PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Steve Finnan

Steve Finnan
Date of Birth: 24/4/1976
Birthplace: Limerick, Ireland
Debut: August 17, 2003 v Chelsea
1st team games: 216
1st team goals: 1
Other clubs: Welling, Birmingham City, Notts County, Fulham, Espanyol
Honours with Liverpool: Champions League 2005, Super Cup 2005, FA Cup 2006, Charity Shield 2006


PROFILE
Right-back Steve Finnan was often described as an unsung hero during five years at Anfield – but you'll struggle to find a Kopite unwilling to sing his praises.

The Irishman was signed by Gerard Houllier in the summer of 2003. It was a long journey to the Premier League for Finnan, who began his career with non-league Welling United before turning professional with Birmingham City in 1995.

After only a handful of appearances he was on his way to Notts County, where a string of excellent performances attracted the attention of Fulham boss Kevin Keegan.

Finnan became a firm favourite at Craven Cottage following his £600,000 move in November 1998. Three years later he played a key role in the Londoners' promotion to the top flight.

Having made his international debut against Greece in April 2000, Mr Reliable had no problems adapting to the Premier League, and in 2001-02 he was selected in the PFA Team of the Year ahead of the likes of Gary Neville.

From there he appeared in all four of Ireland's matches during the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

Houllier was suitably impressed and swooped ahead of the 2003-04 season.

Finnan made his Reds debut in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on August 17, 2003. However, a series of injuries disrupted his first year on Merseyside, and the appointment of a new manager in the summer of 2004 prompted some to cast doubt on his future at the club.

The arrival of Spanish defender Josemi did nothing to strengthen the right-back's position, but his ultra-professionalism and composed defending won the day.

The number three started the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, though injury meant he was forced to withdraw at half-time.

In May 2007 he featured in his second European Cup final, playing 88 minutes before Benitez introduced Alvaro Arbeloa. Unbeknown to Finnan, the switch was a sign of things to come.

A year later, after increasing amounts of time on the bench, the likeable defender was sold to La Liga side Espanyol.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Danny Guthrie

Danny Guthrie : Midfielder
Date of Birth: 18/04/1987
Birthplace: Shrewsbury
Debut : v Reading, October 26, 2006, League Cup, won 4-3
1st team games: 7
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: Manchester United, Southampton, Bolton, Newcastle



PROFILE
Danny Guthrie was an Academy graduate who went on to play seven first-team games under Rafa Benitez.

The Shrewsbury-born midfielder was brought to Anfield after being released by Manchester United aged 15.

His competitive debut for the Reds came as a 62nd minute substitute in a League Cup match against Reading in October 2006.

The highlight of Guthrie's brief spell in the first-team squad came with a start in the Ataturk Stadium in December 2006 when Liverpool took on Galatasaray in the Champions League group stages.

In March 2007 he signed for Southampton on emergency loan, playing 12 games for the south coast side.

Instead of returning to Melwood ahead of the 2007-08 campaign, Guthrie headed for the Reebok Stadium where he could experience regular top-flight football.

His performances during 28 appearances for Bolton impressed Kop icon Kevin Keegan so much that he splashed the cash to bring the youngster to Newcastle in July 2008.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch : Striker
Date of Birth: 30/01/1981
Birthplace: Macclesfield
Debut : v FBK Kaunas, July 20, 2005, Champions League qualifier, won 3-1
1st team games: 135
1st team goals: 42
Other clubs: Dulwich Hamlet, IFK Hassleholm, QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich, Southampton
International caps while with Liverpool: 27
International goals while with Liverpool: 14
Honours with Liverpool: FA Cup (2006), Charity Shield (2006)

PROFILE
Striker Peter Crouch became a cult hero after joining the Rafalution in the summer of 2005.

Many questioned Rafa Benitez's decision to pay Southampton approximately £7million for a player whose career had seen him jump around the Football League.

An incredible 19 games without a goal after arriving at Anfield did little to ease concerns, though in this time the Kop caught a glimpse of something that made Crouch stand out - and it wasn't just his 6ft 7 frame.

