Luis Suárez Bio

It would be fair to say that 2010 was the year that launched Luis Suarez into world superstardom, as well as global infamy. In fact, the year perfectly encapsulated the mix of attacking excellence and controversy that makes up one of Europe's most in-demand and talked-about forwards.

After finishing the 2009-10 season with a remarkable tally of 49 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Ajax, winning the Dutch Cup in the process, Suarez travelled to South Africa to contest the World Cup finals. In the quarter-finals against Ghana, Suarez blocked a goal-bound effort in the final minute of extra-time, earning a red card and conceding a penalty in the process. However, Asamoah Gyan missed from 12 yards and Uruguay prevailed in the subsequent shoot-out, leading Suarez to be castigated by many for his dastardly role in the elimination of Africa's final competitors.

His magnetic attraction to negative PR was displayed once again in November 2010 when he was banned for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal. However, that incident should not cloud what has been a wildly successful career in De Eredivisie ever since his move from Nacional in 2006, when he left the Uruguayan club having won the league in his debut season in the first team.

It was Groningen who brought him to the Netherlands for around €800,000 and after scoring ten goals in 29 games in his first season in the country, Ajax paid €7.5 million to bring him to Amsterdam. Prior to the start of the 2010-11 season he had repaid them handsomely with 74 goals in 97 league appearances, leading to speculation regarding a move to one of Europe's bigger clubs, and specifically Liverpool; a club he eventually agreed to join in the January transfer window.

Strengths: Technically excellent and with an unerring finish, this deadly striker is a threat from long range, in the box or in the air. He is also versatile and likes to attack from wide positions, making him an elusive presence.

Weaknesses: Disciplinary issues have frequently threatened to undermine Suarez and biting aside, he has shown a worrying propensity to pick up yellow cards.

Career high: A controversial choice, perhaps, but Suarez made himself into a national hero when handballing to deny Ghana a last-gasp goal in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final. Though he became an international villain, Suarez was carried on the shoulders of his team-mates after their subsequent shoot-out victory in Johannesburg.

Career low: The forward was dubbed the "Cannibal of Ajax" by De Telegraaf and incurred a seven-game ban in November 2010 after biting Bakkal on the shoulder.

Style: Evasive, clever, deadly. A prolific forward.

Quotes: "The 'Hand Of God' now belongs to me. I did it so that my team-mates could win the penalty shoot-out. When I saw Gyan miss the penalty it was a great joy". Luis Suarez, July 2010.

Trivia: Suarez left his home town of Salto at the age of only 11 when moving around 500km to join the ranks of Montevideo-based club Nacional.

Andrew Carroll Bio

One of England's brightest young talents, Carroll made a name for himself in the 2010-11 season when, despite a number of off-pitch incidents, he elevated himself among the top strikers in the Premier League, securing a record-breaking move to Liverpool on a dramatic final day of the 2011 January transfer window.

First appearing as a late substitute for Newcastle at the age of just 17 years and 300 days, Carroll became the youngest ever player to represent the club in Europe, in a match against Palermo in November 2006. After being awarded the 'Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy' in 2007, for being the brightest rising star of North-East football, Carroll spent an unsuccessful six month loan spell at Preston North End, managing just one Championship goal in 11 appearances.

Upon his return to Newcastle though, his quality began to show, and the departure of several key attacking players following the club's relegation to the Championship in 2009, proved to be a blessing in disguise for the striker. Scoring 17 goals in 39 appearances, Carroll formed a solid partnership with Peter Lovernkrands, with the duo scoring more than half of the club's goals in the season as they were promoted to the Premier League at the first attempt, as champions.

Back in the top flight, Carroll was relishing the chance to test himself against the best and continued his prolific scoring form from the previous season, ensuring that he was the Premier League's leading English striker for much of the season. High-profile goals against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool saw his star continue to rise and he was linked with a big-money move away from St James' Park. Sure enough, after Liverpool sold Fernando Torres for £50 million, they dug deep to bring Carroll to Anfield for £35 million on January 31, 2011, making him the most expensive English footballer of all time.

