History: 1999-2000 Season Review

SEASON SUMMARY

My first season of supporting Liverpool Football Club was in 1999-2000, a season that saw Liverpool recover their status as a club that mattered on the English scene after a few seasons of falling apart. As a casual viewer in 1998-1999, I wouldn’t have known any better. I just loved watching Michael Owen, but by the end of 1998-1999, I realized that I needed a club. It wasn’t like American sports. Picking Liverpool was a pretty easy choice. I wanted an underdog, Owen was my favorite player, and I could immediately tell that Manchester United were the Yankees of the Premiership. Little did I know that I was picking the club that had indeed won the most trophies in their history. But in 1999, this was almost turning into ancient history. Gerard Houllier came in the year before, and it was clear that some major transformations were needed. Having had finished 7th in 1998-1999, Liverpool needed a facelift. Some of it was enforced, with legend Steve McManaman on his way out, but others were definitely by choice, including the shipping out of Paul Ince, Karlheinz Riedle, and of course David James. This signalled a change of direction for the club. We’d move away from purely attacking players and head towards a direction of stability.

That first change of direction came with the crucial signings of Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypia, two players who would completely change the course Liverpool had been on. Then came Dietmar Hamann, who was just as talented as Ince, but had far more inclinations to defend rather than attack. Though Steve McManaman’s replacement (Vladimir Smicer) didn’t impress initially, Liverpool were showing fairly early on that we’d survive. With an attacking line of Owen, Fowler, and Titi Camara, Liverpool were scoring goals and defeating the likes of Arsenal (twice!), Leeds United (also twice!), and Chelsea. But it wasn’t in attack, as mentioned, earlier, that showed how the club were transforming. LFC didn’t progress very far in the cups, but conceding only 36 goals in 43 matches was a proud statistic, particularly given the 61 goals given up in 48 matches in 1998-1999. A solid core of Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher, Heggem, Hamann and Westerveld gave Liverpool a backbone that only Carragher and Hamann had been around for in the previous season. Gerard Houllier was working his magic, and the club we’d go on to watch and enjoy over the next few seasons was being formed.

The season started off with incredibly mixed results. Wins over Sheffield Wednesday, Arsenal, Leeds and Chelsea were offset by unacceptable losses to Watford, Middlesbrough, and Everton, as well as a predictable loss to Manchester United. But after that rocky start, Liverpool caught on fire and began to charge up the table. One major reason for that was the bleeding in of Steven Gerrard, as well as the increased health of Michael Owen, but most importantly some goals and clean sheets were becoming more common. Those two began to give the team some fire, and the wins were just pouring in. At one point during the winter, we won 7 matches in 9 attempts. This was unheard of the season before. It was an incredible run, and the form of Titi Camara was at the center of it. Though Camara’s career at the club would be a “one-season-wonder,” it was quite the wonder. Great goals, 10 in all, would come mostly during the first part of the season… but it was crucial in setting up Liverpool for qualifying for European qualification. In March, with this looking a certainty and Liverpool becoming popular again, we signed Emile Heskey for a record fee of 11 mil from Leicester City. This exciting striker prospect paid instant dividends, as we won five straight matches with him in the side and climbed all the way to 2nd in the title. He scored three goals, but his connection with Owen was looking VERY frightening. Sadly, the season fizzled out with two draws, three losses, and NO goals in the last five matches, and we finished 4th. But the signs were there that we’d be a force in England once again! Turns out it was a great time to become a Liverpool supporter!!!

TOP 5 MOMENTS

5) Westerveld v. Jeffers… the ultimate Merseyside Derby “Slap Fight!”

Sander Westerveld versus Francis Jeffers… a classic moment in Merseyside Derby history.The two clashed after the whistle had been blown, and both took exception, taking turns over-reacting and slapping one another, with Jeffers even getting a punch in there! Both were sent off for their spat, with Westerveld being the one looking like the “nancy” in the situation. Many believed he had no command in the box, and this was no more evident than in this littel fight. Steve Staunton was forced to come on as a goalkeeper with all three substitutions being used, but he made some wonderful saves along the way!

4) 3-1 Win Over Leeds at Anfield… three long-range BELTERS.

