10 LFC players who broke America
European champions Liverpool jet out to the USA for a three-match tour this week but they won't be the first Reds hoping to make a splash across the pond.
One future Liverpool legend made an impact on North America as far back as 1972 and the route across the Atlantic has been a fairly well travelled one ever since.
So, ahead of this year's pre-season trip to the USA - during which Jürgen Klopp's men will face Borussia Dortmund in Notre Dame, Sevilla in Boston and Sporting CP in New York - we've put together a list of 10 former Reds who left their mark on America.
Steven Gerrard
One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, Steven Gerrard called time on his trophy-laden, 710-game Anfield career in 2015 to take up a new challenge with Los Angeles Galaxy.
The 35-year-old marked his MLS debut with a goal and an assist in a 5–2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes and was selected in the league's All-Star team at the end of the season.
The former LFC skipper played 39 times for the Californian side - scoring five goals and providing 15 assists - before returning to Liverpool and joining the Academy coaching staff in January 2017.
Brad Friedel
Signed by Roy Evans, former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel left his homeland to join Liverpool from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew back in 1997.
The MLS Goalkeeper of the Year rejected approaches from Celtic and Rangers to join the Reds. He enjoyed a 31-game Anfield career before going on to establish himself as one of the best stoppers in the Premier League at Blackburn Rovers.
Steve Nicol
One of the most successful players in Liverpool history, Steve Nicol became player/coach of minor league side Boston Bulldogs in the USA in 1999.
He stepped up to the MLS as New England manager in 1999, winning the US Open Cup and the North American SuperLiga during 10 years with the Revolution.
Djimi Traore
A Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, Mali defender Djimi Traore played 141 games for the Reds before leaving the club in 2006.
He signed for MLS side Seattle Sounders in 2013 and scored a spectacular 30-yard volley in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Tigres UANL.
The France-born full-back played 50 games for the Sounders and then joined the coaching staff. He is currently assistant manager at the club.
Steve Heighway
Between 1970 and 1981, Steve Heighway played 475 times during a glittering career at Liverpool but then took his considerable talents to the USA and the Minnesota Kicks.
The two-time European Cup winner played 26 times for the North American Soccer League (NASL) side, scoring on four occasions. He finished his playing career with the Philadelphia Fever in 1982.
Robbie Keane
Signed by Liverpool in 2008, Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane struggled to replicate his best form at Anfield and returned to Spurs six months after joining the Reds.
From there he headed to MLS, joining LA Galaxy in 2011. The stiker proved to be star at the Californian club, scoring 105 goals in 170 games, winning three MLS Cups and bagging a series of league MVP honours during his six-year stint in the USA.
Graeme Souness
Before Graeme Souness headed to Anfield in 1978, the Scottish midfielder spent a season playing for Canadian side Montreal Olympique, in the same North American Soccer League as the New York Cosmos.
He was named in the 1972 NASL All-Star team.
He would go on to become one of Liverpool’s all-time greats, winning five league titles and three European Cups during his 259-game Anfield career.
Abel Xavier
Portuguese full-back Abel Xavier was notable more for his outlandish hairstyles and fashion sense than his on-field displays during his brief stint with Liverpool.
After making 21 appearances for the Reds, Xavier left Anfield in 2003 and finished his career in the USA with Ruud Gullit's LA Galaxy in 2008.
Tommy Smith
Liverpool legend Tommy Smith spent the summer of 1976 on loan at NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies, before returning to the Reds and winning the European Cup in 1977 - his second with LFC.
After that stunning send-off, 'The Anfield Iron' went back to the USA to play for and coach LA Aztecs.
Roy Evans
Scouse defender Roy Evans joined Liverpool as an apprentice in 1963 and served the Reds in almost every capacity possible before eventually becoming manager of his beloved boyhood club in 1994.
Before calling time on a his playing career and graduating through the famous LFC bootroom, Evans enjoyed a successful loan spell at NASL side The Philadelphia Atoms in 1973.
"We ended up winning the league and becoming the first rookie team to win a national championship in the USA in any sport," Evan's recalled to LFChistory.net.
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