Despite being one of the tallest players ever to pull on a red jersey, the likeable frontman possessed an assured touch and a work ethic second only perhaps to teammate Dirk Kuyt.

It didn't take long for the faithful to devise the humorous "He's big, he's red, his feet stick out the bed" chant.

After breaking his duck with a brace against Wigan (the first of which had to go to the dubious goals panel after a freak deflection), the goals started to flow.

One of the most memorable was a winner in a fifth round FA Cup tie against Manchester United in January 2006. The Reds went on to win the competition in Cardiff, with Crouch getting the assist for Liverpool's second against West Ham.

Meanwhile, the Anfield number 15 was establishing himself as an England regular and was named in the 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

He scored in a warm-up game against Hungary and celebrated with his much-publicised robot dance. Four days later he bagged a hat-trick against Jamaica despite fluffing a penalty.

With Wayne Rooney injured, the Liverpool man partnered Michael Owen in the World Cup opener against Paraguay. He kept his place for the follow up versus Trinidad and Tobago, during which he hit his first competitive international goal. Crouch made two further substitute appearances in the competition.

The start of the 2006-07 season saw him head the winner in the Community Shield triumph over Chelsea, while under new coach Steve McClaren he became the first England player to score 10 in a calendar year thanks to braces against Greece and Andorra.

In September 2006 Crouch scored perhaps his best ever goal, a stunning scissor kick at home to Galatasaray in the Champions League. It was a trick he would repeat just a few months later against Bolton Wanderers.

A broken nose sustained versus Sheffield United interrupted his second season on Merseyside, though he did go on to net his first club hat-trick against Arsenal in March 2007; one with his left foot, one with his right and another with his head.

Crouch was named as a substitute in the 2007 Champions League final in Athens, coming on for Javier Mascherano with 12 minutes to go. Sadly, his introduction wasn't enough to spark another incredible comeback.

There was further heartache the following November when he was part of the England side that failed to reach Euro 2008. The striker looked to have spared a nation's blushes when he equalised against Croatia at Wembley. All Steve McClaren's side needed to do was hold on - but they couldn't.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Fernando Torres at Anfield meant first-team starts were becoming more difficult to come by.

Despite being offered a new contract in the spring of 2008, Crouch decided the time was right to move on. It was Portsmouth who eventually won the race for his signature in July 2008.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Anthony Le Tallec

Anthony Le Tallec
Date of Birth: 3/10/1984
Birthplace: Hennebont, France
Debut : v Blackburn, September 13, 2003, Premier League, won 3-1
1st team games: 32
1st team goals: 1
Other clubs: Le Havre, St Etienne, Sunderland, Sochaux, Le Mans



PROFILE
Anthony Le Tallec was one of two 'French gems' brought to the club by Gerard Houllier but, like counterpart Florent Sinama Pongolle, his Anfield career never really took off.

Great things were expected of Le Tallec, for whom the word 'starlet' seemed to have been invented.

Such was his potential that he was snapped up by Le Havre aged just eight. The youngster came to the world's attention in May 2001 when he scored five goals in helping France reach the European Under-16 Championships final.

Three months later, aged 16, he made his club debut versus Grenoble. An incredible year was capped in September when France won the Under-17s' World Cup in England. Le Tallec was voted the tournament's second best player (behind Pongolle).

Houllier quickly pounced, signing the prodigious pair but allowing them to spend another two years in France to aid their development.

A wave of excitement flooded Anfield when they were finally unveiled in 2003 - though Le Tallec went on to amass just 32 appearances in a five-year Liverpool career.

The highlight undoubtedly came when he was selected against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final in 2005 - and put in a great show.

Loan spells at St Etienne, Sunderland, Sochaux and Le Mans followed, the latter being made permanent in July 2008.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell
Date of Birth: 22/09/1978
Birthplace: Sydney, Australia
Debut : v Chelsea, August 17, 2003, Premier League, lost 2-1
1st team games: 138
1st team goals: 16
Other clubs: Leeds United
International caps: 20
International goals: 8
Honours with Liverpool: Champions League (2005), FA Cup (2006)

PROFILE
Harry Kewell was a player who threatened to deliver so much in a red shirt - but ultimately his stay at Liverpool will be filed under 'frustrating'.

