Rightback
0 Goals
2 Appearances (as of the end of 2008-2009)
Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2008 for free
BACKGROUND BEFORE LFC
Philipp Degen was a flying rightback for Basel and Borussia Dortmund before joining the Reds in 2008, but much like his 2008-2009 season, his career has been set back considerably by injuries. He is actually quite athletic and talented, but has been marred with problems with, well, being frail and injury-prone. He spent three seasons with Basel, winning three titles and playing about 80 matches for them. Through this, he gained a good reputation and was signed up by Germany’s Borussia Dortmund. In 3 seasons at Dortmund, he was often hurt and played only 68 matches. At the end of his contract, Degen was not signed back on by the Germans and Rafa took him on a free. Degen has played for Switzerland before Liverpool, as well, and has 29 caps to his name.
SIGNING FOR, AND SETTLING INTO, LFC
Rafa signed Degen on a free in the summer of 2008, around the same time as Andrea Dossena. With Alvaro Arbeloa as our sole right back after Finnan was sold to Espanyol, Degen was taken on to provide competition. It is fair to say he hasn’t settled and has been struck by a horrendous injury curse. In pre-season he got hurt, then in his first match against Crewe he broke his ribs in a collision with Hyypia and was out for two months. On his return, he broke his metatarsal in a 2-4 League Cup loss to Tottenham. On his comeback in January, he suffered the same injury in a reserve match against Manchester United… much like Daniel Agger did when he tried to recover from the same injury. Ugh…
STYLE OF PLAY
From the brief moments he has had on the pitch, it is quite apparent that Philipp Degen is an attacking rightback who LOVES to get forward and add to the offense. Unfortunately, his defensive positioning is quite “offensive” as well. He often lets the opposition through, which was evident against Tottenham when many of the goals came down their left side… also known as our RIGHT side. Which is where Degen plays.
BEST MOMENTS
Let’s be frank here… there haven’t been any. Really. Here’s a quote from the Tottenham match from the man himself:
“I simply burst into tears in the dressing-room. Tottenham’s Gareth Bale made a bad challenge on me, and I did not even get a penalty. “But the bone in my foot is torn apart, and I will be out another four to six weeks. It is the saddest event of my life – I keep asking myself if I did something wrong in a past life.”
TOUGH TIMES
Read the above quote. It says it all! Three injuries in one season, and all the supporters think he’s a joke. I’d say the whole ride has been a tough time!
2008-2009 SEASON VERDICT
Two appearances, three injuries, and five goals conceded in the two appearances. In other words: “Incomplete” or “Fail.”
LFC CAREER VERDICT
“Sell Degen.” Enough said. Our medical staff should concentrate on fixing those who will get better, not on those who continue to get worse. I feel for the guy, but this is a cut-throat business.
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