Defender

12. Sami Hyypia  3.Christian Ziege   14.Vegard Heggem 2.Stephane Henchoz 29.Stephen Wright 
30.Djimi Traore 31.Frode Kippe 4.Gregory Vignal 6.Markus Babbel
23.Jamie Carragher

12.Sami Hyypia

Sami Hyypia started his league career on April 26th 1992 with MyPa Anjalankoski. He played 96 league matches for them, winning the Finnish Cup in 1992, the Most Promising Player award in 1991 and playing his first full international against Tunisia in Tunis on November 7th 1992, before being transferred to Dutch side Willem II in 1995. He was also voted best player in the U-21 National Team in 1994 and 1995. In the Summer of 1998 he was linked with a move to PSV Eindhoven as a replacement for Jaap Stam, and he was watched by, amongst others, Auxerre's coach Guy Roux. However, he remained in Tilburg where his solid and uncomprimising performances as captain helped guide underdogs Willem II to a Champions League place in 1999, but he chose instead to join Liverpool, expressing his belief that they would shortly be challenging once more for European honours. Sami remained a firm crowd favourite in Tilburg, despite a strong feeling that a player of his ability was sure to move on sooner rather than later. Liverpool spotted Sami rather fortuitously whilst scouting German players in a match against Finland. Instead Gerard Houllier and Karlheinz Riedle came away much impressed by the Finnish centre-half who had done so much to hold Germany to a 0-0 draw, despite a bleeding forehead swathed in bandages. His performance was also much praised in the German press. Hopefully, the ?.6m that manager Gerard Houllier spent on Hyppia will prove to be the bargain of the next millenium. He is a big, commanding centre-back who is great in the air - something that Liverpool had been lacking for at least three years. His composure and technique on the ball are impressive for such a big man.



Nickname: -

Position: Right Defender

Place of Birth: Trondheim, Finland

Date of Birth: 7/10/1973

Height: 6'3" (1.92m), Weight: 13st 5lb (85kg)

Former clubs: Kumu, MyPa Anjalankoski, Willem II (Holland)

Signed for Liverpool: 18/05/99

Debut for Liverpool: -

International caps: 23 (Finland)

3. Christian Ziege

It was a long time in coming, but Christian Ziege is finally a Liverpool player after the protracted transfer finally ended when the German international signed on the dotted line at Anfield in a ?.5m deal. Christian is certain to add craft and ingenuity to the left-hand side of Liverpool's defence as well as posing a goal threat at free-kicks. Such is his versatility that he can play anywhere on that side of the field, although the role he has filled for most of his career has been left wing-back. Born in Berlin, Christian actually started out his career as a goalkeeper but spells with local clubs Sudstern 08, TSV Rudow and Hertha Zehlendorf transformed into an outfield player and he made such a positive impression in his early years that he was eventually lured down south to join the mighty Bayern Munich while still only 18. Christian represented Germany at every level as a youth and was even captain to the U-21 team. Initially hailed as the "new Andy Brehme", he made his senior debut for Germany against Brazil in the 1993 US Cup but, sadly, he was to miss the return trip to America for the World Cup a year later through injury. Christian did, however, play a starring role for the triumphant Germany side at Euro '96, playing every minute of every game and scoring the team's first goal in their opening game against the Czech Republic. 1996 was also a good year for him at Bayern as he helped the club to victory in the UEFA Cup. After winning his second Bundesliga title with Bayern in 1996/97, Christian decided to move to Italy and join AC Milan. It did not, however, turn out to be the dream move he had hoped for. Christian made little headway in the star-studded side, and although he appeared for Germany at the 1998 World Cup in France, it was not in the leading role he had become accustomed to. Christian's second season at Milan resulted in an Italian championship triumph, but his contribution was only minimal and he was delighted to be given the opportunity to move to England when Middlesbrough splashed out ?m on him. He revived his career on Teesside and duly returned to the national side, scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Northern Ireland in his second game back and going on to win his 50th cap in Germany's final warm-up match before Euro 2000, where he played the first two games against Romania and England.