A succession of long-term injuries prevented him reproducing the form witnessed at former club Leeds, where the Aussie winger had established himself as one of the Premiership's top talents.

Kewell's time in Yorkshire saw him voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 2000 before his love affair with the club came to an end in 2003.

Having turned down a move to Manchester United, the would-be Australia captain made his Reds debut in front of the Kop against Chelsea on August 17, 2003.

Kewell went on to score 11 goals in 49 games in his first season at Anfield - easily his best tally.

The following campaign saw him bag a single goal in 31 appearances. He was a shock starter in the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul, though injury meant he was replaced by Vladimir Smicer after just 23 minutes.

A year later, after scoring three goals in 41 appearances during the 2005-06 season, fate again contrived against the playmaker as injury forced him to be substituted half way through the FA Cup final victory over West Ham.

Despite this, Kewell was fit in time for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. It was the first time Australia had qualified for the competition since 1974, and the Liverpool man was there in the opening game against Japan.

After a substitute appearance versus Brazil, Kewell scored a crucial equalising goal against Croatia which took his side into the second round. Unfortunately, another spell in the treatment room meant he played no part in the defeat to eventual winners Italy - nor indeed most of the following season back in England.

The winger returned to action in the penultimate league game of 2006-07 at Craven Cottage and went on to feature as a second-half substitute in the Champions League final against AC Milan.

Kewell now had a year to save his stuttering Reds career - he couldn't. More injuries prevented him playing any meaningful role in 2007-08 and his contract was not renewed.

He left Melwood for the final time in May 2008 wondering 'what might have been'.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - John Arne Riise

John Arne Riise : Defender
Date of Birth: 24-09-1980
Birthplace: Molde, Norway
Debut : Aug 12 2001, Charity Shield v Man Utd
1st team games: 347
1st team goals: 31
Other clubs: Aalesund, Monaco
International caps: 71
International goals: 8
Honours with Liverpool: FA Charity Shield 2001, UEFA Super Cup 2001, Worthington Cup 2003, Champions League 2005, FA Cup 2006, FA Community Shield 2006.

PROFILE
Left-back John Arne Riise notched up well over 300 appearances during a seven-year association with the club through the Houllier and Benitez eras.

The Norwegian, who was famed for a fierce shot, joined Liverpool for approximately £4million in June 2001 having previously played for Aalesunds FK and Monaco.

His debut came in the Charity Shield against Manchester United on August 12, and it was in a fixture against the same opponents three months later that the flame-haired defender won a place in the heart of every Liverpool fan. From then until the end of his Anfield career, the Kop sang: "John Arne Riise, ooh, ah, I want to know how you scored that goal."

The full-back, who could also play left-midfield, remained a first-team regular as the Rafalution began in 2004.

It was he who opened the scoring against Chelsea in the 2005 Carling Cup final with a volley on 45 seconds - the fastest goal in the fixture's history.

During the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, Riise provided the cross for Steven Gerrard to head home on 54 minutes - and in doing so helped trigger the greatest comeback European football has ever witnessed. The fact his penalty was saved by Dida in the shoot-out is now a historical insignificance.

The following season was again full of highlights, most notably another opening goal against Chelsea - this time in an FA Cup semi-final.

Three weeks later he erased memories of the Istanbul penalty miss by converting his spot kick to help the Reds clinch their seventh FA Cup.

Riise continued his knack of scoring against Jose Mourinho's men at the start of the 2006-07 campaign, this time in the Community Shield. The full-back ran from inside his own half before lashing the ball beyond Carlo Cudicini to open the scores. Liverpool went on to win the match 2-1.

Ironically, the Scandinavian's last notable act in a red shirt again saw him net against Chelsea -- though this time it was at the wrong end to give the Blues a priceless away goal in the first leg of the 2007-08 Champions League semi-finals.

