Partridge, Richie

[TLW]

Written by Dave Usher

RICHIE PARTRIDGE PROFILE         Date of Birth - 12/09/80 Nationality - Irish Games - 1 Goals - 0 Position - Winger Cost - Club Hons (Lpool) - None Club Hons (other) - None Intnl Hons - Ireland u21 Other Clubs - Bristol Rovers (loan), Coventry (loan), Rotherham

As a teenager Richie Partridge appeared to have the world at his feet. Lightning quick and extremely skilful, he was even compared to Brazilian great Jairzinho by one of his Ireland Youth coaches. He was making a name for himself at the Reds Academy when Gerard Houllier arrived at the club, and the Academy staff recommended the new boss should run the rule over the young Dubliner.

Houllier sent his assistant Patrice Bergues to watch him, but it was his team-mates Steven Gerrard and Stephen Wright that caught the eye of Bergues. Both were promoted to train at Melwood with the first team, whilst Richie was left training with the youngsters.

Some impressive displays for the reserve side eventually persuaded Houllier that a 1st team call up was warranted, and Richie made his debut in the 8-0 League Cup victory at Stoke. He did ok, nothing special, but only played for 45 minutes and it was four years before he would feature in the senior side again.

In that time, he suffered a catalogue of injuries, including a couple of serious knee problems that ruled him out for some time. When he did play, he looked promising, but he could never stay fit long enough to catch the eye of the manager. He impressed on loan, most notably at Coventry where he scored some spectacular individual goals under the managership of Gary McAllister, but he was unable to force his way into the Liverpool side upon his return.

Two impressive substitute appearances in the League Cup against Spurs and Middlesbrough were all he had to show for his endeavours, and Richie was released by the club at the end of the 2003/04 season, signing for Rotherham.