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Current Reds right-back Steve Finnan, aka Mr Consistency, has been voted into our '100 PWSTK' countdown at number 55.
Four years after our ground-breaking '100 Days That Shook The Kop', we are delighted to invite you to enjoy our new '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' series – the definitive countdown of the 100 players who have made the biggest impact at Liverpool.
Over 110,000 supporters have all nominated their own personal Top 10 players in order of impact made and now the definitive top 100 countdown is underway.
Every player who has made the top 100 – and there are some surprises in there - will be honoured on this website via the e-Season ticket console with a specially produced video clip, including archive footage and exclusive interviews.
Since 1892 hundreds of players have represented this club but everyone has their own particular favourites so don't expect this list to be based solely on talent. The greatness of a player can be measured in many ways – obviously, his ability on the pitch is the most important, but 100 PWSTK is much more than that. It's about the impact the individuals chosen have had on this club, be it for a variety of reasons. Maybe it was because of their unique rapport with the crowd, a specific incident that has never been forgotten or anything else that has left a lasting impression.
Name: Steve Finnan
Years at Liverpool: 2003 to present
Position: Right back
Date of birth: 24/04/1976
Birthplace: Limerick
Signed from: Fulham (July 2003)
Games: 135
Goals: 1
Honours: European Cup (2005), FA Cup (2006), Super Cup (2005)
Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan has been a model of consistency at right back under the management of Rafael Benitez. Limerick-born but English-raised, Finnan began his career with non-league Welling United, turning professional with Birmingham City in 1995, but, soon moved on to Notts County. After some strong showings for County in 1997-98, then Fulham boss Keving Keegan paid £600,000 for his services and it was at Craven Cottage that his talents first came to the fore. Gerard Houllier snapped him up for £3.75m during the summer of 2003 but after a fairly ordinary debut season at Anfield the jury was out on him. When Benitez then took over the managerial reigns at Anfield many believed Finnan would be automatically deemed surplus to requirements, especially when Spanish right-back Josemi was brought in. However, he successfully fought of any threat to his place in the starting eleven and enjoyed an outstanding 2004/2005 season that culminated in Champions League success. A good attacking right-back, he provides the team with width and balance down the flank when going forward and reliability when defending. His stock rose once again last season when he produced another faultless campaign, which was capped by FA Cup glory in May, and he's now firmly established as one of the mainstays of Rafa's team. Quiet and unassuming, the likeable Irishman has become a firm favourite with the fans and is equally popular among team-mates. Arguably the finest right-back in Britain at the moment, Finnan's steady rather than spectacular style may not have rocked the Kop as such but his sterling displays at the back have played a prominent role in Liverpool's recent triumphs and should he maintain his current rate of progression then we may well be describing him has one of this club's all-time greats in years to come.
Claim to fame: He is the only member of the current Liverpool squad to have played in every English division, from Conference to Premiership
Did you know? He played in all of Ireland's games at the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea
John Arne Riise on Steve Finnan: "Maybe for me this year the best right back in the Premier League. So relaxed, shows that he's confident with the ball. People don't think he's the quickest but he's reading the game very good. For me he's a very good right back I'm very happy that he stayed last year."
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