool fan for his unbelievable work-rate and desire, no shortage of winners in Merseyside derbies, and of course a hat-trick against Manchester United in 2011.
Xabi Alonso
The Spaniard will be remembered as one of the best passing midfielders the Premier League has ever seen.
The signing of Xabi Alonso in the summer of 2004 took Liverpool to a new level. His midfield partnership with Steven Gerrard is still missed at Anfield to this day, with Alonso playing as big a part as anyone in the successful Benitez era.
He will be remembered mostly for his equalising goal in the 2005 Champions League final, as well as some majestic performances on the European stage.
And of course, who could forget his strikes from inside his own half against both Luton and Newcastle?
Steven Gerrard
When Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool career ends in May, there will be no shortage of tears amongst the Anfield faithful.
The Reds captain and talisman has gone above and beyond the call of duty during his 16-year-career, and has produced arguably more ‘Roy of the Rovers’ moments than anyone else in the game.
Think of his strike against Olympiakos, the historic Istanbul final in 2005, and the ‘Gerrard final’ against West Ham in 2006, and a combined total of 19 goals against bitter rivals Everton and Manchester United.
Add to this the fact he is the only player to score goals in a UEFA, League, FA, and Champions League final, and Gerrard will be forever remembered as an Anfield legend.
Luis Garcia
The little Spaniard is still sung about to this day at Anfield, with it being argued that nobody did more for their 2005 Champions League success than he.
Garcia scored five goals on the route to success in the competition that season, including a wonder strike against Juventus, and the infamous ‘ghost goal’ to beat Chelsea in the semi final.
He also scored a wonderful volley against the same opposition a year later in another semi final, as Liverpool went on to win the 2006 FA Cup, with Garcia confirming his place amongst Reds cult heroes in the process.
Fernando Torres
Whilst the Spaniard’s £50million move to Chelsea in January 2011 left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Liverpool fans, it cannot be argued his spell at Anfield saw him become one of the greatest strikers in world football.
Torres did not win any medals during his Liverpool career, but his goals almost fired the club to Premier League and Champions League glory.
His partnership with Steven Gerrard was particularly special, as Liverpool thrilled many with some superb attacking displays under Rafael Benitez, with Torres the main factor.
He left Liverpool with a record of 81 goals in 142 games, and it is fair to say he was never the same player.
Luis Suarez
Whilst Luis Suarez was no stranger to controversy, his signing will be considered one of the best pieces of business of the Premier League era.
The Uruguayan was simply unplayable at times, and there is not a Liverpool fan who does not mourn his £75million sale to Barcelona still.
He left Liverpool with 82 goals to his name, and was so unfortunate not to guide them to a first Premier League title last term having fired 30 goals.
Liverpool fans are preparing to give he and some the others in this list a proper send off when the club hold’s a Gerrard vs Carragher charity game at Anfield tomorrow, with Suarez and Torres set to partner each other up top as the Reds had hoped they would when he signed in 2011.