Liverpool FC nostalgia: gods return... plus five other players who came home to Anfield. Its nine years today Robbie Fowler came back to Anfield. It was the return many hoped would happen but few thought possible. Against all expectations, Liverpool FC saw the second coming of the man their followers regarded as ‘God’. Yes, nine years ago today Rafael Benitez surprised everybody by signing Robbie Fowler more than four years after the striker had left Anfield. The Kop rejoiced. Back again was one of their own, a player who had netted 154 goals in 330 appearances between 1993 and 2001 and regarded as arguably the most natural finisher in the club’s history. While injuries had taken their toll, Fowler’s second spell saw him score 12 goals in 39 games and help the Reds to the Champions League final in 2007. But he wasn’t the first – nor last – player to return to Liverpool having previously left, each with varying degrees of success. Ian Rush. The greatest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history, Rush took a while to get going following a move from Chester City in 1980 – but then didn’t stop. The club’s top scorer in six of his first seven full seasons – the only other time, he missed part of the campaign through injury – the Welshman notched 207 goals in 331 appearances before Juventus took him to Italy in 1987. Despite it being like living in a foreign country (a quote Rush never actually said) he still top-scored for the Serie A side before Liverpool lured him back 12 months later. Rush wasn’t quite as prolific in his second spell – although 139 goals in 329 games was still good going – but scored in two FA Cup finals, won another championship and captained the Reds to a League Cup triumph. Steve Staunton Snapped up from Dundalk, Staunton made his debut from the bench against Tottenham Hotspur in the league in September 1988 and scored on his first start in a much-forgotten Centenary Trophy semi-final defeat at Arsenal. While a left-back by trade, Staunton’s versatility was such that, the following year, he scored a hat-trick against Wigan Athletic when replacing Ian Rush at half-time of a League Cup tie. Staunton was a regular in 1990-91 but the introduction of rules limiting the number of non-English players at each club meant he was moved on to Aston Villa. The Irishman, though, was back on a free transfer in 1998. But Staunton was past his best and after 40 appearances in his first season, his outings were limited the following campaign before he returned to Villa. All told, in his two spells Staunton made 148 appearances and notched seven goals. Craig Bellamy Bellamy realised a childhood dream when Liverpool, the club he supported as a youngster, came calling in 2006. The Welshman may have only stayed a season but made an impact (not just on John Arne Riise with a golf club) by scoring in the famous Champions League victory at Barcelona. But having been an unused substitute in the final, the arrival of Fernando Torres pushed Bellamy towards the exit. However, the return of his hero Kenny Dalglish as manager in 2011 was enough to persuade Bellamy to have another crack at Anfield at the age of 32. Again, it lasted barely 12 months, but that was enough for Bellamy to help the Reds beat hometown club Cardiff City in the League Cup final and set up the winner for Andy Carroll in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton. Bellamy finished with 18 goals in 79 appearances for the Reds. Fabio Aurelio Okay, a slight cheat here. Rafael Benitez went back to former club Valencia to sign Aurelio in the summer of 2006, and the left-back played a key role for the Reds until rupturing his Achilles in a Champions League quarter-final tie at PSV Eindhoven. Aurelio’s injury problems meant he was let go at the end of the 2009-10 season. However, when Roy Hodgson took over, the need for a left-back meant Aurelio was re-signed a few weeks later, despite being crocked. After an injury-hit campaign, the Brazilian made only three appearances the following season before leaving Anfield for good in June 2012. Aurelio made only 134 appearances over six seasons and scored four goals. Two, though, were memorable free-kicks at Manchester United and Chelsea. Rickie Lambert Born in Kirkby, Lambert was on Liverpool’s books as a youngster before being let go in 1997 at the age of 15. He went on to forge a reputation as a crack goalscorer in the lower leagues with Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before a transfer to Southampton. Lambert helped the Saints move from League One up to the Premier League, with his goals earning England recognition and a place at the World Cup last summer. Shortly before the finals, Lambert agreed a surprise switch to Liverpool in a £4million deal. Matters have subsequently not quite gone as intended for the forward, but Lambert will hope to play an increasing role under Brendan Rodgers during the final few months of the campaign.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:35:17 +0000
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