PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Pegguy Arphexad

Pegguy Arphexad : (Goalkeeper, 2000-2003)
Date of Birth: 18/05/1973
Birthplace: Abymes,Guadaloupe
Debut : -
1st team games: 5
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: Racing Club Lens, Leicester City
International caps while with Liverpool: 1 (France U-21)
International goals while with Liverpool: 0
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE

Pegguy Arphexad was released by Liverpool in 2003 but proved something of a lucky charm for the Reds after picking up six medals during his time at Anfield, and he didn't play in any of the matches!
The classic phrase 'show us your medals' would certainly apply to Pegguy.

He was signed by Gerard Houllier from Leicester City in the summer of 2000 to provide back-up to Sander Westerveld, and was on the bench for all the club's five triumphs in 2001.

When the club signed Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland the writing looked to be on the wall for Arphexad, but he remained at Anfield as third choice. When Kirkland was injured Arphexad was on the bench for the Worthington Cup Final in 2003 and won another medal to bring his total to six!

Arphexad played a significant role in Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League in season 1999/2000. The one time French under-21 international produced an inspired performance for his former club Leicester City to deny the Reds a much needed three points at Anfield in May 2000. His heroics that night clearly impressed Gerard Houllier who moved swiftly to sign Arphexad on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling during the summer.

Pegguy began his career in the French League with Lens before making a dream move to the Premiership in August 1997. An excellent shot stopper, he gained a reputation as a spot kick saving expert.

He made his Reds debut at Anfield in the 3rd round victory over Chelsea on November 1st 2000. He also played in Liverpool's record 8-0 win at Stoke in the 4th round but was unable to play in the quarter-final and semi-final due to injury.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Jari Litmanen

Jari Litmanen : Striker (2000-2002)
Date of Birth: 20/02/1971
Birthplace: Lahti, Finland
Debut :
1st team games: 43
1st team goals: 9
Other clubs: Reipas Lahti, HJK Helsinki, MyPa, Ajax, Barcelona, FC Lahti
International caps while with Liverpool: 76
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: -


PROFILE
Jari Litmanen is without question the most famous Finnish footballer of all time and was recruited on a free transfer from Barcelona in 2000.

Jari made his Reds debut as a substitute in the Worthington Cup semi-final first leg at Crystal Palace, and then made his first start for Liverpool in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Jari was already an established Finnish international by the time Ajax came in for him at the start of the 1992-93 season. He started slowly but in his second season he took the Dutch League by storm, finishing up as top scorer with 26 goals as Ajax won the first of a hat trick of Dutch titles.

In 1999 Jari finally ended his fabulous seven-year stint in Amsterdam by joining former Coach Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona. Things, however, didn't go as planned. Injury curtailed his appearances and when Van Gaal left last summer, Jari was effectively left in limbo. That season he had not played a single match for Barca - hence his keenness to leave Catalonia and join Liverpool, the club he has supported since childhood.

Jari helped Liverpool reach the Worthington Cup Final with an outstanding display in the semi-final win over Crystal Palace at Anfield, but injury unfortunately ruled him out of the exciting climax to the 2000/01 season.

He was left frustrated with first team chances limited during the 2001-2002 season spending most of his time on the substitutes bench but did serve up some memorable moments.

He scored a fantastic individual goal in the 1-0 win at Anfield against Tottenham then played a starring role in the Champions League win over Roma at Anfield, scoring a penalty on Houllier's return.

Litmanen's career at Anfield will go down as a case of what might have been. Despite his undoubted skill and creativity many supporters will say he was underused at Anfield.

He came off the bench to score an amazing individual goal in the Champions League quarter-final with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany, but the German side went on to win. One of the best goals of last season it was quickly forgotten because of Liverpool's defeat.

He returned to Ajax just before the transfer deadline on August 30th 2002. After leading Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2002/03 season Litmanen then returned to his native Finland and joined FC Lahti on a free transfer in August 2004

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Stephen Wright

Stephen Wright : Defender
Date of Birth: 08/02/1980
Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : 29 November 2000 v Stoke City (a) (Worthington Cup) won 8-0.
1st team games: 21
1st team goals: 1
Other clubs: Trainee
International caps while with Liverpool: 9 (England U-21)
International goals while with Liverpool: 1
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE
Talented defender Stephen Wright worked his way through the ranks at Anfield and finally made his Liverpool debut in the 8-0 Worthington Cup record victory against Stoke City in November 2000. Wright came on as a half time replacement for Markus Babbel at right back and played his part in the Reds record away victory.

His desire to break into the Reds first team was whetted following a successful spell on loan to Division One side Crewe Alexandra during the 1999/2000 season. Although sidelined early on with damaged ankle ligaments, Wright returned to the Gresty Road outfit following a rehabilitation programme back at Liverpool's Melwood training complex, and went on to gain a valuable taste of first team experience.

Wright made his Premiership debut as a substitute for the injured Markus Babbel in the 3-0 win over West Ham United at Anfield in February 2001. He made a good impression too, helping set up the second goal for Robbie Fowler, and he is fast establishing himself as a regular member of the current first team squad.