His career has, however, been blighted by a number of negative off the field incidents, as he has twice been in court charged with assault. But if he keeps his focus on the pitch, he could be one of the best.

Strengths: A true No. 9, Carroll has the strength and power to match it with the very best defenders in the Premier League. His outstanding heading ability, coupled with a strong work ethic, make him a handful for any opposition.

Weaknesses: His temperament off the pitch is the main issue, while his inexperience also leads him to make the odd rash decision.

Career high: Scoring an exceptional hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Aston Villa, marking the perfect return to the Premier League for Newcastle on August 22, 2010; it was one of a number of impressive displays that led to his first England cap against France in November.

Career low: Amongst the number of off the field incidents Carroll has been involved in, the most embarrassing from a playing perspective would have to be being sent home whilst on international duty for the England Under-19 side, after breaking a curfew during preparation for a match against Romania U-19.

Style: Powerful, strong and confident, a potential star of the future.

Quotes: "As for Carroll, he is somebody with a genuine chance of emulating Alan Shearer, but history tells you that guys who continually find themselves on the front page never turn into anything." Former Liverpool captain Alan Hansen, November 2010.

Trivia: Part of Carroll's bail conditions for one court appearance was that he was forced to live with club captain Kevin Nolan, who put him on an 11pm bedtime.

Fernando Torres Bio

Liverpool broke their transfer record on July 4, 2007 when they signed Torres for £26.5million from Atletico Madrid; after a blistering first season it looked like a bargain.

El Nino was an instant hit in England as his brand of speedy forward play and physical stature perfectly suited the Premiership. By the end of his debut season, 2007/08, he had scored 33 goals in all competitions - 24 in the Premier League.

On 4 May 2008, Torres equalled Roger Hunt's club record of scoring in eight consecutive games with his 57th minute winner against Manchester City. His 24th goal of the Premier League season came against Tottenham and set a new record as most prolific foreign goal scorer in a debut season, beating Ruud van Nistelrooy's 23 goals.

The Spanish international capped his record-breaking season by winning Euro 2008 as La Roja won their first major trophy since 1964. He scored twice in five games.

Torres began his career at Atletico Madrid and despite repeated approaches from Premiership and Liga clubs he remained loyal to his boyhood club for twelve-years, six as a professional, making 214 appearances and scoring 82 goals.

The Spanish club snapped him up at the age of 11 after he netted 55 goals in his first season at amateur side Rayo 13.

He signed his first professional contract in 1999 but he had to wait until May 27, 2001 to make his debut against Leganes. He scored his first goal the following week against Albacete.

He was captain of Atletico Madrid before he departed.

Torres was top scorer and player of the tournament in the 2001 European Under-16 Championships and 2002 European U19 Championships, both of which Spain won.

After progressing through the U21s the youngster made his full debut in a friendly with Portugal on September 6, 2003. The following April he scored his first international goal against Italy and represented Spain in the 2006 World Cup.

He was criticised in Spain of needing too many chances to score a goal - but those detractors have now been left red faced.

David Ngog Bio

Striker David Ngog arrived from Paris Saint Germain for a fee of £1.5million in the summer of 2008.

Despite only scoring one goal in 18 league appearances for PSG during the 2007/08 season he has been described as one French football's hottest young talents.

The quick striker has been prolific in the French U19s, and below, and scored a couple of goals during pre-season for Liverpool.

Ngog is the cousin of France defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Dirk Kuyt Bio

Kuyt was seen as one of the best strikers in Europe after dominating the Dutch League with Feyenoord, where he scored 71 goals in 101 games, but has reverted back to winger during his time at Liverpool.

It was his prolific record as a striker that persuaded Liverpool to part with £9million for the Holland international's services in August 2006 but he became a peripheral figure, thanks in part to Rafa's rotation system, until he was shunted out to the right wing for the 2007/08 season.

His assets as a quick and strong player, with an excellent work-rate meant he revelled in his role on the flank and played an important role for Liverpool.