Dietmar Hamann. Patrik Berger. Danny Murphy. What comes to mind when you see those three names together? Wondergoals, perhaps? Long distance crackerjacks? YOU BET! And this match against Leeds at Anfield saw all three of them do exactly that. Hamann grabbed his first goal for the club in this fixture with a deflected free kick from 35 yards out. Then, in the second half, Patrik Berger scored an incredible laserbeam of a shot from 25 yards in front of the Kop to make it 2-1, after Leeds had equalized through Alan Smith. To wrap it up, Danny Murphy scored an unbelievable goal from nearly 35 yards that rocketed into the top corner. Nobody picked him up, so why not lace one? Fantastic quality from the Reds, who were beginning to string together excellent results against the top teams.

3) Titi Camara scores and cries over the death of his father in a 1-0 win over West Ham

Titi Camara had 10 fantastic goals for Liverpool, and although this was probably the least accomplished finish of the bunch, it was certainly the most meaningful. A mistake from Rio Ferdinand allowed for Camara to bundle home the winner, but the reaction to the goal by Camara is what really stands out. He crumpled to the floor with hands over his face, in a show of raw, powerful emotion. So what happened? His father had died, and Titi had only heard of it HOURS before the match began. The character to not only play the match, but score the winner really won over the Liverpool supporters. Titi Camara may have only lasted a season at Anfield, but this was an unforgettable moment that will not be forgotten.

2) Sami Hyypia signs for Liverpool

There are certain signings that merit a place on the “top 5 moments list,” and this is indeed one of those signings. Without question, Sami Hyypia was the best signing outside of the academy Liverpool had made since John Barnes in 1987. Hyypia immediately looked like the finished article, reminding everyone of a certain Ron Yeats, who was Liverpool’s “tower of power” in the 1960s under Bill Shankly. Hyypia commanded the backlines with such success that Liverpool conceded 25 fewer goals than in the 1998-1999 season. Addtionally, he popped up with two goals and seemed to win every header that came his way. The leadership, composure, and presence that Hyypia provided was not only unexpected, but a major blessing for only 2 million pounds! Willem II are probably rueing the day we came in for him!!!

1) Doing the “Double” over Arsenal

This season saw Liverpool doing the “double” over Arsenal, with a 2-0 win at Anfield and a 1-0 win at Highbury. Liverpool hadn’t nicked any kind of result against Arsenal in three seasons, so this was definitely unexpected. In the August encounter against Arsenal, a wonder-goal from Robbie Fowler (30 yards out off of the bar and in) and a deflected second by Patrik Berger gave Liverpool the 3 points. A save by Westerveld from a Davor Suker penalty was icing on the cake. At Highbury, a lovely goal by Titi Camara, which was set up from a divine Steven Gerrard throughball gave us a 1-0 win. This was one of those matches that saw the birth of Steven Gerrard, but also signified that Liverpool were a force to be recokoned with.

TOP 10 BEST GOALS

10) Camara @ Leeds United

A broken one-two between Patrik Berger and Titi Camara produced an unexpected result as Liverpool faced Leeds at Elland Road towards the beginning of the 1999-2000 season. Darren Huckerby gave Leeds the lead, but Camara hit back with a rising, curling shot- without taking a step, mind you- from 20 yards out. The goal was quite interesting, because he struck it one-time off of the crossbar and in past Nigel Martyn, who was left helpless. It was one of several quality goals Camara would score in 99-00.

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9) Berger v. Leeds United

Leeds was the victim of several lovely Liverpool moments in 1999-2000, and Berger’s goal against Leeds at Anfield was just one of those highlights… but quite a nice one! Vladimir Smicer laid the ball off to Berger in front of the Kop stand with the Reds nodded at 1-1. It was a case of “Czech Mate,” as Berger unleashed a venomous strike with his famous left foot from 30 yards out into the upper side-netting into the far side, as he was standing at about 5 yards left-center and past the “D.” It was a goal of true, true quality.

(watch me! I am at 28 seconds)

8 ) Berger @ Manchester United

Patrik Berger was continuing to score fantastic goals for Liverpool in 1999-2000, and this free-kick against Manchester United was perhaps the most famous of the bunch. Wearing their green kit at Old Trafford, Liverpool were given a free-kick about 35 yards out and slightly right-center of the goal. There didn’t really appear to be that great of an angle for Berger to strike at goal, but Berger curled a masterpiece of a set-piece into the side netting of the goal past a helpless Raymond Van Der Gouw. United would go on to equalize, but the moment of the match was certainly the expertise in which Berger took that free kick!

(watch me! I’m at 2:48)

7) Camara @ Coventry City

They say that throw-ins are as deadly, if not more so, than corner kicks. This was one of those rare times that “they” are correct! Dominic Matteo’s throw-in was taken by Titi Camara against Coventry City by his boot, which he used to turn the Coventry defender. With the space he was given towards the inside, Camara rocketed a right-footed strike high into the far upper corner from about 25 yards out and off to the left side of the goal. It was a majestic goal to say the least!

