The midfielder was a major influence on the side, and Liverpool looked more settled, more determined, and more difficult to beat when he was in the line-up. Although prone to the odd injury, making 26 appearances from a possible 47 last season, his masterful passing ability, and tough tackling, were such positive attributes that the Reds appeared to struggle without him.

Most likely a possible captain for the future, he would almost certainly gone to France with England's World Cup squad had he not suffered a knee ligament injury at Coventry with five games to go, having had a run out with the England U21 side as a sweeper against Switzerland and been in the final 30. Was reported to have married the "pop star", Louise, during the summer.