By Jimmy Johnson

Liverpool are one of the most passionately-supported football clubs in the world. It should come as no surprise, then, that the Liverpool captain’s armband carries an almighty level of prestige with it. 

In today’s list, we’ll take a look at ten of the greatest leaders the Reds have ever had - from Premier League dominance to Champions League triumphs, Liverpool’s glittering array of captains have done it all.

10. Phil Thompson

Younger readers may recognise Phil Thompson for his long-standing tenure as a pundit on Soccer Saturday, but veterans of the Kop will know him for his dogged defensive abilities during the 70s and early 80s.

Thompson held the captaincy for two seasons, between 1979 and 1981. Notably, Thompson played as captain during the Reds’ winning effort in the 1981 European Cup final against Real Madrid.

9. Tommy Smith

Another gritty, rough-around-the-edges defender, Tommy Smith was not someone attackers wanted to play against - making him an ideal candidate for the armband. He drove fear into his opponents and commanded respect from his teammates. 

Smith made a total of 467 league appearances for Liverpool, holding down the captaincy from 1970 to 1973, before he reluctantly relinquished the armband for Emelyn Hughes. 

8. Virgil van Dijk 

Previously, Virgil van Dijk’s placement on this list would have been a no-brainer - he is one of just two Liverpool captains to lead their team to a league title in the Premier League era. This aside, his recent performances have soured opinion on the Dutchman somewhat. 

Liverpool have endured a tough start to the 2025/26 season and Van Dijk has been absorbing a lot of criticism - but his past achievements as captain shouldn’t be so readily forgotten.

7. Alex Raisbeck 

By far the oldest player on our list, Alex Raisbeck captained Liverpool between the years of 1900 and 1909, effectively spearheading their first golden era.

He was captain when the Reds won their first ever league title in 1901 - as such, Raisbeck is forever woven into the rich tapestry of Liverpool history.

6.  Jordan Henderson

No one ever thought Jordan Henderson would achieve what he did. After a steady first few years at Anfield, the former Sunderland man burst into life under Jurgen Klopp.

Henderson is one of Liverpool’s longest-serving captains, having worn the armband from 2015 to 2023. His most notable achievement was when the Reds won the Champions League in 2019 - though his 2020 Premier League title win comes very close. 

5. Graeme Souness

Some may have expected Graeme Souness to land a spot further up on this list, but it’s important to remember how short his tenure as captain was - he only held the armband from 1982 to 1984.

Nevertheless, Souness is a bonafide icon at Anfield. One of the greatest midfielders of all time, he won two First Division titles and the European Cup as captain of Liverpool.

4. Alan Hansen

Alan Hansen was the prototype for the modern defender. Instinctively, he was excellent, but his true strength lay in his technical ability. Ball-playing defenders were very uncommon in Hansen’s day - in many ways, he set the mould. 

Hansen held the armband on two occasions - from 1985-1988 and 1989 to 1990.

3. Steven Gerrard

For many, Steven Gerrard would understandably be the number one pick in a list such as this - but his lack of a Premier League title is a noticeable gap on his resume that we cannot overlook. 

One of the most competitive midfielders to have ever lived, he was also a deeply inspirational leader on the pitch. In 2005, he guided the Reds to Champions League glory after being 3-0 down against AC Milan at half time in one of the most memorable moments in football history.

2. Ron Yeats 

Ron Yeats held the Liverpool captaincy for almost his entire tenure at the club - he was also captain for the majority of the Bill Shankly era. 

He led the club to one of its greatest periods of success after dragging them out of the second tier, winning two First Division titles and the FA Cup in 1965.

1. Emelyn Hughes 

Ron Yeats might have held the captaincy for longer, but Emelyn Hughes’ time with the armband oversaw a period where Liverpool were indisputably the strongest club in world football. 

The legend known as ‘Crazy Horse’ won no end of trophies during his time as Liverpool captain, including four First Division titles, two European Cups and two UEFA Cups.