Over 800 players have worn the famous red shirt in Liverpool’s more than 130-year history, each leaving behind their own degree of legacy, impact, and lure.
Yet, among the hundreds of names etched in the annals of Anfield’s storied past, only a few have belonged to American-born players. This fact stands out even more clearly in the new era of growing American interest in European football, particularly in the Premier League.
But before the overseas success of USA-born players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams, the journey of Americans leaving their mark at Liverpool has been scarce, with only three significant names coming to the forefront of that long and decorated timeline: Hugh Lester, Brad Friedel, and Zak Whitbread.
For Liverpool, a club synonymous with global appeal, deep-rooted trophy history, and subcultures of international fan bases, it’s surprising to see so few American representatives. Public records show that just two American-born players have logged minutes at the senior level, while adding familial ties could raise that number to four someday.
Presently, the club features American Keyrol Figueroa, the son of Maynor Figueroa. Over a 22-year career, the Honduran native had stints with the MLS, Premier League, and more. Maynor, mostly known as a Wigan Athletic legend, finished his career with the Houston Dynamo in 2021, with his son starting his career in Dallas in 2016.
This is a small but noteworthy list in the club’s extensive history dating back to 1892.
Hugh Lester: The Forgotten Pioneer
Lester played for Liverpool during the early 20th century and was one of the first Americans to step into the world of British football. Originally a sprinter who recorded a time of 10.5 seconds for 100 meters [Usain Bolt’s world record is 9.58], Lester switched to soccer with St. Helen’s Recreation.
He then joined the Reds for two seasons, making just two appearances with the club. He failed to register a goal or assist during his time and only played the sport for two more seasons before retiring.
Brad Friedel: The Shot-Stopping Star
The most recognizable American to have suited up for Liverpool is undoubtedly Brad Friedel, the goalkeeper who arrived at the club in 1997 from the MLS club, the Columbus Crew. Friedel’s path to Anfield was far from easy, with work permit issues stalling his arrival after being signed by Roy Evans.
Once he joined the squad, Friedel found himself in a highly competitive environment, often serving as a backup to David James. He made just 25 appearances for the club across two seasons and played 2,250 minutes in the red shirt.
After departing from Anfield’s high standards, Friedel would later establish himself as one of the league’s most dependable shot-stoppers with Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur. He made more than 450 Premier League appearances, an achievement few American players have matched.
Bonus: Zak Whitbread
Zak Whitbread, a Texas-born defender with English and Singapore roots, emerged from Liverpool’s youth system in the early 2000s. He has shown promise throughout his time with the team, even serving as captain of the U19 squad in 2001.
His time at Liverpool was overshadowed by more prominent defenders in the senior squad, like Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, and Steve Finnan. He failed to register an appearance for the team in three years.
After leaving Liverpool, Whitbread’s career took him across English football, where he played for Norwich City, Millwall, and Leicester City. While he never achieved the heights of Friedel’s career, Whitbread remained a steady figure in the English Football League, another symbol of the challenge for Americans at a top European club like Liverpool.
