Greatest XI of all time - Liverpool 

Full-backs - Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy

Phil Neal was an epitome of consistency for the Reds

Whenever there is a discussion for which player deserves a statue outside Anfield, Phil Neal is a name not many would expect. However, it does not take away from the fact that the Englishman was instrumental in the club's success and deservedly, is the most decorated player in Liverpool history.

Initially signed to play at left-back by Bob Paisley in his first season as manager back in 1974, Neal changed his gaffer's mind eventually and made the right-back spot his own. An astute reader of the game and making up for the lack of pace with game intelligence, the former Northampton Town full-back did not miss a single league game between 14 December 1974 and 24 September 1983, a club-record 365 consecutive games.

While Paisley's team boasted of stars with quite a few names in this list, Neal was the ever-reliable and ever-consistent player who made the team tick. However, he did have his moments of glory as he scored a penalty in the Reds' first ever European Cup victory against Borussia Monchengladbach in 1977 and again in the 1984 European Cup final against AS Roma.

Thus, Neal remains the only Liverpool player to play in all four European Cup wins in the 1970s and 1980s, which justify why France magazine, L'Equipe, rated him as the 6th greatest footballer in the history of the European Cup. Adding to his European glory, the Englishman won 8 league titles and 4 League Cups in a wonderful career at Anfield.

Alan Kennedy is the greatest-ever Liverpool left-back

Talking of statues and glory, how often do you see a defender put the ball in the back of the net to win a couple of European Cups? Not often and that is exactly what Alan Kennedy did, scoring the winner against Real Madrid in 1981 and dispatching the final spot-kick against AS Roma in their own backyard in 1984. His crucial goals in those European Cup victories are the highlights of a wonderful career and he deservedly fills the left-back spot in Liverpool's greatest XI.

The Englishman played for Newcastle United before Paisley snapped him up in 1978 to increase competition for places. A speedy full-back with a never-say-die attitude, Kennedy was the no.1 left-back at the club for most of his time until he left in 1986. During his time, he picked up 5 League winners' medals and 4 League Cups along with the two European Cups.

While Liverpool have seen a few decent left-backs since Kennedy's departure, the latter's attitude and contribution to the club's success trumps them all by a mile.