Which Liverpool Players Make a Premier League Mount Rushmore? – Opinion | OneFootball

Is Mohamed Salah Now on the Premier League’s Mount Rushmore?

Since the inception of the Premier League, I have always considered a select group of players to be the best to perform in this league. I believe it’s important to acknowledge that the era before the Premier League, which began in 1992 and deserves recognition as well. However, for the sake of this discussion, I will focus on the Mount Rushmore of greats within the Premier League era to determine who truly stands out.

Who Belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the Premier League Era?

Narrowing down a final list of four players becomes increasingly difficult with each passing year. For this reason, I have chosen to limit my selections to those who excelled only during the Premier League’s existence. Having followed every season since the league’s creation, I believe I can recall all candidates without being biased by the most recent performances. Too often, the greatness of players is judged by fans who did not experience football before 2010. Football fandom can be heavily influenced by tribalism, but it is also shaped by generational perspectives.

In the past thirty years, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool have all produced either singular or multiple elite teams, featuring many world-class players who have performed at exceptional levels throughout their tenures. I have compiled my list (in order of playing position) of ten players who were world-class during their time in the Premier League:

1. Virgil van Dijk

2. Roy Keane

3. Steven Gerrard

4. Frank Lampard

5. Kevin De Bruyne

6. Paul Scholes

7. Dennis Bergkamp

8. Thierry Henry

9. Alan Shearer

10. Mohamed Salah

Who Makes the Final Four of Mount Rushmore?

Upon reviewing the above list, it is evident that only one defender has made the cut: the world’s best centre-back, Virgil van Dijk. No other defender has come close to his level, and despite the debates surrounding John Terry or Rio Ferdinand, neither reached a consistently world-class level nor were they the best centre-backs in their respective teams. While this list is subjective, the continued output and impact of my chosen four players lend validity to my selections.

If I were to choose a Mount Rushmore of the Premier League, this would now be it.

Roy Keane

A sensational midfield general who brought out the best in every player around him; he was the most effective club captain of the Premier League era.

Alan Shearer

A destructive goal scorer who tore teams apart with his powerful centre-forward play and goal-scoring ability.

Thierry Henry

As it stands, the former Arsenal player is the greatest player to grace the English game during this time frame.

Mohamed Salah

Though he is still playing, the Egyptian King stands head and shoulders above all wingers or wide forwards. His world-class ability and goal contributions during his time at Anfield are remarkable; at 32 years old, he is currently enjoying the best season of his career. With a contract situation that is causing alarm within the Merseyside fan base, the supporters can only dream of an extended stay until his future is officially confirmed.