He finished the season with 11 goals and seven assists in 36 starts and his ability to play in a more reserved role persuaded Dutch manager Marco Van Basten to include Kuyt in his squad for Euro 2008.

Kuyt had made his international debut in Van Basten's first game as manager against Liechtenstein in September 2004.

The Dutch forward began his career aged 5 as a youth player with Quick Boys, he broke into the first team in 1998 where he soon caught the eye of Eredivise side FC Utrecht.

Aged 18, he signed professionally for the club that summer and immediately established himself as a first-team player, although more on the wing than as a striker.

However, in 2002/03 season, Utrecht got a new coach in Foeke Booy, who converted Kuyt into a striker. Kuyt repaid the coach's faith in him with 20 goals that season, helping the side to a Dutch Cup win over Feyenoord, where he turned in a Man of the Match performance in the 4-1 win.

At the end of the season though, Kuyt's potential was noted by Feyenoord, who snapped him up for only £1million to replace Pierre Van Hooijdonk.

His first season at Feyenoord saw him break 20 goals again, and he ended the season as the Eredivisie's top scorer with 29 goals - a career high.

Summer 2005 saw him recognised as a top striker, and he was linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, but no transfer materialised. In a bid to keep him, Kuyt was handed the club captaincy and he went on to net 25 goals in all competitions.

A year later though, Kuyt made the move away from Holland and signed for Liverpool for a fee of around £9million.

Despite being something of an easy going character Kuyt generally raises his game on the big stage. He scored the winning penalty in the 2007 Champions League semi-final shoot-out against Chelsea, and scored the consolation goal in the Reds' 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in the final.

Robbie Keane Bio

Keane's multi-club career appeared to have finally found a home at Spurs when he signed a 5-year contract extension to stay until 2012, but that was before boy-hood club Liverpool came calling.

In the summer of 2008 the Irish striker joined the Reds for a fee of £20.3million.

At Tottenham the vice-captain has fought off a few challengers in his time at the club to be a first-choice striker and his creative skill helped him to become a crowd favourite - breaking the magical 20 goal season barrier in his last two seasons at the club.

Keane started his career as teenage prodigy with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It wasn't long before the Premiership scouts were clambering for his signature but the Molineux club held out for three years before they were forced to bow to Coventry City.

The teenage Keane had scored 24 goals in only 67 League starts. He joined the Sky Blues in August 1999 for £6million.

His career at Coventry got off to a blistering start as he scored twice on his debut to seal a 2-0 win at home to Derby County.

Coming the end of the 1999/2000 season, the bigger clubs were still on the trail of the Republic of Ireland international but it was a shock when Inter Milan signed him for £13million.

But all did not go well in Serie A as Keane slipped down the pecking order.

Leeds United offered him an escape route and he signed on loan for the West Yorkshire club for the 2000/01 season and made the £12million move permanent at the end of the campaign.

However, things did not go as well once he was a fully fledged Leeds player, and the signing of Robbie Fowler pushed him down the pecking order. With Alan Smith and Mark Viduka also in the running for a first team spot, Keane had to settle for a place on the bench for much of the 2001/02 season.

Keane went to the 2002 World Cup with the Republic of Ireland with his future shrouded in doubt. He was one of the stars of the tournament as Ireland went out on penalties to Spain in the second round.

It was thought his value would have rocketed, but within weeks of returning to England, Sunderland had an undisclosed bid, though to be in the region of £8million, accepted for Keane. However, the player turned down a move to the Stadium of Light.

Spurs then joined the chase for Keane and just before the transfer deadline in August 2002 he completed a £7million transfer. Keane had scored 19 goals for Leeds, but started only 38 games.

The player signed a four-year deal at White Hart Lane, with the option of a two-year extension. Keane made his Tottenham debut in a 3-2 win over West Ham United and made over 250 appearances for the club before leaving to join Liverpool.

The Irish international also captains his country.

Alberto Riera Bio

Spanish international Riera returned to the Premier League on transfer deadline day, September 1, 2008, with Liverpool.

