Profile

American keeper Brad Friedel made 31 appearances in a red shirt and was Liverpool's first choice between the sticks for much of the 1997-98 season.

As a young student at the University of California, Brad excelled at various sports but after opting to pursue a career in football he started out with Danish side Brondby.

Brad then spent a season with Galatasary in Turkey under the stewardship of former Reds player and manager Graeme Souness - a working relationship which was to be reunited in the Premier League at Blackburn years later.

Arriving at Anfield in December 1997, Friedel was an early Christmas present from US side Columbus Crew. After a five year work permit battle Liverpool had finally got their man and the American shotstopper made his debut at Aston Villa in February 1998.

Friedel finished the season strongly and helped guide the Reds to a UEFA cup spot. He started 1998-99 as Liverpool's first choice keeper, but dwindling form lost him his place and in November 2000 he made the switch to Blackburn Rovers.

Brad has since cemented his position as one of the top keepers in England and currently holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances, after clocking up 190 back-to-back starts during his many years at Blackburn and current club Aston Villa.

The memory of Brad's time at Liverpool is perhaps best summed up by local band Half Man Half Biscuit, who immortalised him in their song 'I Went to a Wedding': "I heard a girl saying to a tall balding guest, 'So you're Brad Friedel - I'm mildly impressed.' "

Other clubs:
Brondby, Galatasaray, Columbus Crew, Blackburn, Aston Villa