Liverpool’s 2006 FA Cup Winning Team: Who Is Still Playing?

Liverpool is one of the most well-known football teams in the world. The Reds were established in 1892 at Anfield in Liverpool and have since etched their names in history. Since its humble beginnings, the club has won 70 titles and is looking to gather more. However, things have not always been as clear cut, considering the club went through a 30-year Premier League title draught that thankfully ended in the 2019–2020 season. But it is the 2006 team that proved they were a force that we still speak about today. This article looks at the 2006 Liverpool team that won the FA Cup and who is still involved in football.

Steven Gerrard

If one thinks about the up-and-coming FA Cup fixtures, it makes almost complete sense to think back to 2006 when Gerrard captained the Reds. Known as Captain Fantastic by many, this icon has never really left football and remains a solid name across the sport. His illustrious playing career allowed him to transition into coaching after retiring. His first managerial gig came in the form of the Liverpool U18s and Rangers in Scotland. Because Gerrard understands the game and quite well at that, he guided the team to an impressive Scottish Premiership title in the 2020–2021 season.

Gerrard did not end there, and by the 2021–2022 season, he had led the Rangers to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League. Gerrard is one of those football stars who are committed to developing players not only for glory but for long-term rewards. It is evident in his commitment to his players and coaching — coupled with his deep love of the sport — that we will see even more great things from this legend. Currently, he manages Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.

Pepe Reina

This Premier League Golden Glove Winner is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. A title his peers have gladly blessed him with. At 41, Reina knows retirement is on the cards, but so is managing a club. So, what makes him so great? He is arguably one of the most consistent goalkeepers, and by the time he left Liverpool in 2014, he had cemented his reputation at the club. Once Reina left Liverpool, the Spaniard entered the European leagues, playing for Bayern Munich, Napoli, and AC Milan.

By 2020, he returned to English football and joined Aston Villa, where his experience was the ultimate showpiece. While he provided experience on the pitch, he has not been in the spotlight compared to his days at Liverpool. Now Reina plays for Villarreal, which he joined in 2022, and last year, he extended his contract by a year, stating that he does not plan on retiring anytime soon.  

Xabi Alonso

Before we unpack the man, the myth, the legend, several rumors are floating around that suggest Alonso might be the new manager to take over from Jurgen Klopp; this makes complete sense since Alonso has proven his worth on countless occasions for the club. However, he has denied the rumors. There are many words to describe this football legend, but his elegant style of passing the ball captivated fans, pundits, and rivals. 
 
When Alonso departed Liverpool in 2009, he made the natural transition into the European League with significant success at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. In 2017, Alonso retired from playing professional football. By 2018, he had become the Real Madrid Youth Coach, but it barely lasted a season. In 2019, he started a three-year stint at Real Sociedad B, managing the side for 98 matches. By 2022, Alonso moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, which has been nothing short of a fairytale. With Bayer 04, Alonso took over the reins when the team was second from the bottom. Now, two seasons later, they are at the top of the Bundesliga — talk about the Xabi Alonso effect! 

Djibril Cissé

Cissé has been involved with football since he was very young and even played for his national side, France, 41 times. This forward has worked hard to establish himself among football greats, and at Liverpool from 2004 to 2007, he did just that. Cissé was instrumental in the FA Cup campaign of 2006, played a masterclass of football, and even scored a goal in the final. When he left the club, he played across various leagues, including the French League when he played for Marseille. 
 
Cissé would later play for Sunderland on loan, Panathinaikos, Lazio, Queens Park Rangers, Al-Gharafa on loan, Kuban Krasnodar, Bastia, Saint-Pierroise, Yverdon, and AC Vicenza. In 2021, he joined Panathinaikos Chicago for a short stint before moving to Los Troncos FC in 2023. At 42 years old, it does not look like Cissé will retire soon. Who knows if the managing is on the cards for this icon?  

Football Players Never Leave the Game

Unsurprisingly, some of the world’s best footballers never really retire from the sport. Take Steven Gerrard; he has come a long way since his playing days and now focuses on developing current players. Then there is Pepe Reina, who might not be in the spotlight as he once was but is still one of the most consistent goalkeepers ever. Then there is Xabi Alonso, who has proven just how excellent of a manager he is, and we are secretly hoping he becomes the Reds' new leader. And lastly, Djibril Cissé, who enjoys the game of football so much, just wants to keep going. Such players still have a lot left to give and opt for managerial positions, offering their expertise and guiding younger players to become great themselves.

Written by Alan Spencer