Riise was sold to Italian side AS Roma in June 2008.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Momo Sissoko

Momo Sissoko : Midfielder
Date of Birth: 22/01/1985
Birthplace: Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
Debut : July 26, 2005 v FBK Kaunas (A) Champions League qualifier: Won 3-1
1st team games: 86
1st team goals: 1
Other clubs: Auxerre, Valencia, Juventus
International caps while with Liverpool: 13
International goals while with Liverpool: 1
Honours with Liverpool: European Super Cup 2005-06, FA Cup 2005-06, Charity Shield 2006-07

PROFILE
Energetic midfielder Mohamed 'Momo' Sissoko spent nearly three years at Anfield after joining from Valencia in the summer of 2005.

The Malian had played under Rafa Benitez in Spain so it was no surprise when he chose Liverpool over the likes of Everton.

Benitez dared compare his new signing with Arsenal star Patrick Vieira - and the fans certainly weren't disappointed in his first two seasons.

Sissoko added steel previously lacking from the Liverpool midfield, though his first season on Merseyside was interrupted by a career-threatening eye injury sustained in a challenge with Benfica's Beto.

After just a month on the sidelines the African made a shock return against Birmingham. On doctors orders he donned protective goggles - though they didn't make it to half-time.

Two months later Sissoko put in a man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup final against West Ham. The accolade would have been his but for the last-minute heroics of captain Steven Gerrard. Never mind; following a summer's break he was back at Cardiff for the Community Shield, and this time he did walk away with all the plaudits.

After an impressive start to the 2006-07 season, the Liverpool number 22 was back on the stretcher when he dislocated his shoulder against Birmingham. The injury ruled him out for three months.

Come February the African was back and putting in another stunning display, this time in the Nou Camp as the Reds beat Barcelona 2-1. The return leg saw him nearly break his goalscoring duck for the club - but he was denied by the crossbar.

Supporters would have to wait until the start of the 2007-08 season to see Sissoko get off the mark - and it proved to be a landmark goal for Liverpool. His 25-yard drive against Roy Keane's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light was the club's 7,000th league goal.

Despite this, the practicing Muslim was struggling to recapture the form he showed prior to his injuries and was sold to Juventus in January 2008 for a fee believed to be more than £8million.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Jan Kromkamp

Jan Kromkamp : Defender
Date of Birth: 17-08-1980
Birthplace: Makkinga, Holland
Debut : v Luton Town, January 7th 2006. FA Cup 3rd round. Won 5-3
1st team games: 18
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: Go Ahead Eagles, AZ67 Alkmaar, Villarreal.
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: FA Cup 2006.

PROFILE

Dutch international right back Jan Kromkamp won an FA Cup winners medal during his short spell with Liverpool in 2006.

Kromkamp was Rafael Benitez's first signing of 2006 when he arrived at Anfield during the transfer window in a swop deal that saw Spaniard Josemi move to Villarreal.

He made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the epic FA Cup 5-3 win over Luton in January 2006 and went on to pick up an FA Cup winners medal in his first season at Anfield. He played his part in the final when he came on as a substitute and brought some fresh energy to the team on the right side of midfield.

Born in Makkinga, Holland, he started his professional career as a midfielder with Go Ahead Eagles in 1998, for whom he scored five goals in 61 appearances before joining AZ67 Alkmaar.

His spell in La Liga with Villarreal was brief. After joining them during the summer of 2005 he found it hard to settle and made just a handful of appearances before Liverpool swooped.

Kromkamp was sold by Benitez to PSV Eindhoven in September 2006.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Stephen Warnock

Date of Birth: 12-12-1981
Birthplace: Ormskirk.
Debut : -
1st team games: 67
1st team goals: 1
Other clubs: Bradford City loan, Coventry City loan.
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: Super Cup 2005

PROFILE

Stephen Warnock was a solid and reliable performer at left back who never let anyone down when called upon for first team duty.

He came through the Academy and bounced back from two broken legs to achieve his dream of breaking into the Liverpool first team.

Despite earning rave reports in the reserve team, Warnock was never given a fair chance under Gerard Houllier and had two season long loan spells with Bradford City and Coventry City. Indeed during his spell at Coventry he was named the supporters Player of the Season.