He made his first start in the Premiership for Liverpool at Filbert Street in the 4-1 win at Leicester on October 20th, 2001. His first goal arrived for the Reds at Anfield in front of the Kop in the 2-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund.

A bright future at Anfield seemingly beckoned for Wright but with no guarantee of first team football Gerard Houllier accepted a bid from Sunderland for him in August 2002.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Nick Barmby

Nick Barmby
Date of Birth: 11/02/1974
Birthplace: Hull
Debut : v Bradford City, August 19th 2000 at Anfield. Won 1-0.
1st team games: 57
1st team goals: 8
Other clubs: Spurs, Middlesbrough, Everton, Leeds United, Hull City.
International caps while with Liverpool: 23
International goals while with Liverpool:
Honours with Liverpool: UEFA Cup 2001, FA Charity Shield 2001, Worthington Cup 2001

PROFILE
Nick Barmby fulfilled a childhood dream when he crossed Stanley Park to join the Reds in a £6 million deal during the summer of 2000. In doing so he became the first player since legendary striker Dave Hickson in 1959 to move directly from Everton to Liverpool.
The lifelong Liverpudlian enjoyed a two-week trial at Anfield as a teenager but ended up signing for Tottenham as a trainee in 1991. He broke into the Spurs first team when only 18 and quickly established himself as a crowd favourite, forging an exciting front line with the likes of German World Cup star Jurgen Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham.

A team mate of Robbie Fowler in the England under-18 side that won the European Championship in 1993, a call-up to the senior squad soon beckoned and he won his first cap in a goalless draw against Uruguay in March 1995.

A few months later he surprisingly returned North to join Middlesbrough. After only one season at the Riverside he was on the move again, this time signing for Joe Royle's Everton in a club record £5.25 million transfer. Inconsistency plagued his four-year spell at Goodison, although his form during the 1999/2000 season was good enough to win him a place in England squad for Euro 2000.

After playing no part in the finals, Barmby returned home and put pen to paper on the deal that caused an unprecedented furore on Merseyside.

Operating in an attacking role on the left or right of midfield he quickly won over the Anfield faithful and celebrated his first season in a red shirt with a number of vital strikes. The most memorable being his first league goal for the club that opened the scoring against Everton in the 3-1 Merseyside derby win.

Barmby missed the climax of the treble season through injury although he was on the bench for the UEFA Cup Final win over Alaves.

Season 2001-2002 was something of a disappointment for Barmby who made just nine appearances before an ankle operation ruled him out for the season.

He moved to Leeds United just before the start of the 2002-2003 season, linking up with former Liverpool vice-captain Robbie Fowler at Elland Road.

Barmby joined his hometown club Hull City in 2004.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Christian Ziege

Christian Ziege : Defender
Date of Birth: 01/02/1972
Birthplace: Berlin
Debut : 9th September 2000 v Manchester City (H) Premiership: won 3-2
1st team games: 32
1st team goals: 2
Other clubs: Middlesbrough, AC Milan, Bayern Munich
International caps while with Liverpool: 59
International goals while with Liverpool: 8
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE
Born in Berlin, Christian Ziege actually started his career as a goalkeeper. It was only after spells with his local clubs Sudstern 08, TSVRudow and Hertha Zehlendorf that he became an outfield player, and his impressive form during the early years of his career in Germany saw him snapped up by the mighty Bayern Munich while still only 18.

Christian represented Germany at every level as a youth and was hailed by the press as the "new Andy Brehme" when he captained the under-21 team.

He made his senior debut for Germany against Brazil in the 1993 US Cup and played a starring role for the triumphant Germany side at Euro '96, playing every minute of every game and scoring the team's first goal in their opening game against the Czech Republic.

That year he also helped Bayern win the UEFA Cup. After an unhappy spell in Italy with AC Milan, Ziege was delighted to join Middlesbrough, who paid ?4 million for his services. He revived his career on Teeside and duly returned to the national side, scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Northern Ireland in his second game back and going on to win his 50th cap in Germany's final warm-up match before Euro 2000, where he played the first two games against Romania and England.

In the summer of 2000, Ziege swapped Teeside for Merseyside. His ?5.5 million transfer was a long, drawn out affair and following his arrival he struggled to hold down a regular place in the first team.

Probably his best game in a Red shirt came in the UEFA Cup quarter final in Italy away to Roma, when his superb cross saw Michael Owen score his second goal of the game to give the Reds a priceless 2-0 win. He made a substitute appearance in the Worthington Cup Final against Birmingham and scored one of the penalties in the shoot-out victory.

Frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities and the emergence of Gregory Vignal saw Ziege move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2001.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Gary McAllister MBE

Gary McAllister MBE : (Midfield, 2000-2002)
Date of Birth: 25-12-1964
Birthplace: Motherwell
Debut : v Bradford City, August 19th 2000. Won 1-0
1st team games: 87
1st team goals: 9
Other clubs: Motherwell, Leicester City, Leeds United, Coventry City, Liverpool, Coventry City (player-manager).
International caps while with Liverpool: None
International goals while with Liverpool:
Honours with Liverpool: Worthington Cup 2000-2001, FA Cup 2000-2001, UEFA Cup 2000-2001, FA Charity Shield 2001-2002, Super Cup 2001-2002


PROFILE
"My most inspirational signing," said Gerard Houllier about the capture of Gary McAllister who went on to be a Liverpool legend.
More than a few eyebrows were raised when Gerard Houllier captured veteran midfield schemer Gary McAllister on a free transfer during the summer of 2000.

