Legends
Liverpool and Ligue 1: Links Past and Present
Ibrahima Konaté FC Sochaux 2016-17, Liverpool 2021-
The only former Ligue 1 player on the Reds' books, French international centre back Konaté made just a dozen appearances for Sochaux -- then in Ligue 2 -- down the back end of the 2016/17 season at the age of 17 before moving to RB Leipzig. Since joining Liverpool in 2021, he's been an integral part of their defence and is likely to feature at the Parc alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Fabinho AS Monaco 2013-8, Liverpool 2018-23
Originally a right back, Fabinho made the transition to defensive midfield with aplomb under Leonardo Jardim, becoming a cornerstone that helped the club make a pair of deep runs in the Champions League as well as win the 2016/17 Ligue 1 title. Similar success followed with Liverpool as he won multiple titles despite occasional struggles with injury.
Sadio Mané FC Metz 2011-12, Liverpool 2016-22
One of several stars to have come from Senegal to the eastern city and stardom in French football, Mané spent just a single season with Les Grenats, then playing in Ligue 2. He would go on to join Red Bull Salzburg, where he caught the eye of Southampton before eventually joining Liverpool at the age of 24. In six seasons there, he would win every trophy on offer, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations with his country.
Djibril Cissé AJ Auxerre 1998-2004, Liverpool 2004-6, Marseille 2006-8
After breaking through with Auxerre as a teenager, Cissé would rise to become the league's top scorer in 2001-2, netting 23 times to help his team qualify for the Champions League. Subsequent seasons saw Auxerre win the Coupe de France and another golden boot for Cissé before departing in 2004. His brief stint at Liverpool was marred by a severe leg break, but he would return to Ligue 1 to star for Marseille over two seasons before finishing his career in itinerant fashion with spells in Greece, Italy and Russia.
John Arne Riise AS Monaco 1998-2001, Liverpool 2001-2008
Capped over one hundred times for Norway, Riise arrived in the Principality from Aalesund in his native country, and was a key element of the Monaco side that won the 1999-2000 title. He would subsequently fall out of favor, though, moving to Merseyside the following summer. At Liverpool, he made more than 300 appearances as helped the team win the Champions League in 2005, as well as the FA Cup the following season.
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