It was the summer of 2004 when Warnock, who was pondering his Liverpool future, had a new lease of life at Anfield under Rafael Benitez. The player was included for the pre-season tour of the USA and Canada and played in all three of the matches.

Warnock then made his Liverpool debut as an 80th minute substitute for Steven Gerrard during the Champions League qualifier in Graz. He then started in Olympiacos but his most memorable game was away in Bayer Leverkusen on the road to Istanbul. He had a storming game which was epitomised in stoppage time when he made a superb tackle in stoppage time to stop the Germans scoring.

Despite being a regular in the squad for the majority of the 2004/2005 season he then suffered major disappointment when he wasn't included in the party for the Champions League final against AC Milan.

In the following season 2005/2006 Warnock was an unused substitute in the Super Cup final when Liverpool beat CSKA Moscow 3-1 in Monaco, but was again left out of the squad for the 2006 FA Cup final in Cardiff.

Unfortunately a series of niggling injuries restricted Warnock's progress at Anfield and he left to join Blackburn Rovers in January 2007.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Bolo Zenden

Date of Birth: 15/08/1976
Birthplace: Maastricht
Debut : v TNS. July 13th 2005, Champions League qualifier. Won 3-0
1st team games: 47
1st team goals: 2
Other clubs: PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough.
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: UEFA Super Cup 2005, FA Community Shield 2006.

PROFILE

Versatile Dutch international Boudewijn Zenden was captured on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in July 2005 and played his part in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final in 2007.

Zenden, who was commonly known as Bolo, became the third Dutchman to play for Liverpool following in the footsteps of Sander Westerveld and Erik Meijer. He had an injury hit spell at Anfield but he was a useful outlet for Rafael Benitez because he could play central midfield, left midfield and even played at left back on a few occasions.

The Dutchman's best moment was the 2007 Champions League semi-final at Anfield. He was a surprise choice to start the game but he did a good job on the left side of midfield and scored a penalty in the shoot-out that Liverpool went on to win.

He also played in the Champions League final against AC Milan and in the 2005 Super Cup final he showed his versatility by playing in three positions during the win over CSKA Moscow in Monaco.

Bolo began his career at PSV Eindhoven and collected a Dutch Championship winner's medal in 1996, before he moved to Spanish giants Barcelona. Benitez first came across Zenden when he played for Barcelona and helped the Catalan club win the Spanish title in his first season at the Nou Camp.

He then moved to the Premiership in 2001 when he joined Chelsea for a fee of 7.5 million, before spending the whole of the 2003/04 season on loan with Middlesbrough, scoring the winner against Bolton Wanderers in the Carling Cup final as the club won their first ever major trophy.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Djibril Cisse

Date of Birth: 12/08/1981
Birthplace: Arles, France
Debut : v Grazer AK. 10th August 2004, Champions League qualifier. Won 2-0
1st team games: 79
1st team goals: 24
Other clubs: Auxerre, Marseille
International caps while with Liverpool: 32
International goals while with Liverpool: 9
Honours with Liverpool: UEFA Champions League (2005), UEFA Super Cup (2005), FA Cup (2006)

PROFILE

Flamboyant striker Djibril Cisse became a club record signing when Liverpool paid £14 million for his services in July 2004 and he went on to score in three major cup finals for the club.

Regarded as one of the top strikers in Europe, he was signed by Gerard Houllier, even though the Frenchman had left before the player arrived at Anfield.

The speedy striker had awful luck on signing for the Reds when he broke his leg during a match at Blackburn on October 30th 2004. He then made an amazing recovery and was back in the nick of time to score a vital penalty in the Champions League shoot-out win over AC Milan.

The following season he came off the bench to help Liverpool win the UEFA Super Cup when he scored twice and set up another goal for Luis Garcia in the 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow.

His last game for Liverpool ended in glory too when he achieved a dream of scoring in three cup finals in a red shirt. He scored a fantastic goal as Liverpool beat West Ham in Cardiff to win the FA Cup.

Unfortunately for the player he was then ruled out of the 2006 World Cup Finals when he broke his ankle for a second time in the space of two years.

