10 Most Underrated Liverpool Midfielder's in Premier League History (Ranked)

10 Most Underrated Liverpool Midfielder's in Premier League History (Ranked)

The midfield. The heart of the pitch and arguably the most important area of the pitch has certainly been an area of real class for Liverpool over the years in the Premier League era. The obvious favourite being legend Steven Gerrard; however, there have been plenty of this era who have gone under the radar who actually had real quality, which they showed on a regular basis at Anfield.

Whether they played with players who were more in the 'limelight' than them or they just didn't do anything flashy enough to be raved about, there have been some real talented players who have been completely lost with time or not spoken about as much as they should have been during their time at Liverpool. Here at Football Park we are going to rank the 10 most underrated of these... Enjoy!

10 - Naby Keïta

Liverpool 2018 - 2023

A player that will always come with the “what could have been” label. Injuries massively disrupted his time at Liverpool, but when he was fit, you could see the quality straight away. Sharp in tight areas, aggressive in the press and capable of driving forward with real intent, Keïta had the tools to be a serious Premier League midfielder. He never quite got the consistent run to prove it week in, week out, which in many ways makes him underrated in hindsight.

On his day, he was exactly what Klopp wanted from a modern number eight. He started his career at the Reds well, but once the injuries started... they never stopped.

Naby Keita vs Genk

110 passes completed
93% pass accuracy
4/4 long balls
1 chance created
3 dribbles complete
1 interception
4 tackles

What a performance 👑 pic.twitter.com/Lgk5Q7F9Hq

— ‏ً (@SadioIogist) October 23, 2019

9 - Adam Lallana

Liverpool 2014 - 2020

Before the injuries, Lallana was one of the most important players in Jürgen Klopp’s early Liverpool side. His energy, pressing and technical ability made him perfect for the system. He wasn’t just neat and tidy on the ball; he was relentless off it. Constant movement, clever touches in tight areas and an ability to link midfield with attack made him hugely valuable.

Injuries slowed him down at the worst possible time, and because of that, people forget just how good he actually was in that 2016/17 period. He was one of my favourite players at the start of Klopp's reign; I wish we could have seen his true potential under Jurgen.

Adam Lallana - Technical Elegance pic.twitter.com/4cHP6uUgiD

— 1947production (@1947prod) January 26, 2026

8 - James Milner

Liverpool 2015 - 2023

The definition of reliability. Milner was never going to be the headline act in a team containing Salah, Mané and Firmino, but his importance should never be overlooked. Whether it was filling in at left-back or controlling games in midfield, he delivered consistently. His leadership, professionalism and tactical discipline were massive in Liverpool’s most successful modern side.

Not flashy, not dramatic, just effective. He was labelled 'Mr Boring Milner' famously on Love Island and that goes to show that he was never seen as that crazy midfielder that was always in the headlines, yet he was one of the most consistent players in recent years at Liverpool.

James Milner 653 Premier League games later... 👏 pic.twitter.com/MvzjSfgMdm

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 11, 2026

7 - Emre Can

Liverpool 2014 - 2018

A player that divided opinion but had undeniable talent. Physically dominant, technically secure and capable of spectacular moments, Can had everything to be a top midfielder. Used in multiple roles across his time at Anfield, he perhaps never fully settled in one position. But there were spells where he completely controlled games and looked a level above.

It was a short time at Anfield, playing in midfield and defence, but he always put in a shift wherever. He has had a great spell over in Germany at Dortmund; watching him now has often left me thinking how he would have developed with a few more years under Klopp... We all remember that beautiful bicycle kick!

This Emre Can goal lives rent free in our headpic.twitter.com/4NP6xOn9kf

— Vicky (@footy_bombs) September 3, 2025

6 - Dietmar Hamann

Liverpool 1999 - 2006

Not the loudest name in Premier League discussions, but Hamann brought control and composure to Liverpool’s midfield. He understood tempo, he understood positioning, and he rarely made the wrong decision. In big games especially, he was dependable and calm in moments that required it. He played a lot of games during this period of time for Liverpool, but he was never one of the midfielders mentioned when speaking about the best players of that era at Liverpool. That may be because of Steven Gerrard...

