There’s been a lot of controversy this week regarding the influence of foreign players on the English game which is rather ironic given the recent fuss around football against racism.

The truth is that, whilst limiting foreign players might ensure that more local players make it, these have helped improve the overall level. Over the course of these next few days, I’ll be taking a look at the best fifteen foreign players to have put on the Liverpool shirt.

The rules are simple: players who have been at Liverpool more than a year have been considered and no British or Irish players have been included.

15 Glen Hysen
Many feel that Hysen was a bad buy, blaming him for Liverpool’s eventual decline yet the truth is that in his second season at the club he lacked a good quality defender beside him. Indeed, in his first season he was excellent alongside Alan Hansen as Liverpool swept away to the League Title and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the semi-final. Following Hansen’s injury forced absence, however, he struggled to reach the same levels and upon Graeme Souness’ appointment as manager he went back to Sweden where he saw out his career at GAIS. If anything, he should be remember for rejecting the opportunity to join Manchester United in order to move to Liverpool.

14 Stephane Henchoz
Another defender who was a revelation after joining Liverpool from relegated Blackburn. Partnered by Houllier alongside Sami Hyppia, the two immediately formed an excellent understanding. Despite Henchoz’ lack of pace or skill on the ball, he was a resolute defender and very few people got past him. His two saves against Arsenal in the FA Cup final will long be remembered.

13 Marcus Babbel
It is an incredible pity that sickness robbed Liverpool of Babbel’s talents after just one season. Even so, during that year he had been impeccable combining good defensive approach with the ability of joining attacks whilst scoring some important goals, not least in the UEFA Cup Final against Alaves.

12 John Arne Riise
Where people once sang that horrid ‘ooh ahh’ song every time Riise touched the ball, they are now more likely to groan every time they witness his inclusion in the side. This transformation is quite remarkable especially as, despite being below par for quite a while, Riise remains an extremely versatile player who has been an excellent servant at the club.

11 Pepe Reina
Virtually unknown and given the task of replacing Jerzy Dudek after the Pole’s heroics in the Champions League final, he quickly settled in to the task emerging as Liverpool’s finest keeper since Bruce Grobbelaar. Fantastic concentration and reflexes, he is excellent at penalties with the only fault occasionally being his erratic distribution. Never receives the plaudits he deserves but he is on par with Peter Cech as the best in the Premiership and one of the finest in Europe. Should rapidly move up the list if this form continues.

Positions 6 to 10 will be revealed next Wednesday but look out for a surprise list tomorrow.