Andrea Dossena
Birthdate: 11 September 1981
Birthplace: Lodi, Italy
Other clubs: Verona (2001-05), Treviso (2005-07), Udinese (loan 2006-07 + signed 2007-08), Napoli (2010-)
Bought from: Udinese
Signed for LFC: £7m, 04.07.2008
International debut: 17.10.2007 vs. South Africa
International caps: 10/0 (9/0 at LFC) - 21.06.2009
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Liverpool debut: 13.08.2008
Last appearance: 19.12.2009
Debut goal: 10.03.2009
Last goal: 14.03.2009
Contract expiry: 08.01.2010
Win ratio: 54.84% W: 17 D: 8 L: 6
Total games/goals opposite LFC: 2 / 0
LFC league games/goals: 18 / 1
Total LFC games/goals: 31 / 2
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Player profile
Dossena claimed to be an English-style rugged defender who takes no prisoners and also a powerful attacker. He started his professional career at Verona who were relegated to Seria B in his second season. Dossena joined Treviso in the 2005/6 season, but following the club's relegation from Seria A, Udinese became his co-owners in 2006. Dossena featured at Udinese in 2006-07, joining the club permanently in 2007. His excellent form earned him a call-up to the Italian international team. When John Arne Riise departed for Rome, Rafa Benítez saw Dossena as his replacement. The Italian looked woefully out of sorts in his debut season with Liverpool but confessed to struggling playing further upfield than he was used to in Italy. He did impress in attack when he came on as substitute against Manchester United and Real Madrid and added Liverpool's fourth on each occasion. Dossena was linked with a move to Juventus and Napoli in the summer of 2009 but stayed to fight for his place at Liverpool. However, after making only three starts for the first team in the 2009/10 season, it came as no surprise when he moved to Napoli on a four-year deal in the January transfer window.
Dossena has nailed a regular spot in Napoli's team and played in both Europa League matches against his previous employers in 2010/11, his errant back-pass at Anfield allowing Liverpool to equalise through Steven Gerrard. In 2011/12 Dossena appeared in the Champions League six times as Napoli reached the knock-out stage of the competition, heading a tough group that included Bayern München and Manchester City before being eliminated by the eventual winners, Chelsea.