Liverpool FC & The curse of the wingers

After Yossi Benayoun spoke out about leaving the club if he does not get a game, let's take a look at some of the other players who have been signed to play on the wings and have turned out to be a disappointment or not suceeded.

The one who wants to leave Yossi Benayoun - signed from West Ham as a versatile player able to play anywhere across the front line, he was meant to be a replacement for the departed Luis Garcia; but after a promising start he fizzled out a bit, and has spent most of his time on the bench or not in the squad. Came out recently to say "If the situation remains the same over the next few months, and I’m not getting more time in the middle, I will not want to continue as a Liverpool player,". 'I will not want to continue as a Liverpool player?' is he mad? To be honest, i cannot see him getting in any other side playing at the top level we are at.

Don't get me wrong, i'd prefer it if he stayed, but learnt how to shoot rather than trying to walk the ball into the net every time. He has had 11 goals in 63 appearances for Liverpool.

The one who left for nothing Steve McManaman - was a fan's favourite for years, a fast and tricky right winger who had the ability to put any defender on their arse and either score himself or set up someone else (usually Fowler). Macca decided he didn't want to stay at Liverpool, and left on a free transfer to Real Madrid in 1999. Liverpool had received offers in previous seasons for Macca, who turned a move down, then left the club for nothing; but went on to win the European Cup at Real. He made 364 appearances bagging 66 goals.

The one who couldn't hack it Mark Gonzalez - His transfer was over a year in the making: Liverpool tried to sign him on loan, but his work permit was rejected, so he spent loan spells in Spain at Albacete and Real Sociedad to become eligible for a Spanish passport. Liverpool fans had heard of Gonzalez, and soon videos of him scoring free kicks from miles out, and after watching him use his blistering pace and tricks in action; the supporters were excited (and rightly so) about the pending arrival of the Chilean International. 3 goals in 36 less than impressive appearances meant he was on his way back to Spain, joining Real Betis for £4.5million.

The Injury Prone winger that everyone had high hopes for You guessed it - Harry Kewell. Signed from Leeds for just £5million; everyone thought this was the bargain of the century - a left sided winger with Premiership experience and a decent goal record (he scored 63 for Leeds). Given the sacred number 7 shirt, Kewell's Liverpool career started brightly, 11 goals in his first season and plenty of signs of promise. That is where it started to go down hill, Kewell picked up a string of injuries during the 04/05 season, but was controversially picked to start in the 2005 European Cup final against AC Milan. After just 23 minutes, Kewell went off injured (surprise) to a chorus of boos from the sea of Red that followed Liverpool to Istanbul. 05/06 looked like a change in fortunes for Kewell, but again, Liverpool got to a cup final, and he went off injured again.

He spent time in and out of the side, trying to recover from various niggling injuries, and tried to win a new contract at Anfield. Instead of training at Melwood, Kewell went to Singapore to play for Australia, much to the anger of Rafa Benitez. Rafa still offered Harry a new deal on lower pay, but Kewell refused and was released by Liverpool.

The former Chelsea man Bolo Zenden, signed from Middlesbrough on a free transfer (he previously spent time at Stamford Bridge), Zenden joined in 2005, and was seen as a backup player in midfield. He spent most of his time on the left, but also played central midfield on the odd occasion. Zenden was seen as not good enough to play for Liverpool; but put in some decent performances against Chelsea in the Champion's League semi final of 2007, and had the balls to step up and score a great penalty in the shoot out too. Bolo suffered with knee injuries, leaving him on the sidelines , and he eventually joined Marseille on a free transfer.

The alcoholic joker Jermaine Pennant. Recently pictured out on the ale, drinking Whiskey straight from the bottle; drowning his sorrows after being left out of the side again. Pennant's reputation is always going to preceed him, after he was convicted of drink driving and spent time in prison. Another player who started off well; determined to prove his days as a bad boy were behind him, he scored his first goal with a sublime volley against Chelsea in a 2-0 win. He also received the man of the match award in the 2007 Champion's League final, but has since gone on to become a bench warmer and getting the odd run out. He is always referred to as the prankster in the dressing room by other players in the matchday programmes, maybe he should spend his time fighting for his place rather than getting snapped drinking spirits while his team mates are playing for the club. 3 goals in 79 appearances shows another winger unable to contribute to the goal tally.

The one with passport problems Sebastian Leto managed just four first team appearances (two in Europe, two in cup competitions). Signed from Lanus in 2007 for £1.85million, Leto made his debut against Shanghai Shenhua and showed signs of promise, pulling off the odd trick he looked like he could have a decent future ahead of him. He had to spend most of his time in the reserves after his work permit was revoked due to passport problems, but the reserves was where he started to shine. He looked a cut above the rest in some games, and his performances were getting decent reviews, but he couldn't make a Premiership appearance after his Italian passport was revoked. He has since gone on loan to Olypmiakos.

Breaking the mould Albert Riera and Ryan Babel. Babel signed from Ajax in 2007, and although he has mainly been a substitute, he has made a big impact at Anfield, showing his great pace, eye for goal with a thunderous shot on him, and plenty of tricks up his sleeve. He can play on the left, right or his preferred position as a striker. He needs match fitness, but with 11 goals in 63 games (including the winner against Man Utd this season), Babel has given Liverpool fans hope of a bright future. Albert Riera signed from Espanyol in the summer, and i don't remember him having a bad game yet, his debut against Man Utd proved he was able to perform at the highest level, and looked like he had been at Anfield for years. He had previously spent time at Man City, but never really showed what he was capable of. He is strong on the ball, has decent control, and can get a good cross in, and even managed to score his first goal with his weaker foot. Finally, Liverpool have a left sided winger they can rely on - it's not all doom and gloom!