| LUIS GARCIA
by Phil Matthews Date of Birth - 24/06/78
Nationality - Spanish
Position - Attacking Midfield/Forward
Cost - £6m
Games - 121
Goals - 30
Club Hons (Lpool) - Champions League 2005, European Super Cup 2005, FA Cup 2006
Club Hons (Other) - None
Intnl Hons - Spanish Caps
Other Clubs - Barcelona, Tenerife (loan), Atletico Madrid |
Luis Javier Garcia Sanz was signed by Rafael Benitez for £6m from Barcelona in August 2004 to bring some much needed creativity and flair to the Reds attack. He was regularly employed in various positions including both wings, although his primary position in the team was playing in the hole behind the forwards.
Garcia was equally impressive with both feet and possessed a sublime touch, although he was frequently criticised for over elaborating and giving the ball away in dangerous positions. Also he was surprisingly tough and also good in the air considering his height and build. He is however 5ft 6, not 5ft 7 as the song goes.
Luis was a product of Barcelona's youth system. After a successful few years playing for Barcelona's B team he was sold to Real Valladolid where he struggled to make an immediate impact and was farmed out on loan, firstly to Toledo and then latterly (and more successfully) to Tenerife where he linked up with his future coach Rafael Benitez.
Garcia's 16 goals from the left wing helped Tenerife to promotion to La Liga and showed enough of his quality to assure him of a starting place upon his return to Valladolid. It also attracted the attention of Atletico Madrid who snapped him up. After a season at Atletico he returned to Barcelona where he was unable to force his way into such a star studded line up and spent the majority of the season as a substitute.
The powers that be at the Nou Camp were keen for Luis to stay, but as soon as Liverpool came calling, he was on his way to join the Rafalution.
Luis made his debut for Liverpool in a 1-0 away defeat to Bolton, where he had a goal disallowed for a highly dubious offside decision. Not one to get downhearted, Luis scored against West Brom to open his account for The Reds in the very next match.
Luis finished the 2004/05 season with 13 goals in all competitions and his contribution to Liverpool's Champions League campaign will live long in the memory, thanks to his incredible 35 lob over Gianlugi Buffon against Juventus in the quarter finals and his controversial and blatantly over the line finish against Chelsea, which turned out to be the deciding goal in the semi final.
Luis played the full 120 minutes in the final at the Attaturk and was picked in the UEFA team of the tournament. Luis is currently Liverpool's all time top goalscorer in the Champions League.
Luis was less of a fixture in the side for his second season, but still weighed in with key goals, in particular his goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi final. He was sent off against West Ham in
the league after an altercation with Hayden Mullins, which unfortunately ruled him out of the FA Cup Final (ironically against West Ham)
An anterior cruciate ligament injury cut short his season in 2006/07, and proved to be the last Liverpool fans would see of the little man as he was sold to Atletico Madrid as part of the deal that saw Fernando Torres arrive at Anfield.