The striker then recovered and spent the 2006/2007 season on loan at Marseille. The move was then made permanent in the summer of 2007.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - David Raven

David Raven Defender
Date of Birth: 10-03-1985
Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : V Tottenham Hotspur. December 1st 2004, Carling Cup quarter-final
1st team games: 4
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: -
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE

Right back David Raven came through the Academy and was given his first team chance by Rafael Benitez during the run to the Carling Cup final in 2005.

Raven made his first team debut during the Carling Cup tie at Tottenham in December 2004 and made one memorable goal saving tackle in particular to deny Jermaine Defoe a certain goal. Liverpool won the game on penalties and Raven was named Man of the Match

A big Liverpool fan who swopped a potential career as a musician to ply his trade in football, Raven was captain of the England youth team.

In search of regular first team football he left Anfield to join Carlisle United in the summer of 2006.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Darren Potter

Darren Potter : Midfield
Date of Birth: 21-12-1984
Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : v Grazer AK, August 10th 2004. Champions League qualifier. Won 2-0
1st team games: 17
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: -
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Darren Potter came through from the Academy and made his first team breakthrough in the 2004/2005 season under Rafael Benitez.

The midfielder, who was released by Everton as a youngster, made his debut in the Champions League qualifier with Graz in August 2004 when he came on as a substitute for Steve Finnan. Potter then made his full debut in the second leg 1-0 defeat.

He saw regular action in the Carling Cup run in 2004 and produced some impressive performances against the likes of Tottenham, Middlesbrough and Millwall as the Reds reached the final before they lost 3-2 to Chelsea.

He enjoyed a loan spell with Southampton during the 2005/2006 season before moving to Wolves.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Gabriel Paletta

Gabriel Paletta : Defender
Date of Birth: 15/02/1986
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Debut : v Reading, October 25, 2006 at Anfield. Won 4-3
1st team games: 8
1st team goals: 1
Other clubs: Banfield, Boca Juniors
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE

Defender Gabriel Paletta became the second Argentinian to sign for Liverpool after Mauricio Pellegrino in the summer of 2006.

The centre-back was a product of the Banfield youth system, breaking into the first team in 2005. He helped his country win the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships, playing in all seven games alongside the likes of Lionel Messi.

From there, most presumed Paletta would join Argentine giants River Plate. Indeed, the club had already reserved the number six shirt for him before Liverpool swooped.

His no-nonsense approach to the game led to comparisons with club legend Jamie Carragher during the early days of his Anfield career. Unfortunately, such talk proved premature.

Paletta played just eight games during his single season on Merseyside after making his debut in the League Cup against Reading.

Still, he did join an exclusive group of players who scored on their Reds debut (Stan Collymore, Nigel Clough – meet Gabriel Paletta).

The defender left Liverpool for Boca Juniors in August 2007.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Paul Jones

Paul Jones : Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 18-04-1967
Birthplace: Chirk
Debut : v Aston Villa. 10th January 2004. Premiership. Won 1-0
1st team games: 2
1st team goals: -
Other clubs: Kidderminster Harriers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County, Southampton, Watford, Millwall, QPR.
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE

Welsh international goalkeeper Paul Jones played two games for Liverpool during a short loan spell as cover for the injured Jerzy Dudek in 2004.

A former farmer who grew up supporting Liverpool, Jones, who was out of favour at Southampton, fulfilled an ambition to play for his boyhood favourites when Gerard Houllier came calling.

Dudek and Chris Kirkland were both injured and Houllier felt third choice keeper Patrice Luzi wasn't experienced enough, so Jones got his unexpected chance.

He kept a clean sheet on his Liverpool debut as the Reds beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Anfield but in his second and final appearance Houllier's side lost 2-1 away at Tottenham.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Chris Kirkland

Chris Kirkland : Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 02/05/1981
Birthplace: Leicester
Debut : v Grimsby Town. October 9th 2001. Worthington Cup 3rd round, lost 2-1
1st team games: 45
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: -
International caps while with Liverpool: -
International goals while with Liverpool: -
Honours with Liverpool: -

PROFILE

To say Chris Kirkland's time at Anfield is a tale of what could have been would be an understatement.

