When Liverpool let legend, Robbie Fowler go, they schocked the Premier League. When they signed Nicoals Anelka on loan,thay shocked the world of football. Anelka was signed on loan from french club, Paris St. Germain in Decmber 2001 tiil the end of the season. Liverpool have the option of making the deal permanent at the end of the season. Many thought that Liverpool wouldn't be able to find a player who could fill the shoes of Robbie but Houllier, couldn't have picked a better replacemnet in Nicolas Anelka, formerly known as 'le sulk'.
Anelka who was notorious for his bad attitude had played in Arsenal and controversialy moved to Real Madrid where he did win a UEFA Champions legaue medal but didn't have a good time at the club. He was ban for 44 days by the club's governing body for his bad attitude. He then moved back to Paris, his home town, in hope to get his career back on track. It didn't work. Anelka, once again fell out with the coaching staff and was forced to sit on the bench for most of his time there until Liverpool came along.
While at Highbury, he helped the Gunners to the double and also got himself into the french national side at still a vey young age. He won the PFA young player of the year award in 1998 and became one of Europe's most deadly strikers.
Anelka failed to make an impact when he went back to France and because of that he lost his place in the french side and the PSG team. He moved to Liverpool the same day as Milan Baros and he made his debut, when he came on as a substitute in the Boxing day win at Aston Villa. He scored his first Liverpool goal in the FA cup and he couldn't ahve picked a better time to score his first Premier League goal, which came against Everton in the 1-1 draw.
Anelka was one of Europe's most dangerous strikers and with his frightening pace and agility, why won't he be. He came to Liverpool and since then as settled into the team well with some very good displays. He seems to be back doing what he loves best, which is terrorising other defences and scoring goals. Liverpool could make the deal permanent in the summer and the way Anelka is playing, I see no reason why they won't. He has regained his form and his in good spirits and he also loves the club. I can't remember him saying that about any of his orevious clubs!
The only down side is that Anelka is ineligible for the UEFA Champions league after already representing PSG in UEFA competition but he is getting the job done for Liverpool in the Premier League and if Liverpool do decide to make the deal permaanent in the summer, he will cost us about 15 million pounds. |