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6) Berger v. Tottenham

Patrik Berger was at his brilliant best again as Liverpool gave Tottenham a footballing lesson in a 2-0 win. Tottenham’s attempts at negative play backfired as a spark of creativity from David Thompson and Patrik Berger opened them up like a knife through warm butter. Hamann fed Thompson with a bouncing ball, which the little man played on into the path of Berger. With his back to goal, Berger let the ball take a few more drops and then he turned his hips and let loose an arrowing drive towards the right side of the goal. The strike lasered in, and Liverpool took the lead. From 25 yards out and dead center from goal, there was no way Walker was going to stop this one!

(watch me! I’m at 2:07)

5) Owen @ Coventry City

There are some goals where you seriously wonder what on earth a player does that makes them seem untouchable. This is one of those goals. Michael Owen’s composure in the penalty area was unbelievable. He completely embarrassed the Coventry defense as he received the ball from Dominic Matteo at the top of the penalty box. He juked past both Shaw and Hendry as if they were Sunday League players, and then scored from around the penalty spot low into the near post corner. The goal was definitely in the category of “skill so good that it makes everyone look silly.”

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4) Murphy v. Leeds United

Searched and searched for this one, but to no avail! Regardless, Murphy picked the ball up from around the halfway line, dribbled it forwards, and unleashed a miraculous shot into the top corner from well over 30 yards to make the score 3-1. It was an outstanding hit from a player who would have one or two more of those in the red shirt of Liverpool Football Club!

3) Heggem v. Bradford City

Vegard Heggem… one of the more interesting names in Liverpool’s history. Also happened to score one of the more quality in-box dribbles you’ll ever be likely to see! Taking the ball from the top corner of the box, Heggem weaved in an out of the Bradford back lines, juking past no less than five people with incredible close control of the ball, eventually sliding it past the keeper into the far post corner. MARVELLOUS stuff from the Norwegian right-back!

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2) Fowler v. Arsenal

Robbie Fowler loves scoring against Arsenal. In a campaign where Fowler only scored three times due to a severe lack of appearances due to injury, this one stands out as THE goal he’ll remember more than most. Patrik Berger slid the ball to Fowler from about 40 yards out, “God” took a few strides forward, and as he slipped, he let rip with his left foot off of the crossbar and in! I don’t know what makes this a better goal… the 30+ yard distance, that it hit the underside of the bar and went in, the occasion, or the fact that all of this happened whilst he was slipping! Regardless, it was amazing.

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1) Gerrard v. Sheffield Wednesday

Steven Gerrard has scored over 120 goals for Liverpool, but his first goal for the club in 1999-2000 truly set the tone for the type of goalscorer he’d be. With a few exceptions, this lad doesn’t do tap-ins! Up 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday, Gerrard decided to “take the bull by the horns” as Andy Gray used to say, and have a go at the Wednesday defense. Taking the ball with supreme confidence in the middle of the pitch, the young and talented Gerrard shimmied through the defenders with the utmost determination. He WAS going to score the goal, and he WAS going to make them look stupid in doing so! Gerrard faked one way and went the other on two separate, yet deja-vu-like occasions, slipping through the defenders like a snake. Stevie G finished it off with a calm finish into the bottom corner that just oozed everything classy about the player, and really set him up for success for the rest of his career. What a goal!

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TOP 10 MOST IMPORTANT GOALS

10) Gerrard v. Sheffield Wednesday

Any goal that sets up the career for a man who would become as legendary as Steven Gerrard must be considered important! This occasion perhaps gave Stevie the confidence that he could indeed take on the best in the world, as the second man he wove through was Des Walker, a very much-respected former England international defender.

9) Owen v. Coventry City

On the day of the 40th anniversary of Bill Shankly’s arrival at Anfield in 1959, Michael Owen opened up the scoring, allowing the crowd to breathe a sigh of relief. The last time there had been a memorable match like this one to honor something big, it was the closing of the Kop in 1994, which ended in a 0-1 defeat to Norwich City. So to get this one off on the right foot was quite important, and coincidentally, Michael Owen happened to score the goal with his right foot! Which is really no surprise…

8 ) Smicer @ Watford

For all of his obvious talent and ability, Vladimir Smicer was slow to get going in his first season at the club. The Liverpool #7, though, made an important impact to grab his first for the club. Having taken a 2-0 lead through Thompson and Berger, Liverpool were looking like they’d stroll to victory against a quite poor Watford side… one that HAD beaten them in August, however. Lighting appeared to have struck twice, though, and the Hornets pulled two goals back, leaving the scoreline at an unacceptable 2-2. With two consecutive losses, Liverpool needed something to lift the spirits. Vladimir Smicer would do just that on 71 minutes, side-stepping past the Watford defender and finishing low from 15 yards into the near post corner with a slow, but accurate shot and giving us the three points!

