Chris Lawler Ranked 45th in Liverpool's All-Time Top 100 Players—Club's Highest-Scoring Defender

Liverpool's official countdown of the club's top 100 players in history is underway, with Chris Lawler ranked at number 45.

Earlier this year, Liverpool FC invited fans, former players, journalists, and a club judging panel to vote and determine the final ranking of the "Liverpool's Top 100 Players in History" list through 2026.

The selection criteria are based on each player's individual ability, influence, historical significance, and achievements during their time at Liverpool.

This reverse-order countdown will culminate in a special live broadcast program in early July, where the top five players and the ultimate winner of the "Liverpool's Greatest Player of All Time" title will be revealed.

Liverpool's Top 100 Players in History:

100th–91st: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Luis García, Jack Cox, Bobby Robinson, Lallana, Lucas Leiva, Curtis Jones, Dick Forshaw, Danny Murphy

90th–81st: David Johnson, Jack Parkinson, Sam Raybould, Coutinho, Dudek, Phil Taylor, Gerry Byrne, Smicer, Steve McManaman, Kuyt

80th–71st: Ray Houghton, Sturridge, Tommy Lawrence, Ronnie Moran, Luis Díaz, Alan A'Court, Hamann, Tom Bromilow, Matip, Heskey

70th–61st: Stubbins, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Fairclough, Gomez, Aldridge, Reyna, Riise, Peter Thompson, Johnston

60th–51st: Longworth, Sammy Lee, Bob Paisley, Jota, Jamie Redknapp, Origi, Alonso, Beardsley, McKinlay, Balmer

50th–41st: Toshack, Jimmy Case, Milner, Raisbeck, McMahon

Liverpool's Top 100 Players in History: 45th – Chris Lawler

Years Active: 1963–1975

Appearances: 549

Goals: 61

Honours: First Division Champion (1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73), FA Cup Winner (1965, 1974), UEFA Cup Winner (1973)

Chris Lawler is Liverpool's highest-scoring defender in history and one of only 13 players in the club's history to make 500 appearances.

His story exemplifies a local talent developing into a great player.

Lawler progressed through Liverpool's youth academy and made his first-team debut in 1963. He went on to make 549 appearances for the club during his career.

After establishing himself as the first-choice right-back, the Liverpool native—who could also play centre-back—became an almost indispensable part of the team. Between 1965 and 1973, he missed only three league matches.

Known as the "Silent Knight" for his calm and composed demeanor, Lawler possessed, according to Bob Paisley, "the brain of a striker."

His career total of 61 goals is not only a club record for a defender but also remarkable, especially considering he was not the team's designated penalty or set-piece taker. Instead, he would quietly advance into the opposition box and capitalize on opportunities with a clinical finish.

In terms of honours, the full-back started in the 1965 FA Cup final, where Bill Shankly's Liverpool finally ended the club's long wait for a trophy in that competition.

Lawler won the First Division title in 1963–64, 1965–66, and 1972–73. In the 1972–73 season, he also won the UEFA Cup and played in all 66 of the team's matches.

A serious injury in November 1973 marked the beginning of the end for his storied Anfield career.

In 1974, he added another FA Cup winner's medal to his collection before leaving the club shortly after the start of the 1975–76 season.

Ron Yeats commented: "He was a very elegant player. Excellent at passing and strong in the air. He didn't engage in many fierce tackles—but that's because he didn't need to; his reading of the game was exceptional."