Past playersMohamed Sissoko

The Malian had played under Rafael Benitez in Spain so it was no surprise when he chose Liverpool over other Premier League interest.

Benitez dared to compare his new signing with Arsenal star Patrick Vieira - and the fans certainly weren't disappointed in his first two seasons.

Sissoko added steel previously lacking in the Liverpool midfield, though his first campaign on Merseyside was interrupted by a career-threatening eye injury sustained in a challenge with Benfica's Beto.

After just a month on the sidelines he made a shock return against Birmingham City. On doctor's orders he donned protective goggles - though they didn't make it to half-time.

Two months later Sissoko put in a supreme performance in the FA Cup final against West Ham United. The Man of the Match accolade would have been his but for the last-minute heroics of captain Steven Gerrard.

Never mind; following a summer's break he was back at Cardiff for the Community Shield, and this time he did walk away with all the plaudits.

After an impressive start to the 2006-07 season, the No.22 was back on the stretcher when he dislocated his shoulder against Birmingham. The injury ruled him out for three months.

Come February, Sissoko was back and putting in another stunning display, this time in Camp Nou as the Reds beat Barcelona 2-1. The return leg saw him nearly break his goalscoring duck for the club - but he was denied by the crossbar.

Supporters would have to wait until the start of the 2007-08 season to see him get off the mark - and it proved to be a landmark goal for Liverpool. His 25-yard drive against Roy Keane's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light was the club's 7,000th league goal.

Despite this, Sissoko was struggling to recapture the form he showed prior to his injuries and was sold to Juventus in January 2008 for a fee believed to be more than £8 million.