Previously an average loanee with Manchester City, Riera was signed to bring much-needed width to the Liverpool team though many questioned his ability to produce in England - especially considering he'd failed to impress in a previous stint.

A pacey player with good delivery who likes to take on an opponent, he began his career at Real Mallorca, making his debut in the 2000/01 season.

It wasn't until the 2002/03 season when the player really broke into the first team as Mallorca won the Spanish Cup.

Those performances earned a move to Bordeaux in 2003 and while he was a regular with the Ligue 1 side he returned to Spain with Espanyol in the summer of 2005.

Manchester City signed the Spanish winger on loan for the remainder of the season when the transfer window opened in January 2006, with a view to a permanent move.

Riera, a naturally left-sided wide man, ade his City debut in the memorable 3-1 derby victory at home to Manchester United. He played 19 games for the club, scoring one goal. City boss Stuart Pearce decided against making the move a permanent one.

Back at Espanyol, Riera enjoyed a successful 2006/07 - which included a goal in the final of the UEFA Cup although his team lost on penalties to Sevilla.

Riera made 72 appearances for Espanyol before moving to Anfield for a fee in the region of £8million.

Damien Plessis Bio

French youth international Plessis signed for Liverpool from Olympique Lyonnais on the last day of the transfer window in August 2007.

He signed a three-year deal and initially played for the reserve team before he made an unexpected senior debut at the Emirates on April 5, 2008.

Despite breaking into the first team the tall, strong midfielder was a key player as Liverpool's reserves won the league title in 2007/08.

Plessis also reached the semi-finals of the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship along with Reds team-mate David N'Gog.

Jermaine Pennant Bio

Pennant's £6.7 million move to Liverpool in 2006 proved to be something of a redemption for a young player that had gone off the rails during his early career.

At the age of 15, and having barely kicked a ball for Notts County, Pennant moved to Arsenal in January 1999 in a multi-million pound deal and found instant fame.

Six years later and Pennant had barely made an impression at Highbury - on the pitch at least. His night time activities and poor attitude to training had left boss Arsene Wenger scratching his head.

The final straw came when he was arrested for drink driving. But it was not his first offence. Pennant was still banned after being caught a year earlier. Driving while disqualified led to a three-month jail term for Pennant.

Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce showed incredible faith in such a wayward character to give him a club to return to after his spell behind bars.

Following loans spells with Watford and Leeds United Pennant headed out to Birmingham City in 2005 with his court case pending. He made his debut for Blues in a 2-1 home win over Southampton, providing the perfect cross for fellow loanee Walter Pandiani to score.

However, Pennant was back in court on March 1 for sentencing - and he was sent to jail for three months. Birmingham vowed to stand by the player and confirmed their commitment to a permanent deal.

Pennant served one month of his sentence before being released. He was forced to wear an electronic tag for two weeks, which he also had to keep on during matches - becoming the first Premiership player to do so in the home match with Tottenham Hotspur.

Birmingham stayed true to their word over their desire to take him on a permanent basis, and by April 25 he had completed a move to the midlands in a deal worth up to £3million. Pennant signed a three-year contract with the option of a fourth.

Pennant played just 26 games for Arsenal, only 12 being starts, and scored just three goals.

Birmingham were relegated to the Championship in 2006 but Pennant's performances in the blue shirt were good enough to earn him a summer switch to Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy.

After impressing in pre-season, Pennant made his Liverpool debut against Maccabi Haifa in a Champions' League 3rd round qualifying match at Anfield and in January 2007 he scored his first goal for Liverpool in their 2-0 Premiership victory over Chelsea.

He enjoyed a relatively successful season, making 33 appearances and the boyhood reds fans was one of the best performers during the Champions League final defeat against AC Milan in Athens.

The following year he slipped down the pecking order at Anfield and faces a tough challenge to re-establish himself in the starting eleven.

Lucas Bio

Brazilian international Lucas joined Liverpool from Gremio for a fee believed to be around £6.5million in July 2007.