He was signed by Gerard Houllier from Coventry City on the last day of August 2001, and was recognised by many football pundits as one of the best young goalkeeper's to emerge in England for a while, but he suffered terrible misfortune with injury.

A troublesome back injury denied him a chance to become the regular number one at Anfield and he also suffered other injury problems.

Kirkland was part of a double goalkeeper deal that also saw Houllier bring Jerzy Dudek to the club. His big chance at Anfield arrived in the 2002/03 season when was given a chance when Dudek's form dipped. In a bad spell for the team Kirkland was the shining light at the end of the tunnel and produced some high standard displays. Unfortunately bad luck was just around the corner and a bad ankle injury sustained in an FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace in January 2003 saw him ruled out for the season.

He then returned briefly only to find himself on the sidelines again after breaking both his finger wrist respectively in a freak training ground collision.

Despite the bad misfortune he did play in a game that will live forever long in the memory banks at Anfield. Kirkland was part of the team that produced a fantastic comeback in the Champions League when the Reds beat Olympiacos 3-1 at Anfield in December 2004.

He left Liverpool in 2006 for Wigan Athletic and went on to win his first England cap.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Mark Gonzalez

Mark Gonzalez
Date of Birth: 10/07/1982
Birthplace: Durban, South Africa
Debut: 9th August 2006 v Maccabi Haifa (h) Champions
League qualifier: Won 2-1
1st team games: 36
1st team goals: 3
Other clubs: Universidad Catolica Santiago, Albacete. Real Sociedad.
Honours with Liverpool: Community Shield 2006

PROFILE

Winger Mark Gonzalez made an instant impression on his Liverpool debut when he came off the bench to score the winning goal in the Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa in August 2006.

The goal turned out to be a vital one in the end because it was the winning strike in a 2-1 success at Anfield, and a 3-2 aggregate victory for Rafael Benitez's side overall on the road to Athens.

The Chile international's arrival at Liverpool was actually delayed by one year. Rafael Benitez wanted to sign him for the start of the 2005/2006 season but his work permit was initially denied. The player then spent the campaign on loan at Real Sociedad before getting the green light to move to Anfield in the summer of 2006.

A left winger with pace to burn, Gonzalez had an injury hit solitary season at Anfield and at times found it hard to adapt to the physical side of the English game. He did score on his first Premiership start for the Reds against Tottenham at the Kop end, and then went on to be an unused substitute for the Champions League final in Athens.

Gonzalez returned to Spain and signed for Real Betis in July 2007.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy
Date of Birth: 13/07/1979
Birthplace: Cardiff
Debut: 9th August 2006 v Maccabi Haifa (H): Champions League qualifier. Won 2-1
1st team games: 42
1st team goals: 9
International caps while with Liverpool: 11
International goals while with Liverpool: 4
Other clubs: Norwich City, Coventry City, Newcastle United, Celtic loan, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United.
Honours with Liverpool: Community Shield 2006.

PROFILE

Boyhood Liverpool fan Craig Bellamy fulfilled a dream when he left Blackburn Rovers to join the Rafalution at Anfield in July 2006, and followed in the footsteps of the likes of Ian Rush, John Toshack and Dean Saunders as a Welsh international striker at Anfield.

Although his career at Anfield only lasted one season, Bellamy's best Anfield memory was his performance at the Nou Camp when Liverpool beat Barcelona 2-1 in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Welsh international scored the equaliser and then set up John Riise for the winning goal.

A player blessed with great pace, Bellamy scored on his Liverpool debut against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League qualifier but he never quite hit the heights consistently in a red shirt.

The previous season Bellamy had been in terrific form for Blackburn Rovers and scored 17 goals which prompted Benitez to swoop for his signature.

After springing to prominence at Norwich City then Coventry City it was under Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle that Bellamy flourished into one of the most feared strikers in the Premiership. He was a big hit with the Toon Army, but however, he had a much publicised bust-up with former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness during the Scot's traumatic spell in the hot seat at St James' Park. He scored 43 goals in 128 appearances for Newcastle.

After a loan spell with Celtic he had the chance to join Everton just before the start of the 2005/06 season, but decided against a move following a meeting with Toffees boss David Moyes. He then teamed up with his former international manager Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers and proved a big success at Ewood Park before his dream move to Anfield came about.

