PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Paul Ince

Paul Ince : Midfield – 1997-99
Date of Birth: 21/10/1967
Birthplace: Ilford
Debut: v Wimbledon. 9th August 1997, drew 1-1
1st team games: 80
1st team goals: 17
Other clubs: West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Middlesbrough, Wolves.
Honours with Liverpool: None


PROFILE

The self confessed 'Guvnor' Paul Ince was signed by Roy Evans for £4.5 million from Inter Milan to add some steel to the midfield and was seen by many as the ideal partner for Jamie Redknapp.

However Redknapp was injured for the first 10 games of the 1997-98 season and Ince partnered Michael Thomas in midfield. Former Manchester United star Ince shocked Manchester and Liverpool when he decided to join the Anfield club and was seen as the replacement for John Barnes who moved on to Newcastle.

The early days were encouraging as Ince settled in well and scored on his home debut but it was to end in disappointment as Leicester beat Liverpool 2-1.

In his first season at Liverpool the Reds finished third in the Premiership and Ince's best moment of the campaign was scoring a derby goal in a 1-1 draw with Everton at Anfield.

The following season there was a clash of personalities at the club between Ince and the new management of Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson. Ince struggled with consistency and found it hard to adapt to becoming the defensive midfielder Houllier wanted.

One pivotal moment in his final second season at the club was an FA Cup tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford. With 15 minutes left and Liverpool leading 1-0 Ince walked off the pitch to be replaced by Jason McAteer. Ince had played well and as soon as he left the field Liverpool threw the game away and lost 2-1. However he was roundly criticised by Liverpool fans who felt he could have stayed on the pitch and played through the pain barrier, rather than walk off demanding to be substituted.

He did end his Liverpool career on a high on the pitch, scoring a late equaliser against Manchester United at Anfield in front of the Kop as the Reds came back from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw. Ince also scored in his final game as Liverpool beat Wimbledon 3-0 at Anfield.

After leaving Liverpool he continued playing in the Premiership for Middlesbrough and later Wolves.