Liverpool's worst signings ever: 20-16

19. Neil Ruddock

Graeme Souness bought Ruddock in 1993 for £2.5 million. The former Spurs man was Souness´ type of character; brash, tough and strong in the challenge, the Scot clearly hadn´t reckoned on Ruddock´s potential for off field self-destruction.

In fact, Ruddock was to frequently wreak destruction on many of those who got in his way during his Liverpool career. Soon after his arrival at Anfield, he fractured the cheekbone of club legend, Peter Beardsley. There was also his infamous tackle on Andy Cole-in a reserve game- which left the Manchester United striker with two broken legs. Add to that his brawl with Robbie Fowler-which left the young forward with a broken nose-and you have a picture of a man who was slowly losing control in a dressing room desperately in need of mature characters.

There will be many a fan that will find Ruddock´s antics endearing or memorable, but the fact remains that his all-round approach and lack of professionalism was an indicative attitude in a squad of players that promised so much, yet delivered so little.

The young Manchester United squad that beat Liverpool and Newcastle to the title in 1995/96 went on to define football for a generation. Liverpool´s array of rising young stars are remembered simply as “The Spice Boys”.

While Ruddock can hardly be blamed for all of that, his career after football has involved dining out on the tales of misbehavior and indiscipline that festered throughout the club during a period which held great promise. Ruddock´s Anfield career owes much to the willingness of former manager Roy Evans to turn a blind eye to his various indiscretions. It is difficult to imagine his rival up the road in Manchester ever being so indulgent. History, eventually would write its own judgment on the two approaches.