The Reds won the race to sign the box-to-box midfielder ahead of a number of top European clubs after he had set Campeonato Brasileiro alight with a series of accomplished performances that also caught the eye of Brazil coach Dunga.

After winning the Bola de Ouro, an award for the best young player in the league that lists Zico, Romario, Kaka and Carlos Tevez among previous winners, Dunga brought Lucas into the Brazilian team for an unofficial match against Al-Kuwait in October 2006.

The former under-20s captain, who won the South American Youth Championship title in 2007, made his official senior debut in August 2007 when he came on as a substitute in a friendly with Algeria.

Lucas made his Liverpool bow in the Champions League against Toulouse on August 28, 2007 and went on to make 30 appearances in league and cup competitions in his debut season, scoring his first goal for the Reds against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

Steven Gerrard Bio

Despite coming within hours of leaving Liverpool - twice - Steve Gerrard remains the talismanic figure which drives the club.

An absolute colossus in the centre of the park, Gerrard's tireless running, superb vision on the ball and ability to strike from distance have made him one of the best midfielders in the world.

The Liverpool-born academy graduate is already a legend at Anfield but in the summer 2005 he was just hours away from completing a £32million move to Chelsea, before protests by the Reds fans changed his mind.

It was the second summer in a row the midfielder had been forced to consider his future, with both Chelsea and Real Madrid circling.

Despite winning the Champions League in 2004/05 and reaching the final in 2006/07 Gerrard's gripe is that Liverpool have failed to mount a challenge on the Premier League title.

Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in 1998 as a second half substitute for Vegard Heggem against Blackburn. His full debut came in the UEFA Cup against Celta Vigo at Anfield.

He claimed a midfield spot as his own during 1999/2000, placing then-captain Jamie Redknapp's future in doubt and has since become the foundation around which managers Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez have built the team.

In 2001 Gerrard scooped a quartet of trophies as he picked up winners' medals in the UEFA Cup, Worthington Cup, FA Cup and European Super Cup.

In October 2003 the midfielder was handed the Liverpool captaincy and the responsibility transformed the player's performances from top class to the brink of world class.

During the 2007/08 season the transfer rumours died down as he signed a contract extension until 2011, reportedly making him the highest paid British player in the league, but despite netting 21 goals Liverpool ended the season without a trophy.

Gerrard has limitless energy, has a great eye for a final pass and is a prolific scorer for a midfielder - often scoring blistering long-range strikes that has become his trademark.

He made his England debut against Ukraine on May 31, 2000 and on the same day was named in Kevin Keegan's Euro 2000 squad. He was one of the few successes of the dire campaign, when he came on as a substitute to hold the midfield against Germany.

Gerrard has since become a regular for England, and scored England's second goal in the historic 5-1 demolition of Germany in September 2001. Injury forced him out of the 2002 World Cup but has been at every major tournament that England have qualified for since.

Gerrard is simply one of the outstanding performers of the Premier League, a star of the European stage and the kind of player every team in the world would covet.

Nabil El Zhar Bio

Liverpool signed this Moroccan international from St Etienne in October 2006 after El Zhar rejected a new contract offer from the French club.

Despite being born in France, and representing Les Bleus at youth Level, the striker opted to play for the country of his parents' birth and was one of the stars as he helped Morocco reach the semi-finals of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.

A regular for the Reds reserves he made his senior debut as a substitute for Luis Garcia against Portsmouth in November 2006 and made two other first-team appearances in 2006/07.

The Forward made his first start in a Carling Cup tie against Cardiff City in October 2007 and scored his first goal for the club, a 25-yard screamer in front of the Kop.

On the 26 March 2008, El Zhar made a goalscoring debut for Morocco in a 4-1 away win against Belgium.

Yossi Benayoun Bio

In July 2007 Liverpool paid £4million to bring the Israel captain to Anfield from West Ham United - as a replacement for Luis Garcia, who joined Atletico Madrid as part of the deal that brought Fernando Torres in the opposite direction.

