Ahead of the Merseyside Derby, we look at some of the most disappointing stars that have participated in the derby since the 90s.
From the back, we start with Brad Jones. The goalkeeper was the replacement of Simon Mignolet late 2014 as the Belgian was struggling with form and consistency. The understudy had his chance but he could not impress. His only Merseyside derby action was in the October 2012 game that ended in a stalemate. With Jones now in the Eredivisie and Loris Karius usurping Mignolet before returning back to the bench, there’s a lesson.
Marc Hottiger came highly recommended from Newcastle in the 90s but he stayed just 16 months before moving to the Swiss League. He featured in the 1996 Merseyside match where Reds legend Robbie Fowler equalized after Everton went ahead through Andrei Kanchelskis. Hottiger makes this list as right back but in the left wing, it’s Andrea Dossena: the man who netted in the 4-0 Real Madrid victory and four days later against Manchester United in 2009. His career has since wound down.
In central defence, TorbenPiechnik and Mauricio Pellegrino would emerge. Pellegrino was part of the team that did the Istanbul miracle. He was the first Argentinean to play at Anfield in 2005. He had a bad start but had his breakthrough in the Merseyside derby of 2005 where Liverpool won 2-1. On the other hand, Danish star Piechnik spent two years at the Merseyside but failed to build a name for himself.
Tobias Linderoth joined in 2002 as a central midfielder under the Walter Smith regime. However when David Moyes came on board, the party was over for the Swede. Andy can der Meyde and Milan Jovanovic take the wings. The 2010 addition to Liverpool Jovanovic was just poor business but Can Der Meyde had a bit on an impact on the derbies. Van Der Meyde fouled Xabi Alonso and was sent off once but he made the assist as Dan Gosling scored in the extra time in the FA Cup fourth round replay of 2009.
Denis Stracqualursi and Anthony Le Tallecfailed to prove their mark for either party. Le Tallec barely played top level football after exiting Liverpool while Stracqualursi was little respite after the Toffees lost their best legs in 2011.