Nickname: -

Place of Birth: Berlin, Germany

Date of Birth: 1/2/72

Height: 6'1" (1.86m), Weight: 12st 4lb (78kg)

Position: Defender

Former clubs: Middlesbrough, A.C.Milan, Bayern Munich

Signed for Liverpool: August 2000 for 5,500,000 pounds

International : Germany 52 caps

14. Vegard Heggem

Heggem became a Liverpool player just a week after his 23rd birthday. A versatile player, who was cited as a forward in the Champions' League literature of 1996/97. He prefers to play on the right side of midfield but is equally at home in the right back position. Started the 1998/99 season as first choice right back and has impressed everyone with his surging runs and tireless effort for the Reds cause.



Nickname: -

Place of Birth: Norway

Date of Birth: 13/7/75

Height: 5' 10", Weight: 12st 0lb

Position: Defender

Former clubs: Rennebu, Orkdal, Rosenborg

Signed for Liverpool: 21/7/98 from Rosenborg for ?,500,000

International : Norway, ? Full caps

27. Gregory Vignal

French youngster Gregory Vignal made his Reds debut in the FA Cup 3rd Round win over Rotherham United at Anfield on January 6th, as a 77th minute substitute for Vladimir Smicer. The left back arrived in at Anfield earlier this season from Montpellier with Gerard Houllier claiming he is ‘a prospect for the future.? Vignal, who made his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt for the reserves against Manchester United in October 2000, had spent the best part of 10 years with Montpellier. Despite not picking up silverware with his French club, Vignal enjoyed international success during the summer when he helped the French under-18 team to victory in the European Youth Championships in Germany. Vignal played in all but one of the matches, alerting Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier to his potential along the way. Next summer Vignal, 19, will head off to Argentina with the French under-20 squad looking to add a world youth championship medal to his collection. He says: “I have a lot of ambitions in football but time is on my side and I am looking forward to what will hopefully be a successful career. “I find it incredible that I am only 19 and yet am playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. As soon as I heard that Liverpool were interested in signing me it was an easy decision to make. It was a wrench to leave Montpellier but I have to think about my career and this is a fantastic move for me. “I like English football and I see no reason why I can’t do well here. The French speaking players at Liverpool have told me that the game here is very fast and physical but I am confident I can come to terms with it. It also helps the manager and Patrice Bergues are both French as well. I will learn the language as soon as possible because that will make things easier for me but at the moment I am really enjoying myself and I am delighted to be here.?



Nickname: -

Place of Birth: Montpellier, France

Date of Birth: 19.07.81

Height: 5'11.5", Weight: 12st 3lb

Position: defender

Former clubs: Montpellier

Signed for Liverpool: 2000

International : European Championship winner with French Under-18 team

6. Markus Babbel

An unspectacular but useful defender, he is set to end his second spell at Bayern when he joins Liverpool after Euro 2000. Was in the Germany side that beat the Czech Republic in the 1996 European Championship final at Wembley and also in the Bayern side wich lost the European Cup final to Manchester United



Nickname: -

Place of Birth: Munich, Germany

Date of Birth: 08/09/1972

Height: 1.90m, Weight: 81kg

Position: Left defender/winger

Former clubs: TSV Gilching-Argelsried, Hamburger SV, Bayern Munich

Signed for Liverpool: May 2000(free transfer)

Debut for Liverpool: -

International :48 caps and 1 goal

23. Jamie Carragher

Carragher made his first appearance of the 1996/97 season as a late substitute for Stig Inge Bjornebye in Liverpool's ill-fated Coca Cola Cup tie at Middlesbrough. A tough-tackling utility player, he scored against Aston Villa on his first start for the Reds. Started the 97/98 season in the first team but a cruel injury knocked him back down the pecking order. Became Liverpool's first choice centre-back at the start of the 1998/99 season and was Mr Consistency at the heart of a shaky defence. and the former Liverpool and England defensive legend, Phil Thompson, has stated that he thinks the club has unearthed a real gem in this youngster. Strong and powerful, and a good passer of the ball, those are the qualities needed to succeed as a defender at Anfield and Jamie fits the bill.