A few eyebrows were raised when the playmaker first arrived at Anfield but by the end of the 2007/08 campaign Benayoun, who was not an automatic first choice, had scored 11 goals during his debut season.

Benayoun made his Reds bow in a Champions League qualifier against Toulouse in August 2007 and scored his first Liverpool goal in a 4-2 Carling Cup victory at Reading.

Benayoun joined West Ham United ahead of a host of other suitors, including Champions League qualifiers Everton, in July 2005. The Premier League newcomers paid Racing Santander £2.5million to bring him to Upton Park on a four-year contract.

The Israel international had been tipped to move away from Santander as the debt-ridden club looked to ease their financial woes by cashing in on the rising star.

Nicknamed 'The Diamond' in his home nation of Israel, Benayoun's arrived in the Primera Liga from Maccabi Haifa in 2003 and played 35 league games for Santander in 2004/05, scoring nine goals.

He is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in Israeli football and added flair and attacking impetus to the Hammers side.

Benayoun revealed he took the advice of fellow Israeli and former Hammers favourite Eyal Berkovic before sealing his transfer.

His career at West Ham took off almost immediately, albeit amidst controversy surrounding his perceived shunning of Bolton Wanderers.

His flair, creativity and originality improved the West Ham squad and he proved to be a valuable member of the side that reached the FA Cup final and enjoyed such success in the 2005/06 season.

Surprisingly strong, despite his slight appearance, Benayoun has established himself as one of the best creative players in the Premier League.

He agreed a new five-year deal with West Ham in May 2007 but two months later signed a four-year contract with Liverpool.

Ryan Babel Bio

Liverpool have tried time and again to find a wide man to take them onto the next level and Babel is the latest to try his hand at Anfield following an £11.5million transfer from Ajax in July 2007.

The versatile left-sided player, who can play as a striker or on the flank, earned hi move following an impressive European U21 Championships with eventual victors and hosts Holland.

He dropped down to the U21s for the 2007 tournament despite being capped at senior level. He was part of Marco van Basten's Dutch squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although he featured only once as a second-half substitute for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He was also included in Van Basten's squad for Euro 2008 but had to withdraw from the squad after tearing ankle ligaments in training.

Babel made it through a youth selection day at Ajax to join the academy and eventually made his first team debut as a 17-year-old in a 4-0 home win over ADO Den Haag in 2004. He became a regular in 2004/05 and finished the season with 7 league goals in 20 appearances.

The following Eredivisie campaign proved tough for Babel and he ended the 2005/06 season with only two league goals. Although he did score the winner in the Dutch Super Cup and came off the bench to help win the Dutch Cup final.

Babel marked the start of 2006/07 with another Dutch Super Cup winners' medal but once again struggled to find the back of the net, scoring only 5 goals in 27 Eredivisie matches.

Although not prolific during his early career as a professional he was still expected to become an excellent striker. However, his role at Liverpool has been as a lightening-quick left-winger with licence to drift infield.

His made his Reds debut fir the Reds on August 11, 2007 when as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa. The following month he netted his first goal for the club, beating two derby defenders to score at Anfield. He ended the 2007/08 season with 10 goals in 49 appearances.

Xabi Alonso Bio

Alonso was one of the first players manager Rafael Benitez brought to Liverpool, paying Real Sociedad £10.5million to secure his signature in August 2004.

The Spanish international quickly proved himself to be one of the clubs most impressive signings with performances of great vision and passing ability.

Given the size of the price tag he had to produce and, unlike fellow Spaniard Luis Garcia, he won over the Anfield supporters with a series of superb displays.

However, the gifted playmaker endured a tough 2007/08 season at Anfield as he slipped down the pecking order, sparking speculation that he would be sold, but managed to force his way back into manager Rafael Benitez's side in the final stages of the campaign.

That was enough to secure his place in the Spanish squad for Euro 2008 and Alonso made four appearances as Spain won the competition to become European Champions.

He returned to Liverpool and despite being linked with a transfer to Juventus claimed he was happy to remain at Anfield.

