Breaking News: Liverpool former player announced dead today so sad

Sad news of a former Liverpool player’s death today

On Monday, Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary made history by becoming the oldest player to ever play in a World Cup final. This made headlines all over the world.

The Pharaohs goalie, who is 45 years and 161 days old, surpassed Colombia’s Faryd Mondragon, who was 43 years and 3 days old, and even turned back time to make an incredible penalty save.

Egypt lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia despite El-Hadary’s heroics and Mohamed Salah’s first goal, but the veteran’s antics lit up social media and made us consider the seasoned players that have graced the Anfield pitch over the years.

For some lighthearted fun, we’ve assembled an XI consisting of the oldest players to have ever played for the Reds in the Premier League.

Goalie

Paul Jones (36.247 days; 36 years old)

Ironically, goalie Paul Jones didn’t even play for Liverpool until he was thirty-six years old.

He only appeared in two games for the Reds after joining on loan from Southampton to provide backup for Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland, who were both injured.

When he kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa, he became LFC’s oldest post-war debutant at 36 years and 240 days. In his final match against Tottenham Hotspur, he also broke Bruce Grobbelaar’s record as the club’s most senior stopper by 138 days.

defenders

Sami Hyypia, aged 35 years and 229 days

When “Big Sami” played his final game of 464 for Anfield in May 2009, he said a heartfelt goodbye to the team. At the age of 35 years and 229 days, he signed off on the field to cheers from the crowd while sporting the captain’s armband for the last five minutes of a 3-1 victory over Tottenham.

One of the best center backs to ever don a red shirt, he added the Champions League trophy to his ten-year haul of UEFA, League, and FA Cup victories while playing for Liverpool. In 2005, he was one of the heroes of Istanbul.

35 years and 111 days old, Jamie Carragher

After a fruitful apprenticeship, Carragher signed professional terms in October 1996, marking the start of his 17-year career and seven major trophies.

With 737 appearances, the one-club center back Carragher is second on Liverpool’s all-time list. In May 2013, at the age of 35 years and 11 days, he played his final game at Anfield against Queens Park Rangers and was greeted with a standing ovation.

(35 years, 33 days) Kolo Toure

Center back Kolo Toure, who joined Liverpool for three years after Carragher retired, was a huge hit when he was signed from Manchester City in 2013.

When he joined Brendan Rodgers’ team, he was already considered a “veteran.” His leadership helped the team advance to the Europa League final in 2016—his last game with the team.

But the Ivory Coast defender, who is 35 years and 33 days old, had played his last Premier League game a week prior.

Mark Wright, aged 34 years and 50 days

Mark Wright’s football career was cut short by injury, but he continued to play until he was 34 years and 50 days old, when he participated in his 210th and last Reds game in September 1997.

The center back, who was one of England’s best players at the 1990 World Cup, was signed by Liverpool manager Graeme Souness to be the team’s defensive anchor. In 1992, as captain, he won the FA Cup.

midfield players

37 years and 136 days old, Gary McAllister

The Scot is the oldest Premier League player to have ever played for Liverpool, having signed for the Reds in 2000 at the age of thirty-five. McAllister is a cultured midfielder.

When McAllister was first signed by Gerard Houllier, there were a few raised eyebrows. However, McAllister’s skill set was immediately apparent, and he played in all three finals to help the team win the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup in 2001.

At the age of 37 years and 136 days, he played in his final Liverpool game, a 5-0 victory over Ipswich at Anfield in May 2002.

34-year-old Steven Gerrard (358 days)

Steven Gerrard, who is regarded by many as Liverpool’s best player of all time, ended his 710-game career at Anfield in May 2015 in order to take on new challenges with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

When he scored his final goal in his final game for the team, he was 34 years and 358 days old.

After graduating from the Academy, Gerrard made his senior debut in 1998, was named club captain in 2003, and spent 17 incredible years winning almost every trophy available at his boyhood club.

John Barnes, aged 33 years and 185 days

In 1987, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish spent £900,000 to acquire England international John Barnes to Anfield. During his ten-year tenure at Anfield, Barnes won four trophies, including two league titles, and the 1988 PFA Player of the Year award.

During his prime, Barnes was a devastating left winger who played with grace. In later years, he was moved into the infield as a clever playmaker, and in May 1997, at the age of 33 years and 185 days, he played his final game for Liverpool at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday.

Attackers

(34 years, 197 days) Ian Rush

Ian Rush, the all-time top goalscorer for Liverpool, scored 346 goals in 660 games during his two stints at the team. He scored his last goal in a Premier League match in May 1996.

At the age of 34 years and 197 days, Rush scored a goal to secure a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at Maine Road after manager Roy Evans gave him the captain’s armband.

33 years and 96 days old is Rickie Lambert.

The England international, who was selected for the 2014 World Cup and had a fairytale rise through the English leagues, flourished relatively late in his career. At age 32, he completed a dream move to boyhood club Liverpool.

The Scouse striker, who spent his early years at the Reds Academy before being released at the age of 15, played 36 games in his one season with the team before retiring in the same match as Steven Gerrard, who was 33 years and 96 days old.

Craig Bellamy has 305 days to his age.

Fierce forward Craig Bellamy had two stints as a Liverpool player, never one to settle down.

In the first, from 2006–07, he scored and assisted John Arne Riise in the Champions League victory 2-1 over Barcelona, the defending European champions, at Camp Nou. In the second, from 2011–2012, he scored the winner of the semi-final on his way to winning the League Cup.

At the age of 32 years and 305 days, he made his final appearance for the Reds in 79 games at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea City.