The official Liverpool all-time top 100 players poll is being revealed in reverse order, with the 21st player being Phil Thompson.
Earlier this year, Liverpool Football Club invited fans, former players, journalists, and a club judging panel to vote and collectively determine the final ranking of the "Liverpool All-Time Top 100 Players" up to 2026.
The selection criteria were based on the players' individual abilities, influence, historical significance, and achievements during their time at Liverpool.
This reverse order list will culminate in a special live broadcast in early July, where the top five players and the ultimate winner of the "Greatest Liverpool Player of All Time" title will be revealed.
Liverpool's All-Time Top 100 Players:
No. 100 - No. 91: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Luis García, Jack Cox, Bobby Robinson, Lallana, Lucas Leiva, Curtis Jones, Dick Forshaw, Danny Murphy
No. 90 - No. 81: David Johnson, Jack Parkinson, Sam Raybould, Coutinho, Dudek, Phil Taylor, Gerry Byrne, Smicer, Matt Busby, Kuyt
No. 80 - No. 71: Ray Houghton, Sturridge, Tommy Lawrence, Ronnie Moran, Luis Díaz, Alan A'Court, Hamann, Tom Bromilow, Matip, Heskey
No. 70 - No. 61: Stabbins, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Fairclough, Gomez, Aldridge, Reyna, Riise, Peter Thompson, Johnston
No. 60 - No. 51: Longworth, Sammy Lee, Bob Paisley, Jota, Jamie Redknapp, Origi, Alonso, Beardsley, McKinlay, Balmer
No. 50 - No. 41: Toshack, Jimmy Case, Milner, Raisbeck, McMahon, Lawler, Torres, Mølby, Grobbelaar, Nicol
No. 40 - No. 31: Harry Chambers, Alan Kennedy, McManaman, Tommy Smith, Ray Kennedy, Mark Lawrenson, McDermott, Ronnie Whelan, Elisha Scott, Gordon Hodgson
No. 30 - No. 21: Steve Heighway, Hyypiä, TAA, Ron Yeats, Robertson, Henderson, Michael Owen, Carragher, Firmino
Liverpool All-Time Top 100 Players No. 21: Phil Thompson
Years Active: 1972–1983
Appearances: 477
Goals: 13
Honours: English First Division (1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83), UEFA Cup (1973, 1976), FA Cup (1974), European Cup (1977, 1978, 1981), UEFA Super Cup (1977), League Cup (1981, 1982)
As a Liverpool native, Phil Thompson won nearly every honour imaginable with the club he had supported since childhood, yet he never forgot his roots.
The elegant defender captained the Reds to the European Cup in 1981, and after the triumph, he famously took the trophy back to his local pub, The Falcon, in Kirkby for celebrations.
Thompson served the club as a player for over a decade and is deservedly recognised as one of the club's greatest players in its history.
Bob Paisley once said: "I think Phil was one of the best examples of a professional footballer. His greatest strength as a player was his ability to read the game – something he demonstrated even as a teenager."
"His physical attributes were not the most outstanding for a defender, but his football intelligence was excellent."
In April 1972, under the watchful eye of Bill Shankly, the 18-year-old Thompson made his first-team debut against Manchester United as a midfielder.
He later gradually moved into defence, forming centre-back partnerships with Emlyn Hughes and then Alan Hansen, becoming the defensive foundation of that dominant team.
He delivered an outstanding performance in the 1974 FA Cup final, where Liverpool defeated Newcastle United 3-0 at Wembley, winning the club's second FA Cup.
Thompson missed only one game during the 1975–76 league-winning season and scored in the UEFA Cup semi-final against Barcelona, ultimately helping the team lift the UEFA Cup that season.
He missed the latter part of the 1977 European Cup campaign due to injury, but returned to the starting lineup a year later, helping the team successfully defend their title.
In the 1978–79 league-winning season, he was part of a record-breaking defence that conceded only 16 goals in 42 league games.
During this period, he also helped establish Liverpool's iconic playing style: building attacks from the back and dominating matches through possession.
He recalled: "We would constantly probe and pass. Back then, we played for the joy of possession, always aiming to keep the ball."
"This philosophy defined Liverpool's style. We won many trophies, and opponents often couldn't get the ball for extended periods."
In April 1979, he was appointed captain. In the years that followed, he continued to win honours for the team, including Liverpool's first League Cup in 1981.
A month later that same year, Liverpool defeated Real Madrid in the European Cup final in Paris, with Thompson further cementing his legendary status at Anfield by lifting the "Big Ears" trophy.
He was only the second Liverpool captain to lift that trophy, and one of only five to have done so to date.
Thompson subsequently won two more English First Division titles before joining Sheffield United in 1984, bringing an end to his playing career at Liverpool.
AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com