Ex-Liverpool star Steve McManaman celebrates his birthday today and the Anfield club has paid tribute to their former left-midfielder via their official Twitter account.
McManaman went on to play 359 times for the club and scored 63 goals in the famous red strip. However, in 1999 he swapped Merseyside for Real Madrid, much to the disappointment of some Liverpool fans which still lingers today.
Having signed a deal worth £14m (as per The Telegraph via LFC History), the player, who had come through the club’s youth system, refused to sign a contract extension at Anfield before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Is Steve McManaman a Liverpool legend?
Yes
No
At the time, McManaman was 26 years old and in his farewell interview, highlighted the fact he had always wanted to play on the continent.
More than 20 years have passed since the former England international departed for the Bernabeu but it appears some supporters are still not over it.
? how he works for the club is beyond me
— Andy Barrett (@andrewbarrett70) February 11, 2020
?
— ? (@FirmiFatale) February 11, 2020
Got no time for him.
— Pete Allcock (@allcockp) February 11, 2020
Run his contract down to.leave on a free to Real Madrid
— Alan Moore (@amoore1091) February 11, 2020
You mean when he left us high and dry for the money?
— DeAsha7 (@Asha7De) February 11, 2020
I’d put him in the same bracket as Emre Can, good player but ran down his contract to leave on a free, never a liverpool legend
— Poetry in motion (@truered786) February 11, 2020
What do we think?
The former Liverpool star went on to make 158 appearances for the European giants (according to Transfermarkt), tasting Champions League glory twice as well as winning two La Liga titles during his time in the Spanish capital. Although the circumstances around his transfer weren’t ideal and have unfortunately left a bad taste in the mouth of some Liverpool supporters, that shouldn’t deter from what a brilliant footballer he was.