7) Redknapp v. Newcastle

I love this goal for the pure and simple reason that it meant SO MUCH to Jamie Redknapp. Liverpool took the lead in the second half thanks to a fantastic combination between Gerrard and Titi Camara, with the latter finishing the chance with a cool volley on the counterattack. Alan Shearer, as always, found the equalizer, and with only a few minutes left to play, Jamie Redknapp’s flying and towering header crashed in off the bar after Danny Murphy’s excellent corner almost seemed to magnetize towards the captain’s head. The pure emotion of the celebration is one of the greatest sights of the 1999-2000 season, with Redknapp CLEARLY happy to be back and making a difference. A big win that looked to be our passage back into Europe, which indeed turned out to be the case!

6) Berger v. Leeds United

Winning against the big clubs was something Gerard Houllier began to reinstill into the Reds in the 1999-2000 season after a torrid time against these types of sides over the previous few campaigns. The nature of the goals in this fixture is perhaps more memorable than the necessity to win the match itself, but Berger’s goal was incredibly crucial in our Spring run-in after a series of bad results. At 1-1, Berger’s strike gave us the impetus to go on and score another, winning 3-1 against a Leeds side that was headed to the Champions League next season. (On a side note, this was the match where the referee gave a fist-pump at this goal out of excitement… which was obviously controversial! The reason? He was happy to have let play go on (advantage) and was proud of his referee-ing! Ha ha! Rigggggggghhhhhttttt…..)

5) Camara v. West Ham

Besides being important for being the winner in a 1-0 win after a series of five matches where we only gained four points, Titi Camara’s goal was critical towards his own success as a cult hero at the club, and in memorium for his late father. Having only heard of his father’s passing a few hours before the match, Titi Camara had the nerve and the character to play in this match. He also had the where-with-all to play well! And he indeed happened to be the person who scored, as if it was written in the stars. Falling to his knees with face covered by his hands, Camara forever endeared himself to Kopites thorughout England and the world.

4) Thompson v. Chelsea

Great moments and important goals are not always pretty. Just ask Luis Garcia! This goal from David Thompson against Chelsea is definitely no exception. This guy seemed to be able to come out of nowhere to score goals. He was a tricky customer, scoring either weaving goals of brilliance (like he did against Sheffield Wednesday) or he would pluck goals from deflections (Watford) or by squeezing through a crowd and tapping it in (this one!). Thompson’s goal came after some terrible results, and was much needed. In addition to that, Chelsea were a club very much in form and doing quite exceptionally in the league, pressing United for the top spot. Thompson’s goal would dent those plans, and went to show that Liverpool were for real. We’d end up finishing ahead of Chelsea in the final standings, as well!

3) Camara @ Huddersfield

The 1999-2000 saw progress in the league, but not in the cups, as Liverpool were once again hanging their head about not having won any silverware since 1995. At 0-0 against Huddersfield, Titi Camara helped Liverpool gain some confidence that this season could be different. His volley was very well taken, as he side-footed a shot that was at a very awkward location (mid-drift) and neatly into the upper corner from about 12 yards. The keeper did well to try to stop it, but could only deflect the strike into the goal. Matteo would add a second, and Liverpool would advance. FA Cup glory wouldn’t come, as it turned out, but at this time it was exciting to think we could! Fortunately, one year later we’d get our trophy!

2) Camara @ Arsenal

Winning at home to Arsenal is one thing, but to beat them at Highbury was another. Although Liverpool had a history of doing well at Highbury, it hadn’t been in a few years since we’d done that. And the match was even more important with the knowledge that we’d be playing with Meijer and Camara up front, as Redknapp, Owen, Fowler, and several others were absent through injury. Camara’s goal, thanks to a fabulous ball from Gerrard, came after 18 minutes and immediately silenced anyone who thought we were completely reliant on Owen and Fowler. Our defenders were incredible on the day, but without Camara’s goal, it would all have meant nothing.