The son of former Sociedad boss Periko Alonso, a midfield warrior for Sociedad, Barcelona and Spain, Xabi was one of the most important players in a Sociedad side which finished as runners-up to Real Madrid in the 2002/03 season - missing out on the final day.

But the 2003/04 was a disappointment for Sociedad. In a fall from grace reminiscent of Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers in the 1990s, they went from championship challengers to relegation fodder in a matter of months. After a decent start they slid down the table, recovering to finish five points above Real Valladolid in the final relegation place.

After switching to Liverpool after international duty with Spain at Euro 2004, he made his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers and soon became a vital player for the Anfield club.

It was a huge blow when, following a tackle by Chelsea's Frank Lampard, he was ruled out for three-and-a-half months just after the turn of the year.

He returned to help Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, scoring the goal which completed the comeback from three goals down against AC Milan before victory was secured on penalties.

Alonso's quality performances continued through 2005/06 and in January 2006 he scored from his won half against Luton Town in the FA Cup 3rd round and improved on that strike with another goal from inside his own half against Newcastle in September of the same year.

In June 2007 Alonso signed an improved 5-year contract, which will last until 2012.

In England he lives next door to Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta, who he grew up with on the same street in San Sebastián, Spain.

Martin Skrtel Bio

Slovak international Skrtel joined Liverpool for a fee of £6.5 million in January 2008, signing a four-year contract.

The 6'4" no-nonsense centre-back made his full Liverpool debut that same month in the 4th Round of the FA Cup against non-league Havant & Waterlooville It was not a great start as he nervously gave away a corner which put Liverpool 1-0 behind.

However, he recovered from a wobbly start to be voted as Man of the Match on the club's official website on a number of occasions as he played out 19 games in his debut season.

Skrtel began his career with FC Previdza after choosing to follow his father into football instead of following a career in ice hockey.

From there he enjoyed a spell with FC Trencin before moving to the Russian Premier League with FC Zenit in 2004. He played 113 times and scored five goals for the club.

Sami Hyypia Bio

Hyypia's performances for Liverpool since joining the club from Willem II earned him a reputation as one of the Premier Leagues best defenders but as his contract draws to a close under the reign of Rafa Benitez he has become more of a peripheral, if still influential, player.

Calm on the ball, commanding in the air, strong in the tackle and with leadership qualities, he was the bedrock of the Reds back line from the beginning of the 1999/2000 season. And although the Finnish international is reaching the twilight of his professional career, he continues to be a reliable player for Liverpool.

After fading from the picture following the arrival of young centre-half Daniel Agger in January 2006 but a long-term injury to the Danish defender allowed Hyypia to re-establish himself in the first-team.

With Slovakian international Martin Skrtel arriving at the club in January 2008, and Agger now fit, Hyypia looks set for a bit-part role at Anfield. However, the big Finn has a collection of winner's medals that has already established him as a Liverpool legend.

Hyypia shared the captaincy at Anfield with Robbie Fowler during the 2000/01 treble season when the Reds won the Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup.

The centre-back relinquished the captain's armband at the start of the 2003/04 season after a dip in form. Manager Gerard Houllier believed the change would help the Finn rediscover his best form.

In 2004, new Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez moved Jamie Carragher from fullback to partner Hyypia in central defence - a move that rejuvenated the centre-back. And he was back to his best as Liverpool amazingly won the Champions League in 2004/05.

Hyypia passed 390 games for Liverpool in 2006/07 and climbed into the top 25 in the club's all-time appearances table.

The Finnish defender began his career with MyPa Anjalankoski and his form for club and country attracted the attentions of Dutch outfit Willem II who signed him in 1995.

He captained Willem II to a place in the Champions League for the following season.

Hyypia was spotted by Liverpool chief scout Ron Yeats during a friendly game for Finland against Germany and he signed for the club in the summer of 1999. His partnership with fellow new signing Stephane Henchoz was superb.

Hyypia is still a dominant presence and his height enables him to win most aerial challenges and offer a goal threat from corners and set pieces.