The experienced Scottish international, who began his career with Motherwell, was originally a transfer target of the Reds during the managerial reign of Kenny Dalglish. When McAllister left his native Scotland it was to join Leicester City, whom he served with distinction for five years before making a £1 million switch to Leeds United in 1990.

At Elland Road he won a championship medal in 1992 and established himself as a regular in the Scottish national side. He captained the Scots in Euro 96 but is unfortunately best remembered for missing a vital penalty in the crucial group clash with the auld enemy England.

He left Leeds to sign for Coventry in a £3 million deal and during four years at Highfield Road played a prominent role in helping the Sky Blues maintain their top-flight status. At 36 he was considered surplus to requirements and allowed to leave on a Bosman. That is where Liverpool stepped in.

"It came out of the blue but it was a welcome surprise," he admits. "As soon as I knew of Liverpool's interest it was an easy decision and I had no hesitation in signing."

Despite being sent off on his full debut against Arsenal at Highbury, McAllister quickly won over the doubters who questioned the wisdom of signing a player so old. His intelligent midfield play has been a joy to watch, while his ability to get forward and score goals has proved an added bonus.

In February 2001 he was rewarded with a one-year extension to his contract and during an unforgettable climax to the season McAllister achieved cult-hero status among Liverpudlians with a succession of vital goals as an unprecedented cup treble and much-coveted place in the Champions League were secured.

'Gary Mac' won his first medal when he came on as a substitute in the Worthington Cup Final and scored a penalty in the shoot-out victory over Birmingham City.

The moment he will always be remembered for by all Liverpool fans was Monday, April 16th at Goodison Park. 94 minutes were on the clock, Liverpool had a free-kick and from 44-yards out McAllister struck a superb free-kick into the net to send the Red half of Merseyside into complete delirium. What a way to win the derby and many have said it was the turning point of that season.

Three days later McAllister was the hero again when his cool penalty secured a 1-0 win over Barcelona at Anfield to reach the final of the UEFA Cup.

The FA Cup Final was next on the agenda. McAllister came off the bench to set up the equaliser for Michael Owen and the rest as they say is history.

Wednesday, May 16th was a truly amazing evening as Liverpool beat Alaves 5-4 to win the UEFA Cup in Dortmund. Gary Mac scored a penalty and set up three others, including the free-kick that led to the golden goal winner.

He started season 2001-2002 off in the way he left off winning more silverware. This time Liverpool won the Charity Shield with McAllister scoring a penalty in a 2-1 win over Manchester United.

He played in the Super Cup 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in Monaco as the medals just kept on coming.

Gary Mac was awarded the MBE for his services to football in December 2001.

McAllister then left Anfield to take up the role of player-manager of Coventry City, and ended his Liverpool career with an emotional send-off with a substitute appearance in the 5-0 win over Ipswich. The whole ground stood and applauded a true Kop hero who will never be forgotten.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka (Striker, loan 2001-2002)
Date of Birth: 14-3-1979
Birthplace: Paris
Debut : v Aston Villa, December 26th 2001 v Aston Villa. Won 2-1
1st team games: 21
1st team goals: 5
Other clubs: Paris St Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris St Germain.
International caps while with Liverpool: 1
International goals while with Liverpool:
Honours with Liverpool: None

PROFILE
Liverpool Football Club astounded everyone when they announced the loan signing of Nicolas Anelka in December 2001.

A product of the France's National Youth Academy, where he first worked under Gerard Houllier, Anelka began professional career began at his hometown club Paris St Germain in 1995.

He made his debut for the Parisian giants when only 16 but lack of first team opportunities resulted in him leaving for Arsenal two years later.

At Highbury his goals earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award and helped fire the Gunners to a League and FA Cup double in 1998.

He left Arsenal in controversial circumstances the following year to sign for Real Madrid but despite winning a Champions League medal his time at the Bernabau was also shrouded in controversy.

In July 2000 he rejoined Paris St Germain but has since struggled to rediscover the goalscoring form that earned him the reputation as one of Europe's top strikers.

With Liverpool short of firepower following the sale of Robbie Fowler, the Reds swooped to take Anelka on loan for the rest of the season, with the option of making the deal permanent during the summer.

Taking over the number nine jersey from Robbie Fowler he made his debut as a second half substitute in the Boxing Day win at Aston Villa and then a full debut in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Upton Park.

Highlights of his Liverpool career included an equalising goal in the Anfield Merseyside derby with Everton and a brilliant display in the 3-0 win over Newcastle United.

He signed off with a final day goal in the 5-0 Anfield win over Ipswich Town, which was to be his final appearance in a red shirt.

Gerard Houllier then decided against making Anelka's signing a permanent one.