1) Fowler v. Arsenal

Not just a great goal, but one that was DESPERATELY needed after a horrible start to the season. Having lost two of our first four matches- with the results against Watford and Middlesbrough being totally disappointing- we needed a quick answer. A win at Leeds was important, but was it a fluke? Seventh place the season before was not inspiring confidence, and it was looking like more of the same in 1999-2000. How quickly that attitude would change, as Robbie Fowler struck on 8 minutes with a beautiful curling goal off of the crossbar and in from no less than 30 yards. This goal would spark an unbelieavale attacking display where we ripped Arsenal to shreds. Berger hit the post, Fowler struck woodwork, and all and all Liverpool dominated. Without the initial goal from Fowler, and who knows what would have happened. This set the whole tone for how things would be done in 1999-2000.

SIGNINGS AND DEPARTURES

Signings:

The class of 1999-2000 will be remembered for an impressive improvement in defense. Not pictured in the above photo was Dietmar Hamann, who arrived from Newcastle for 8 mil. The German international would last until the end of the 2005-2006 season, and would figure greatly in many of our cup successes throughout my time as a supporter. In the red shirts in the above photo were two players who would make an immediately crucial impact on the defense, as well: Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz. The partnership would blossom into one of the Premiership’s best over the next three seasons. The class and intelligence of Hyypia, who was Houllier’s best signing, and the best signing at Liverpool since John Barnes, was CRITICAL in our club’s development into a European force to be reckoned with. No Hyypia, no progress. Simple as that. Stephane Henchoz’s impact cannot be undermined, though, because he was also sensational. If Hyypia was the one to read the game and be classy, Henchoz would be the one to do the cleaning up and the dirty work. Tough tackling and a no-nonsense attitude… it was exactly what we needed.

Other signings of this season would prove to be a bit more hit and miss, but more than anything they left lasting impressions. At goalkeeper, Houllier signed Dutch keeper Sander Westerveld from Vitesse Arnhem for 4 mil, and he proved to be an instant improvement from David James. Was he a better keeper? Definitely not. But he was less of a liability… initially. In 1999-2000, he did quite well, proving to be a much more reliable “brain” of a goalkeeper. His lack of command, as well as lack of respect for the club, would eventually do him in, but his first season was actually quite good. The other three signings would all go on to become cult heroes for various reasons. First, there is Smicer. Vladimir Smicer had a lot expected of him, having been a hero at the 1996 Euros and coming in with a big reputation as a goal-creator. He would do that during his time at Liverpool, but VERY inconsistently, which was agonizing. Until his goal in the Champions League Final, though, Smicer was generally looked at as a failed experiment… one that lasted far too long. But that goal really helped restore his reputation, and he became a bit of a fondly remembered guy. Other than Smicer, there was also Titi Camara. Camara’s career suggests he was a very average player who occasionally stepped up with some brilliance. Oddly enough, it was as if he packed all that brilliance in ten goals for Liverpool. It was clear he would never displace Owen, Fowler, and Heskey, and he was shown the door to West Ham, where he COMPLETELY failed. At Liverpool, though, he was definitely a funny cult hero, one who was beloved but only for a very short amount of time. The third, and final “green-shirter” in the photo was Erik Meijer, who was perhaps the most odd cult hero we’ve ever had at the club. He didn’t accomplish anything at Liverpool, only scoring twice (in the same match in a 5-1 thumping of Hull City in the League Cup 2nd round) and making a very small handful of appearances, but what he DID do was get hammered with the fans during the 2001 UEFA Cup Final in Dortmund!!! Singing with the supporters while you have been out on loan? That’s the way to become a cult hero legend! Sadly, he was sold immediately afterwards, but the fans will never forget something like this!

There would be one more signing in this season, and that would be the record-breaking transfer of Emile Heskey to Liverpool for 11 million pounds from Leicester City. Heskey’s impact would immediately be felt, as he did outstandingly in his first few months, and even better in his first full season during the year we won the Treble. It wouldn’t last, but the imapct he made late on in matches and with some pretty dramatic goals has meant that Heskey’s time at the club was worth its while.

Departures:

Gerard Houllier had a tough task ahead of him in 1999-2000, as club legend (and I don’t use that term lightly here) Steve McManaman was off to Real Madrid… on a FREE TRANSFER. Ouch. With a player with such a dynamic personality and ability on the ball departing to sunny Spain, it would be tough to progress as a club. One thing was for certain, regardless of who came in to replace Macca: more people needed to leave. The squad was becoming full of sub-par players or people who had been injured for too many seasons. Some injury prone players that left included Rob Jones and Jean Michel Ferri, and then there were the players that just needed to leave because we needed to move on as a club, such as David James, Oyvind Leonhardsen, Karlheinz Riedle, and Bjorn Kvarme. These playes all had their good moments for the club, but more often than not were far too mediocre to make the necessary impact that was required in rebuilding this sleeping giant. Well done, I’d say.

