Origin: Germany Bought From: Newcastle United Bought By: Gérard Houllier Apps: 280 Honours: League Cup 2001 & 2003, FA Cup 2001 & 2006, UEFA Cup 2001, FA Community Shield 2001, UEFA Super Cup 2001 & 2005, UEFA Champions League 2005 Hamann was one of Houllier's best signings and definitely one of Liverpool's great midfielders. He was very much the type of player every team needs because he could do everything. He could shoot spectacularly, tackle, track back, mark, pass, head and he commanded a huge presence on the pitch. Some of his goals were out of this world, such as his free kick against Bayer Leverkusen during the round of 16 tie of 2005. He was of course part of the fabled Houllier team that completed the cup treble in 2001 - making a huge contribution along the way with 53 games in that one season. "Didi's" greatest achievement was of course Istanbul, like others on this list. He was perhaps the catalyst to the greatest comeback of all time. Coming on at half time for Steve Finnan (despite nursing a broken toe) he changed the game completely, allowing Gerrard to be free of his shackles and do what he does best. Of course, Gerrard scored Liverpool's opening goal and probably wouldn't have been in that position if it had not been for Didi anchoring the midfield and protecting the defence. When the game went to penalties Hamann stepped up and casually converted his spot kick - in a very German style. He did the same 12 months later as Liverpool lifted the FA Cup - scoring LFC's first penalty in the shoot-out.
4. Luis Suárez
Origin: Uruguay Bought From: Ajax Bought By: Kenny Dalglish Apps: 90 (To date) Honours: League Cup 2012 El Pistolero's Liverpool honours list does not exactly warrant a place this high up on this list. Some of you may be of the opinion that a player who has played less than 100 games for Liverpool cannot be on this list, or at least not in the prestigious top five. I put it to you that he is actually one of Liverpool's most talented BPL players. This guy has everything: he is quick, agile, hard working, lethal, visionary, aggressive, passionate, tenacious and just generally amazing. Replacing Fernando Torres must have seemed a daunting task for the diminutive Uruguayan but he has performed the task exceptionally well. Arriving from Ajax in the January transfer window of 2011, Suárez immediately set about making the Reds faithful forget all about their fallen star, scoring on his debut at Anfield against the notoriously difficult to beat Stoke City. In his first half season in England, Luis scored 4 goals and assisted his team-mates 3 times in 13 appearances. In his first full season, Suárez won the League Cup and scored 17 goals with 11 coming in the league. He is now currently enjoying his best form in a Red shirt with a hugely impressive 28 goals to his name already. Luis is widely tipped to be a main contender for the Player of the Year Award along side star players such as Robin van Persie and Gareth Bale.
3. Xabi Alonso
Origin: Spain Bought From: Real Sociedad Bought By: Rafael Benitez Apps: 210 Honours: UEFA Champions League 2005, UEFA Super Cup 2005, FA Cup 2006, FA Community Shield 2006 One of the best pieces of business completed by Liverpool in recent times was acquiring the signature of the fantastic Xabi Alonso. One of the worst pieces of business completed by Liverpool in recent times was trying to replace him with the inferior Gareth Barry and subsequently unsettling the fantastic Xabi Alonso. Benitez got a lot of things right at Liverpool during his successful spell at the helm of the club but this was by far his biggest mistake. Okay, Xabi's form had dipped and injuries were now playing an annoying part in his career but it was still obvious he was top drawer and he did not need replacing. Xabi was (is) that good that Liverpool fans still pine for his return nearly four years later, myself included. It will probably never happen but we can all dream, right? Xabi was a huge hit on the Red half of Merseyside because of his amazing passing and shooting ability. He scored two consecutive goals from his own half (Luton Town 2005/06 & Newcastle United 2006/07) and was often involved in some of Liverpool's greatest comebacks including the Champions League Final of 2005 (in which he scored Liverpool's third goal) and the FA Cup Final of 2006. Possibly the most endearing quality that Alonso possesses is his love for Liverpool. Xabi often speaks of Liverpool with great affection; be it his old team-mates, the club, the fans, Anfield or the city. He genuinely loved his time in England and in the North West. He is a true gent on and off the park and will be forever sorely missed by the Kop.