Who are the best free kick takers in Liverpool history and why? Here, we rank our top 10.
The anticipation, the silence around the stadium, the noise as the ball is hit and the chaos as it flies into the net.
Is there a better way to score a goal than to do it from a free kick? Possibly not.
Over the years, as Liverpool fans, we have conceded some truly memorable free-kicks.
Various dead ball specialists have graced the red jersey, players you just know have every chance to score as soon as they step forward.
Here, we rank our top 10 Liverpool free kick takers of all time.
10. Tommy Smith
As it is, Smith has taken the third most free kicks (6) of any player in Liverpool history – not bad for a cross!
The former Reds captain earned the nickname ‘Anfield Iron’ due to his uncompromising style as a defender for his hometown club.
But when it came to free kicks, he was always a threat, just as he was from the penalty spot, where he scored 22 goals in his 15 years at the club.
9. Danny Murphy
When you think of Murphy and free kicks, you think of the one he took at Old Trafford in December 2000.
That was one of four he scored for the Reds, with the others coming against Birmingham and Aston Villa in 2002, and Leeds in 2003.
For Murphy, free throws were less about power and more about placement and accuracy.
“Murphy was fine. Ask the United fans!”
– @thejackal198 on Twitter
8. Gary McAllister
We will never forget that Gary Mac free kick at Everton.
But it’s worth nothing that he then scored two more in the next three weeks!
Seriously, though, that Goodison effort never gets old, does it?
7. Case Jimmy
Case made four free throws in the space of just over two years for the Reds, at a time when footballs were admittedly heavier and less streamlined than they are now.
A hard-tackling midfielder, Case became known for his powerful shot, something he was able to use to his advantage in dead-ball situations.
“Jimmy Case, you’d be banged up!”
– @dwom67 on Twitter
6. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold has taken four free kicks for Liverpool to date, with the record set at 10. There’s every chance he’ll eventually eclipse that.
A right back with fantastic technical ability, Trent is a threat from both indirect and direct free kicks.
The right foot of dreams.
5. Felipe Coutinho
Brazilian Coutinho scored five free kicks for Liverpool, all of them in his last two years with the club, before joining Barcelona.
Having played alongside Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez for a number of years, the ‘little wizard’ often found it difficult to see set-pieces.
But when he was allowed to step up, he was a huge threat, with his long ranger at Arsenal probably the pick of the bunch.
4. Fabio Aurelio
Had Aurelio avoided some of the horrific injuries that marred much of his Liverpool career, he probably would have taken more free kicks than the three he managed in 2009.
His most memorable effort came in an impressive 4-1 victory at Old Trafford that year, beautifully beating Edwin van der Sar in the second half.
His clever strike against Chelsea a month later was just as impressive. what a lefty
“Aurelio’s technique was incredible!”
– Clinton Liem on Facebook
3. Steven Gerard
Gerrard is the player who has scored the most free kicks (10) in Liverpool history.
The first came in a 5-0 win at West Brom in 2004. His last victory at Villa Park in 2007 and his efforts against Man United in 2010 and 2011 also come to mind.
Stevie stepped up when it mattered.
“Mr Reliable Free Throw”
– Colin J Dickson on Facebook
2. John Barnes
Barnes made five free throws in less than two years for the Reds between 1988 and 1990.
His delicious left-footed curler against Arsenal was arguably the best of the bunch.
“I loved that Barnes took them. Pure skill!”
– Pa Donnelly on Facebook
“At his best, a free kick near the box was as good as a pen.”
– @oilerpacker on Twitter
1. Luis Suarez
There was a stage in Luis Suarez’s career when you knew his free kicks ended up in the back of the net.
With eight free kick goals between August 2012 and January 2014, no one else in Liverpool history has been as consistent with direct dead-ball situations.
He scored five in the 2012/13 season alone, including two against Zenit in the Europa League. What a talent
“Suárez was a magician with the ball, he scored eight in an era of several players taking free kicks”.
– @deansnuggs on Twitter
