Merseyside has always produced excellent footballing talent, and across the EFL there are many Liverpudlians leading the way for their respective clubs.
Many clubs from the Championship to League Two have inherited some of the finest Merseyside players. Throughout both the start of this season and through the course of the last Scousers have impressed with many becoming fan favourites for their clubs.
Despite there being multiple Scouse talents across the EFL, there have been some standouts who are influential to their sides, Hull City have multiple Liverpudlians in their weekly line-up with both John Lundstram and Joe Gelhardt being regular starters.
Paul Mullin has also had a good start to his loan spell at Wigan Athletic with the Scouser once again hitting the headlines as he did during his time at Wrexham A.F.C, the striker has aided his loan side massively as seen through statistics and data.
John Lundstram
John Lundstram has solidified a Hull City side who narrowly escaped relegation in the 2024/25 season following final day drama which saw the Tigers survive based on goal difference.
The Liverpool born midfielder began his career at Everton’s’ Academy. This season he has started all of the possible nine games for the Tigers. His presence has cemented the East Yorkshire side in a midtable position, an immense improvement upon the almost catastrophic disaster of last season.
Lundstram joined the Tigers as part of a loan deal from Turkish side Trabzonspor at the start of the 2025/26 season, and the 31-year-old has impressed throughout his short time at the club displaying the typical Scouse trait of getting “stuck in” for the sake of the badge.
Anyone watching his performances can see his influence just simply through the naked eye, however the data and statistics surrounding his performances reveal another layer of the players’ hard work.
Lundstram leads from the back as he retrieves the ball then kickstarts the attack, the Scouser has the second highest amount of accurate long balls per game (an average of 4.1) as well as the third most accurate passes per game (35.6 per game averaging a success rate of 81%).
Infographic made using Flourish- data used from SofaScore
Lundstram leads the way in terms of defensive prowess, and the data displays the average amount of interceptions and tackles per game and clearly shows how he is the standout individual across the defensive back line and holding midfield.
However, head coach Sergej Jakirovic stated how the Tigers will be without Lundstram for at least four weeks due to a calf injury he suffered in the 1-0 victory against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. It is hoped the defensive midfielder will be able to return to the squad in time to face QPR on November 22nd.
Paul Mullin
Mullin is a household name across the EFL due to his success across multiple seasons at Wrexham AFC. The striker is currently on loan at Wigan Athletic, joining the side at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Despite only starting in 50% of his 12 appearances the Scouser, from Litherland, has made an impact in his short time.
With three goals across the season Mullin is the second highest goal scorer for the Latics despite only starting six matches.
The Tics currently sit in 17th place just two points above the relegation zone. However, if the Scouse 30-year-old remains fit then he may be able to push his loan side further up the table based upon his statistics so far across the season.
The goal scorer has the highest scoring frequency in minutes for Wigan in the 2025/26 season, the data piece emphasises just how important Mullin could be for a side such as Wigan. As last season the side had the lowest scoring record across the whole of League One, with just 40 goals scored.
His experience in front of goal is vital and if the Liverpudlian can remain fit and free from injury he could be the difference between a concerning season and a push for promotion back to the Championship.
Joe Gelhardt
Youngster Joe Gelhardt became something of a cult hero across the Hull City faithful across the 2024/25 season, fans were more than happy to welcome back the forward for a second loan spell.
Infographic made using Flourish- data used from SofaScore
Joe “Joffy” Gelhardt grew up in Netherton, where he was scouted for both Everton and Liverpool’s academies. However, Gelhardt spent time within Wigan Athletic’s academy before being offered a scholarship deal in 2017.
Gelhardt has appeared in nine matches across the EFL season scoring twice in these cameos.
The forward has an impressive array of statistics surrounding his performances, both the Liverpudlian and forward partner Oli McBurnie are topping the rankings for Hull City with the two becoming quite the pair.
McBurnie nicknamed the Scouser “little fat calves” a nod to his small stocky stature, reminiscent of Scouse Legend Wayne Rooney, with the duo scoring eight goals between them so far this season.
Infographic made using Flourish- data used from SofaScore
The data table shows how Gelhardt is an integral part of the team in terms of attacking play, his direct attitude to attack the opposition is clear across the data graph with his average total shots per game being the highest across the squad.
