Liverpool’s 2009/10 Europa League campaign was one of mixed fortunes. After dropping out of the Champions League, the Reds were determined to make the most of their second-tier European adventure. Under the guidance of manager Rafa Benitez, Liverpool went on to reach the semi-finals, only to be knocked out by Atletico Madrid. But how many of the 22 players who featured in the competition can you recall?
The Europa League provides an opportunity for managers to rotate their squads and give some of their senior players a rest. This was certainly true of Liverpool in 2009/10, with Benitez making full use of his squad to ensure that the team was in peak condition for each game. In total, 22 players featured for the Reds in the competition, with some becoming household names and others fading into obscurity.
The Goalkeepers
The first name on the list is goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Reina was a mainstay of the Liverpool side during this period and was an ever-present in the Europa League. He made 13 appearances in the competition, keeping five clean sheets along the way. The Spaniard was ably backed up by reserve goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, who made two appearances in the competition.
The Defenders
At the back, Liverpool had a solid core of defenders. Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel were ever-present in the side, with both making 11 appearances in the Europa League. Daniel Agger also featured heavily, making nine appearances in the competition. The Danish defender was a key part of Benitez’s side and his presence was sorely missed when he left the club in 2014.
Other defenders to feature included Fabio Aurelio, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Emiliano Insua, Philipp Degen, and Andrea Dossena. Aurelio was a regular in the side, making seven appearances in the Europa League. Kyrgiakos and Insua both made four appearances, while Degen and Dossena made three and two appearances respectively.
The Midfielders
In midfield, Liverpool had a wealth of talent at their disposal. Steven Gerrard was a mainstay of the side, making 10 appearances in the competition. He was joined by Javier Mascherano, who made seven appearances, and Lucas Leiva, who made six. The trio formed a formidable midfield partnership and were instrumental in Liverpool’s run to the semi-finals.
Other midfielders to feature included Yossi Benayoun, Alberto Aquilani, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, and Maxi Rodriguez. Benayoun made five appearances in the competition, while Aquilani made four. Kuyt and Babel both made three appearances, while Rodriguez made two.
The Forwards
Up front, Liverpool had a wealth of attacking talent at their disposal. Fernando Torres was a mainstay of the side, making nine appearances in the competition. He was joined by David Ngog, who made seven appearances, and Albert Riera, who made five. The trio formed a formidable attacking partnership and were instrumental in Liverpool’s run to the semi-finals.
Other forwards to feature included Andriy Voronin, Nabil El Zhar, and Samed Yesil. Voronin made four appearances in the competition, while El Zhar and Yesil both made two.
Conclusion
Liverpool’s 2009/10 Europa League campaign was one of mixed fortunes. Despite reaching the semi-finals, they were eventually knocked out by Atletico Madrid. But how many of the 22 players who featured in the competition can you recall? From goalkeepers Pepe Reina and Diego Cavalieri to forwards Fernando Torres and David Ngog, this list should help you jog your memory!