Place of Birth: Bootle

Date of Birth: 28/1/78

Position: Defender/Midfielder

Signed for Liverpool: from Liverpool youth

Debut for Liverpool: Manchester City (October 23, 1993) International : England - Youth, U-19,U-21

02. Stephane Henchoz

Signed from Blackburn Rovers for a fee of ?.5m in the summer of 1999, Henchoz is a tidy central defender blessed with an astute reading of the game. As comfortable in the air is he is along the ground, Henchoz turned down an opportunity to join Manchester United to link up with Blackburn in the 1997 close season. The central defender became Roy Hodsgon's first Ewood Park signing when he arrived for ? million from SV Hamburg, where he was viewed as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. It was actually Hodgson who gave Henchoz his first international cap for Switzerland. He has stood out in Rovers' defence, and was one of their more consistent performers despite being unable to halt their slide into the Nationwide First Division at the end of the 1998/99 season. The powerful 24-year-old Blackburn Rovers centre-back has spurned interest from a host of British and foreign clubs, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich were believed to be chasing the former Neuchatel and Hamburg player who has more than 30 caps for his country. Houllier rekindled his interest in Henchoz after two unsuccessful attempts to sign the Bayern Munich defender Markus Babbel.



Nickname: -

Position: Defender

Place of Birth: Switzerland

Date of Birth: 7/9/74

Height: 6'2" , Weight: 12.10

Former clubs: SV Hamburg, Blackburn Rovers

Signed for Liverpool: 04/06/99

International caps: 30+(Swiss)

29. Stephen Wright

The most promising defender among Liverpool's emerging home-grown talent. After a couple of appearances on the bench during the 1998-99 season Stephen finally got his First Team debut in a post-season friendly against Sunderland on 18th May 1999. At the beginning of the 1999/2000 season he was loaned to Crewe in order to gain valuable competitive First Team experience - unfortunately he sustained ankle ligament damage in a match against Norwich (in a tackle with Paul Dalglish) which seemed to cut short his time there. However, after returning to Melwood for treatment he resumed his period with Crewe which was extended until the end of the 1999/2000 season.



Nickname: -

Position: Defender

Place of Birth: Liverpool

Date of Birth: 08/02/80

Height: 1.85m , Weight: 80kg

Former clubs: Join as Trainee

Signed for Liverpool: ?

International caps: England Under 21

30. Djimi Traore

Reckoned by many to be the most promising French defender of his generation. Gerard Houllier beat off competition from AC milan, Paris saint Germain and Lazio to sign Djimi. When he bought Traore on February 17th for ?50,000 he said that he wasn't the answer for his instant defensive problems but a player with great potential who he believes will be a big player for the future. Djimi made his first team full debut against Hull City in the Worthington Cup Second Round First Leg match on 14.9.99.



Nickname: -

Position: Defender

Place of Birth: Laval (France)

Date of Birth: ? 1980

Height: 6'3", Weight: 80kg

Former clubs: Laval (France)

Signed for Liverpool: ?

International caps: France U-18

31. Frode Kippe

As a 21 year old he completed his ?00,000 move from Lillestrom after spending some time training at Melwood, a fee possibly rising to ? million depending on appearances. He looked impressive for the reserves in the latter part of the 1998-99 season, and made it onto the First Team bench for the friendly against Sunderland on 18th May, finally winning his full debut when coming on as a sub in Liverpool's Worthington Cup 2nd Round 2nd Leg game against Hull City on 21.9.99. In December 1999 he went on loan to Stoke City in order to gain first team experience. In his third month on loan to the second division outfit - who then lay just outside the play off places on goal difference - and where he had established himself as a key member of their back four. When Kippe returned to Anfield did it on the back of helping Stoke to the verges of the play off places in the second division. He also helped them to the final of the Autoglass Trophy, but was unable to extend his loan period with Stoke any further.



Nickname: -

Position: Defender

Place of Birth: Oslo, Norway

Date of Birth: 17/01/78

Height: 6'5", Weight: 90kg

Former clubs: Lillestrom (Norway)

Signed for Liverpool: ?

International caps: Norway U-21

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