|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Birthdate:
17.01.1983
Birthplace: Salamanca, Spain
Other clubs: Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid (2)
Bought from: Deportivo La Coruna
Signed for LFC: £2640000 30.01.2007
International debut: 26.03.2008 vs. Italy
International caps: 17/0 - (9/0 at LFC) -11.08.2010
Liverpool debut:
10.02.2007
Last appearance: 17.05.2009
Debut goal: 07.04.2007
Last goal: 08.11.2008
Contract expiry: 30.07.2009
LFC league games/goals: 66 / 2
Total LFC games/goals: 98 / 2
|
Player Notes:
When Liverpool failed to bring Lucas Neill to Liverpool, the club went for Įlvaro Arbeloa to be Steve Finnan's understudy at right-back. Arbeloa joined Depor in the summer of 2006 from Real Madrid where he had mostly featured in Real's B-team, Castilla. Depor's financial difficulties forced them to sell Arbeloa, who had been a regular since his arrival, because they made a handsome profit on the deal. He impressed instantly for Liverpool vs. Barcelona in the Champions league where he showed his versatility in the left-back position and kept Lionel Messi quiet. He proved himself a consistent performer, who maybe lacked a bit of quality to be a top notch player.
Arbeloa appeared in 28 League and 13 cup matches during his first full season. Although his reputation from his time in Spain was mainly as a right-back, in a lot of matches, especially early in the season, he was switched to the other flank; and he was also able to fill in as a central defender if required. On the whole he was dependable, even if he never came close to doing anything much at the other end of the field, as he had done when scoring at Reading in April, 2007.
Arbeloa was in Spain's successful squad that won the European Championship in 2008 but only appeared in one match, against Greece, during the finals. He appeared in a further 43 first-team matches for Liverpool during the 2008-09 season and established himself as the team's first-choice right back. The signing of Glen Johnson in the close-season of 2009 led to much speculation that Arbeloa would move on, and after persistent rumours that had gone on for several weeks, LFC announced on the 29th of July 2009 that they had agreed a deal with Real Madrid for the player to return to Spain, subject to him passing a medical. The fee was believed to be three and a half million pounds. Arbeloa passed his medical the next day and signed a five-year contract with Madrid.
Alvaro played in 30 of Real Madrid's 38 League matches in 2009-10, scoring twice including an important goal in a 3-2 victory over city rivals Atletico. Arbeloa became 27 years old during the season but having signed a five-year deal in 2009 has plenty of time ahead of him to boost his number of Madrid appearances. |
|
|
|
|
