Jan Molby spent seven years at Liverpool between 1984 and 1991, winning three First Division titles and two FA Cups alongside some of the finest players England's top flight has ever seen. Looking back at that golden period, the Danish midfielder has reserved particular praise for the defensive trio who helped make the Reds almost unstoppable.

Phil Neal: the reliable right-back

Right-back Phil Neal made more than 650 appearances for Liverpool, collecting eight league titles, four FA Cups, and four European Cups to cement himself as one of Anfield's all-time greats. For Molby, Neal's quality was immediately evident from the moment he arrived on Merseyside.

"I thought he was a terrific footballer," Molby told FourFourTwo. "A great defender, a very good one-touch passer, and could perform with both feet. I only played with him for 18 months, but he was one of those guys that instantly impressed me with his ability."

Alan Hansen: ahead of his time

At the heart of Liverpool's defence stood Alan Hansen — a player Molby believes would thrive even in the modern game. The Scotland international was renowned for his composure, reading of the game, and technical sophistication at a time when those attributes were rare in centre-backs.

"Alan Hansen is one of those rare players that wouldn't have looked out of place in today's football because of the way he played the game," Molby reflected. "He was an exceptional reader of the game, very quick, and very comfortable with the high line that's often played nowadays."

Steve Nicol: the unsung hero

Left-back Steve Nicol is perhaps the most underappreciated of the three, yet his teammates and coaching staff held him in the highest regard. His talents were formally recognised in 1989 when he claimed the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award.

"A terrific all-round footballer and one of those guys that generally didn't know how well liked he was and how good he was," Molby said. "He was a real unsung hero, but so appreciated by the backroom staff and his team-mates."

Together, Neal, Hansen, and Nicol formed the defensive spine of a Liverpool side that dominated English football throughout the 1980s — and Molby's words serve as a timely reminder of just how special that generation truly was.