Irish Footballers that Played for Liverpool FC

The Irish relationship with the Liverpool Football Club stretches right back to the late 1800’s when the club built it’s stadium at Anfield Road.

The name Anfield came from the old townland Annefield in New Ross, County Wexford. This area of Stanley Park had been named by Wexford shipbuilder Robert Samuel Graves who lived in New Ross. Graves was the first Irishman to hold the mayoralty of an English city. In 1865, he was returned as MP for Liverpool and held the seat.

The first director of football at Liverpool was Monaghan man John McKenna and the first Liverpool manager after the First World War was Waterford born Davis Ashworth. The first Irish player to play for Liverpool FC was David Hannah from County Down and the first player from the Republic of Ireland to play for the Reds was Wexford’s Billy Lacey.

Green Reds that Succeeded

Irish footballers have featured in most of the great moments in the history of Liverpool FC. The great Elisha Scott from Belfast who played for Liverpool for more than 20 years, and made 468 appearances, helped the club some it’s earliest League titles. Billy Lacey from Wexford also played in these campaigns alongside Scott.

In four out of five of Liverpool’s European Cup triumphs Irish players played in the finals. Steve Heighway appeared in the first two victories in 1977 and 1978. Mark Lawrenson, Ronnie Whelan, and Mick Robinson took part in the 1984 European Cup final victory over Real Madrid. Steve Finnan from Limerick played in that unforgettable match in 2005 in Turkey when Liverpool pulled of the Miracle of Istanbul.

List of Northern Irish Footballers that Played for Liverpool FC

The following is a full list of Northern Irish players that have played for Liverpool FC. By far the greatest player from Northern Ireland was charismatic goalkeeper Elisha Scott who established himself as a true Red legend. He made 468 appearances for Liverpool FC but would surely have made many more but for a five year hiatus in his career caused by the intervention of the First World War. Great as he was Scott was not the only Northern Irishman to play for Liverpool FC. Read about them here.

List of Republic of Ireland Footballers that Played for Liverpool FC

The following is a full list of Republic of Ireland players that have played for Liverpool. Starting with Irish dual international, the great Billy Lacey from Wexford, right through to Ireland’s record goal scorer, Robbie Keane, Republic of Ireland footballers have made their mark at Anfield Road. Irish players have played a prominent part in Liverpool’s golden era that stretched form Bill Shankly through to Kenny Dalglish. Read about these Republic of Ireland Reds below.

Liverpool FC History – Liverpool Supporters Clubs