TOP 5 PLAYERS

5) Michael Owen

Injuries meant that Owen only got 30 matches under his belt, but when healthy he showed signs of that player from the past few years that was dazzling the world. His twelve goals still led the club in scoring, and often these goals were quite classy, including a lovely shielding goal against Sunderland, a weaving goal at Coventry, and then there was some typical anklebreakers at Derby and at home to Coventry. Owen’s problems would remain for a while, but he would come back strong in the next season. VERY strong.

4) Steven Gerrard

This young talent was beginning to catch the eye of more than just his manager in 1999-2000. Often used at right back out of necessity, Gerrard still managed to get praise. But when employed at central midfielder, the league began to take notice of this dominant presence in the middle of the park. Performances of the highest quality were piling up one after the other, and Gerrard’s reputation was growing by the second. At just 19, Gerrard was already in the squad for EURO 2000, and had scored a goal against Sheffield Wednesday that turned people’s heads and said… “who is this kid? He’s going to be something special!” And right they were!

3) Patrik Berger

Though 1999-2000 was not his most consistent as a Liverpool player, it was definitely full of some absolutely memorable goals. Berger’s ability to put the ball in the net was crucial in a season where we were struggling to put away chances. He was our third highest goal scorer with nine goals, but most of these goals were classics. His free-kick against Manchester United at Old Trafford was perhaps the most memorable, but the quality of his goals aginst Leeds, Tottenham, Wimbledon and Man U at Anfield were superb. A player who offered creativity, excellent vision, and a famous left foot… and it would be his last season where he made any kind of impact.

2) Stephane Henchoz

The class of Sami Hyypia in defense got most of the headlines in Liverpool’s impressive defensive turn-around, but Stephane Henchoz also deserves quite a bit of praise. To go from 61 conceded goals to 36 in one season is an amazing turn-around. You need an excellent tandem in the center of defense to achieve such an improvement, and that’s exactly what Liverpool had. Former Blackburn defender Henchoz was expected to help, but nobody saw this one coming. His reckless play was often scary, but it was probably more scary for the opposition! He did all of those things nobody notices, as well, throwing his body at jumbled messes inside of the box, man-marking the fast striker on the opposing side, denying them of chances, and of course being the last line of defense. “Handball Henchoz” would become a critical cog to the Liverpool machine.

1) Sami Hyypia

Sami Hyypia made an instant impression in his first season at Liverpool, instantly becoming a player destined for greatness at the club… a club who has seen its share of great defenders. His class, vision, ability to win every header that entered the box, and his leadership and intelligence were just a FEW of his qualities. This unexpected colossus of a player turned Liverpool’s defense from “laughing stock” into “force” in no less than a year. The Finn’s qualities did not go un-noticed. The Kop instantly compared him to Ron Yeats, Gerard Houllier made him captain, and as a supporter I became one of his biggest fans quite quickly.

TOP 3 FLOPS

3) Steve Staunton

Staunton’s second spell at the club was not what was expected. Having sold him to Villa in the early 90s and getting him back at the twilight of his career, it was clear that this was indeed a second spell for a reason. Though he had a classic moment in goal in the Merseyside Derby, Staunton had little if any impact. His goal against Hull City might have been a nice thumping low strike, but more often than not, he just looked incredibly mediocre and out of his depth.

2) Rigobert Song

1998-1999 was decent for Song, but he was less than impressive in his first FULL season at the club. He lacked tactical discipline, and although he was a marauding fullback, he left too many gaps in the back to be exposed. We looked significantly better when he was not in the side, which is generally a bad sign for someone who wants regular time! The fact that Gerrard was used as an emergency right-back despite Song not being injured says it all, really…

1) Vladimir Smicer

Smicer is a smiling, pleasant guy… so it is hard to label him as a flop. But in his first season, it was definitely true. He was brought in to be the “Dalglish” type, creating goals for people in the hole behind the strikers, and being impossible to deal with. Turns out that he was just a good technical player without the bottle to get stuck in and compete… definitely not like Dalglish! Smicer would have a better impact in the next few seasons, but 1999-2000 was not a good campaign for our new signing.

STATISTICS