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Ronny Rosenthal

Birthdate: 11 October 1963 Birthplace: Haifa, Israel Other clubs: Maccabi Haifa (1974-86), Bruges (1986-88), Standard Liege (1988-90), Tottenham Hotspur (1994-97), Watford (1997-99) Bought from: Standard Liege Signed for LFC: £1m, loan 22.03.1990 - Transfer 29.06.1990 International debut: 19.12.1984 vs. Luxembourg International caps: 60/11 - 1996

Liverpool debut: 31.03.1990 Last appearance: 30.10.1993 Debut goal: 11.04.1990 Last goal: 20.03.1993 Contract expiry: 26.01.1994 Win ratio: 44.33% W: 43 D: 22 L: 32 Games/goals ratio: 4.41 Total games/goals opposite LFC: 4 / 0 LFC league games/goals: 74 / 21 Total LFC games/goals: 97 / 22

Player profile

Rosenthal became an instant cult hero with his explosive start to his Liverpool career. He had been on trial at first division Luton Town where he scored two goals in three games but they couldn't broker a deal with Liege. The asking price was £500,000. Liverpool asked Liege if they could have a look and after only one reserve appearance he was signed on a loan. Rosenthal's full debut for the first team was against Charlton where he scored no less than three times. "Kenny was disappointed with Peter Beardsley and told me an hour before the game I’d be playing. After 10 minutes I scored with my right foot, then again immediately after half-time with my left and finally with my head after combining with John Barnes. The perfect hat-trick, I believe they call it." Four goals in the last six games of the season followed, his contribution vital to Liverpool's League triumph. Rosenthal's good form saw his asking price rise by 100% but that didn't deter Liverpool from tying up a permanent deal in the summer.

Rosenthal's dream start did not though secure him a starting place the following season and Liverpool's club record of eight straight wins from the start of the campaign kept him firmly in the reserves. Rosenthal scored 19 goals that season for the second-string but sadly his opportunities to shine in the first team proved few and far between. He did score a memorable last-minute winner in front of the Kop in the Merseyside derby on 20 March 1993. "The Rocket Man" stayed at Anfield until January 1994 when Tottenham paid £250,000 to secure his contract. He made a hundred first-team appearances for Spurs scoring 11 goals, including a sensational second-half hat-trick in a cup replay at Southampton in 1995. In August 1997 Rosenthal moved on a free transfer to Watford and helped them win the Second Division Championship. He retired as a player at the end of the 1998/99 season at the age of 35.

Rosenthal has continued to live in England following his retirement and is a football consultant. His younger son Tom is a promising footballer at Watford's Football Academy. Unfortunately. Ronny is often remembered for the often-replayed miss at Villa Park in September 1992 when he somehow managed to hit the crossbar at the Holte End after rounding the home 'keeper and being presented with the most open of open goals. It has been conveniently forgotten that Ronny did score later in that match although Liverpool lost 4-2. Ronny has special memories from his time at Liverpool that are as delightfully quirky as his career was: "There was one incident I’ll never forget. We were warming up on the training field the morning after the Christmas party. Bruce Grobbelaar was leading the pack with Roy Evans behind him as we jogged round the pitch. Without warning Bruce breaks wind and as Roy was right behind him, he was the first to run into it. It was so bad Roy keeled over and actually started vomiting," Ronny said. "All the other players then ran into it and keeled over or tried to escape the poisonous gas. It really was the most incredible sight I’ve ever seen on a training field."

Stats note

Rosenthal was only on trial at Udinese and Luton Town prior to his move to Liverpool.

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Related Quotes

Ronny was adamant in securing his dream move:

"There are four clubs interested in signing me: Metz and Bordeaux from France and two other British teams. But Liverpool are my first choice as they play the best football in England. The competition for places would not worry me because I have great belief in my ability".

Ronny Rosenthal

"There was one incident I’ll never forget. We were warming up on the training field the morning after the Christmas party. Bruce Grobbelaar was leading the pack with Roy Evans behind him as we jogged round the pitch. Without warning Bruce breaks wind and as Roy was right behind him, he was the first to run into it. It was so bad Roy keeled over and actually started vomiting. All the other players then ran into it and keeled over or tried to escape the poisonous gas. It really was the most incredible sight I’ve ever seen on a training field."

Ronny Rosenthal

"Kenny was disappointed with Peter Beardsley and told me an hour before the game I’d be playing. After 10 minutes I scored with my right foot, then again immediately after half-time with my left and finally with my head after combining with John Barnes. The perfect hat-trick, I believe they call it. Yes, an incredible feeling. And I’ve still got the ball upstairs."

Ronny Rosenthal scored a memorable hat-trick vs. Charlton on 11th April 1990

"At 13 I was about the best chess player of my age in Israel. I remember Ray Houghton used to play chess. He was playing one of the younger players on a pre-season tour when I asked if I could play the winner. Ray was convinced I didn’t understand the game and would only play if the loser bought dinner and drinks for the evening. I agreed and two minutes later Ray was forking out for dinner and drinks all round. That was my one and only game as none of the players were prepared to take me on after that."

Rosenthal tricked Ray Houghton