Markus Babbel : Defender 2000-2004Date of Birth: 08/09/1972
Birthplace: Munich
1st team games: 73
1st team goals: 6
Other clubs: Bayern Munich
International caps : 51
International goals : 1
PROFILE
Markus Babbel had a fantastic debut season at his beloved Anfield when he played a major role in the treble success and scored some memorable goals and left with everyone's best wishes when he returned to Germany to join vfb Stuttgart in July 2004.
Markus arrived at Anfield on a Bosman-style free transfer in the summer of 2000 from Bayern Munich, having helped the most famous of all German clubs to a domestic League and Cup double in his final season.
Bavarian born, Babbel made his name with Bayern but also had a spell with Hamburg. A German international since 1995, making his debut in a friendly against Spain in February of that year, he was a key contributor to Germany's Euro 96 triumph in England.
Babbel was one of Liverpool's key performers during the 2000/01 treble season and was outstanding as an attacking right back with a memorable derby goal against Everton amongst his highlights. Markus also scored in the UEFA Cup Final win over Alaves in Dortmund.
After picking up five medals and adding a new dimension to Liverpool's play as an attacking right back, sadly the following season 2001/02 Babbel was laid down with the potentially deadly virus Guillain-Barre Syndrome which kept him out of action for practically the whole of the 2001/02 season.
He tried to make a comeback in the 2002/03 campaign but struggled to make an impact and he wasn't the same player. The pace of the game and the physical side saw Babbel struggle as he chased full fitness again, and spent most of the season in the reserves.
After playing pre-season in 2003/04 Gerard Houllier shipped Babbel off to Blackburn Rovers on a season's loan.
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