#OTD in 2000:
Dietmar Hamann scores his first Liverpool goal in a 3-1 win over Leeds that also saw goals from Danny Murphy and Patrik Berger pic.twitter.com/3CNIXH0oCA

— Liverpool On This Day (@OnThisDayReds) February 5, 2026

5 - Georginio Wijnaldum

Liverpool 2015 - 2021

One of the most tactically intelligent midfielders of the Klopp era. Wijnaldum wasn’t someone who constantly grabbed headlines, but he did the job that allowed others to thrive. He retained possession under pressure, pressed relentlessly and popped up with huge goals when it mattered most. Quietly crucial and massively missed when he left. My personal favourite quote about Gini: 'He was the Honda of our team. never broke down and always reliable'. This is him described perfectly.

It took Liverpool a while to fill in the hole that was made when he left the Reds, with his role in the side often underrated by the club and fans alike, when Liverpool didn't properly replace him. Come on, we all remember that incredible brace off the bench at Anfield in the famous Barcelona game!

Prime Wijnaldum pic.twitter.com/qzHIpXlaxR

— 1947production (@1947prod) February 10, 2026

4 - Xabi Alonso

Liverpool 2004 - 2009

It sounds strange to call a player of Alonso’s quality underrated, but within wider Premier League debates he doesn’t always get mentioned among the very best. His passing range was elite, his composure unmatched and his ability to dictate the tempo of a game was second to none. In an era that had plenty of powerful midfielders, Alonso did it with intelligence and technique.

His time at Liverpool has been brought up a lot in recent times due to the managerial links that are a constant at the moment, but before that... not enough was mentioned about the pure class he brought to the pitch week in, week out at Liverpool. His partnership with Gerrard and a later mention on the list was one of the best midfield threes that Liverpool has ever had.

20 years ago… Extraordinary 🤯

Xabi Alonso scores from his own half 🆚 Luton Town ⏪ pic.twitter.com/plmLR1R3Y1

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 7, 2026

3 - Lucas Leiva

Liverpool 2007 - 2017

Few players have had a journey quite like Lucas at Liverpool. From early criticism to becoming one of the most important players in midfield, his development was massive. He did the dirty work, broke up play and allowed more attacking players to flourish. During transitional periods especially, he was the balance and stability in the side.

He might not feature in glamorous all-time XIs, but for a number of years he was absolutely vital. He was underrated on the pitch and off the pitch he was absolutely a fan favourite; his humour was unmatched and is often considered one of the funniest players that Liverpool ever had. Ask anyone who watched him week in, week out; when he was fit, Liverpool were a better team. Simple as that.

Lucas Leiva turns 37 today! 🎂

Who remembers this beauty from our former Brazilian midfielder? pic.twitter.com/3VXhl8PjMu

— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) January 9, 2024

2 - Jordan Henderson

Liverpool 2011 - 2023

Despite lifting the Premier League trophy as captain, Henderson has always had doubters. Even at the peak of Liverpool’s success, there were still questions about whether he was “good enough”. From nearly being pushed out under Brendan Rodgers to becoming the heartbeat of Jürgen Klopp’s side, his rise says everything about his character. His pressing set the tone. His leadership drove standards. His energy dragged the team through difficult moments.

He was never considered the best and people would always talk about who would be better to replace him with, but the truth is that he really was underrated during his time at Liverpool and was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for a good few years in Liverpool's prime under Klopp. Without him, that side wouldn't have hit quite the heights that it did and I stand by that. Even in 2026, he is proving his quality is still there; he is having a fantastic season at Brentford.

Everyone was laughing at Jordan Henderson when he came back to England and signed for Brentford. This season he has showed his quality and experience.

He absolutely needs to be in that World Cup squad. pic.twitter.com/h8NrFduBJY

— The Footy Section (@FTBLsection) February 7, 2026

1 - Javier Mascherano

Liverpool 2007 - 2010

Overshadowed by Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso at the time, Mascherano was the warrior in Liverpool’s midfield. The one who did the ugly side of the game so others could shine. Aggressive, intelligent and relentless, he gave Liverpool bite in huge European nights and physical Premier League battles. He read danger before it happened and threw himself into tackles like it actually meant something.

He might not have scored screamers or grabbed the headlines, but if you wanted someone next to you in a big game, Mascherano was the first name on the teamsheet. For pure underrated impact in the Premier League era, he takes number one.

Happy 40th birthday, Javier @Mascherano! 🇦🇷

What a player. 🔴
pic.twitter.com/gKAY0ASDF2

— Boss Liverpool Goals (@BossLFCgoals) June 8, 2024