Andrea Dossena Bio

Left-back Andrea Dossena signed from Serie A side Udinese for £7 million in the summer of 2008 and was handed the No.2 shirt.

The Italian was a direct replacement for John Arne Riise, who joined Roma in the same transfer window.

Dossena came through the ranks at Italian side Hellas Verona and spent four years in the senior squad before heading to Udinese in 2005.

He returned from a season-long loan spell with Treviso FBC ahead of the 2006/07 season and his subsequent form was good enough to earn him a first cap for Italy, against South Africa in October 2007.

Jamie Carragher Bio

Carragher progressed through the youth ranks at Liverpool and made his debut for his hometown club during the 1996/97 season as a substitute against Middlesbrough in the League Cup.

The defender's Premiership bow also came from the bench, against West Ham United, and marked his first ever start a week later with the opening goal in a 3-0 home win over Aston Villa.

He became a regular the following season and by the 1998/1999 campaign was considered a player of real promise - which led to his first full international cap in April as an England substitute against Hungary.

The player made a defensive berth his own at Liverpool during 1999/2000 and continued to be a regular in Gerard Houllier's side during 2000/01 season.

Carragher saw off the challenge of German international Christian Ziege to take the left-back slot, despite being right-footed, as Liverpool enjoyed a massively successful season.

He hit the headlines in January 2002 during an FA Cup tie at Arsenal. A coin was thrown from the crowd, and Carragher opted to throw it back into the fans. He earned a red card and a disrepute charge from the FA.

Carragher missed out on the 2002 World Cup, needing surgery on an injury over the summer.

Having shifted from left-back to right-back the signing of Steve Finnan in the summer of 2003 placed real pressure on his place in the team. And he was ruled out for the first half of the season when his leg was broken following a terrible challenge by Blackburn's Lucas Neill in mid-September.

He returned to fitness to be named in England's squad for Euro 2004, but he didn't play in Portugal.

Carragher really came of age in 2004/05 under the tutelage of Benitez, who moved him into the central defensive position and he was voted Liverpool's Player of the Season.

The partnership with Sami Hyypia became one of the strongest in the Premier League - and also conquered Europe as Liverpool surprisingly lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005.

Liverpool through and through and surely destined to play his entire career for the Anfield club and has been awarded the freedom of his home town Sefton, Merseyside, for his local charity work.

His determination to give 100 per cent has made him a firm favourite with both the manager and the fans. His commitment to the Reds' miserly defence was one of the key reasons Liverpool made it to the 2006/07 European Cup final, although they lost to AC Milan.

En-route to the final, in a semi-final second leg against Chelsea on 1 May 2007, Carragher set a record for the most appearances in European competition for the club. His 90th European match took him past Ian Callaghan and once again he was voted Liverpool's Player of the Year for the 2006/07 season by the fans.

Carragher made his 500th appearance for Liverpool on 15 January 2008, in the home FA cup fixture against Luton Town. He was made captain for this match.

Carragher called time on his England career during the brief reign of Steve McClaren after being overlooked as an international centre-back by a series of England managers, who preferred to use the versatile defender as cover along the back four and even as a holding midfielder.

Álvaro Arbeloa Bio

Alvaro Arbeloa came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and went on to skipper the B team whilst Rafa Benitez was in charge of the Real Madrid Castilla set up.

Arbeloa played twice for the Real Madrid first team before joining Deportivo in July 2006 and then Liverpool in February 2007, for £2.5million, to be reunited with his former youth team coach.

He made his Premiership debut against Newcastle United in the same month, coming as a substitute for Jermaine Pennant, and made his full debut against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp.

Charged with marking Lionel Messi he did a sterling job and has earned a place Luis Aragones Spain squad just in time to make the plane for Euro 2008.

Despite only making one appearance in a dead-rubber against Greece Arbeloa was still part of the Spain squad that beat Germany in the final of the European Championships.

Arbeloa is a versatile defender who has played across the back-four and in midfield during his time at Anfield.