He signed for West Ham in July 2007.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Luis Javier Garcia Sanz

Luis Javier Garcia Sanz
Date of Birth: 24/6/1978
Birthplace: Badalona, Spain
Debut : 29th August 2004 v Botlon Wanderers (a) Premiership: lost 0-1
1st team games: 121
1st team goals: 30
Other clubs: Real Vallodilid, CD Toledo (loan), CD Tenerife (loan), Atletico Madrid, Barcelona
International caps while with Liverpool: 18
International goals while with Liverpool: 4
Honours with Liverpool: Champions League(2005), Super Cup (2005), Community Shield (2006)

PROFILE

He didn't drink sangria, but Luis Garcia came from Barca and most definitely brought us plenty of joy in his short but successful career at Liverpool.

Without doubt he proved himself as the little man for the big occasion and, in turn, won the hearts of almost every Liverpudlian.

His critics argued he was lightweight, drifts in and out of games and didn't contribute enough on a consistent basis but try balancing that against the fact that in just three years at the club the diminutive Spaniard netted some of the most memorable and important goals in Liverpool history and there's no argument.

Rafael Benitez knew what he was getting when he swooped to sign him from Barcelona at the start of his first full season at the Anfield helm. Having worked with him at Tenerife, Benitez was confident he'd added a creative spark to the team and that was certainly the case.

The number ten shirt at Liverpool has long been associated with exciting, skilful players and Garcia fulfilled this reputation. A tricky attacker who could beat defenders and set up goals as well as score them, Garcia was capable of filling a variety of forward positions – left side, right side or through the middle in the 'hole' just behind the strikers.

Despite his small frame he was more than adept in the air but it was with the ball at his feet that he was at his mesmerising best. His goalscoring instincts were evident on his first game for the club, when in a 1-0 defeat at Bolton he had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed but he soon made up for that disappointment.

During Liverpool's glorious march to Champions League glory in 2004/05 Garcia registered an impressive five goals, including two that Kopites will never tire of replaying over and over again, albeit for different reasons – a spectacular dipping 30-yarder that set up victory over Juventus in the quarter-final and the less spectacular but more crucial scrappy effort that ultimately defeated Chelsea in the semi-final.

Throw in a decisive strike in the Merseyside derby and it's easy to see why Garcia became such a firm favourite of the fans. After such a successful first season at the club, his second was always going to be difficult but while, on the whole, he was probably slightly less effective, his remarkable knack of netting in big games continued and the now famous 'Luis Garcia' song, to the tune of 'You Are My Sunshine' regularly rang around Anfield.

Another derby goal raised the roof of the Kop once again, while Chelsea were made to suffer at the hands of little Luis for a second time in a major semi-final, this time in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

Although suspension ruled him out of contention for a place in the FA Cup Final victory over West Ham, you got the impression that with Garcia in the team anything was possible. His trademark thumb-sucking goal celebration was mimicked by kids all over Merseyside and he was well on his way to achieving cult-status among those who sat on the Kop.

Unfortunately, he then suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in a Carling Cup-tie at home to Arsenal and the sight of him being stretchered off the Anfield pitch was to be the last we'd see of him in a red shirt. During the summer of 2007 he surprisingly returned to Spain to rejoin Atletico Madrid.

He may only be five foot seven but thanks to Luis Garcia Liverpool fans were taken to football heaven and back more than once. And for that, he'll forever be fondly remembered at Anfield.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Daniele Padelli

Daniele Padelli

Date of Birth: 25/10/1985
Birthplace: Lecco, Italy
Total games : 1
Total goals : 0
Former Clubs : Sampdoria, Crotone





PROFILE

Goalkeeper Daniele Padelli returned to Sampdoria in June 2007 after his loan spell at Anfield came to an end.

The Italian Under-21 international joined Liverpool in January 2007 and made his one first team appearance in the Reds' final Premiership game of the season in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic.

Padelli was a regular member of Gary Ablett's Reserve side after moving to Anfield and made seven appearances for the second string.