Player Profile: Luis Garcia

Luis Javier García Sanz (born June 24, 1978 in Badalona, Catalonia, Spain), commonly known as Luis García, is a Spanish football player. He currently plays for Liverpool F.C. and wears the number 10 jersey. His favourite form of celebration is sucking his thumb. This is dedicated to his first-born son, Joel

Luis García played for FC CD Tenerife, Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid, in La Liga. Normally, Luis García is employed in the "hole" position behind the striker and in front of the midfielders. He quickly earned a reputation in England as a player of remarkable skills, but this talent was qualified by his tendency to lose the ball in dangerous positions. His ability to kick confidently with both feet makes him an extremely versatile attacker, deployable on both flanks, as well as behind strikers. Despite his small frame, he has also shown a great ability to head the ball, with some of his most impressive goals coming in the air.

Luis García was signed by Rafael Benítez for Liverpool in August 2004 for a fee of £6 million (Benítez coached him when they were at Tenerife together). He was bought essentially as a cut-price replacement for El Hadji Diouf, in the attacking midfield role. He has proved much more than a stand-in, and has become a key component of Liverpool's attacking unit. He made his Premiership debut against Bolton Wanderers on 29 August 2004.

He was also a key player in Liverpool's successful 2005 Champions League campaign, netting the winning goals against Juventus (an unstoppable left footed shot which curled over Gianluigi Buffon, one of the best goals in the competition) and Chelsea (a controversial goal in the fourth minute), in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. He took part in the Champions league final victory over A.C. Milan on 25 May 2005, finishing with an excellent 13 goals in all competitions in his first season in English football.

García did not make so much of an impact in the 2005-06 season, although he has weighed in with some vital goals, not least the impressive, lofted finish against Chelsea to put them out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals.

Garcia ranked 24th in the 100 Players Who Shook The Kop online poll, with Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler the only current squad players ranked higher.

Replacing Anfield star Michael Owen as Liverpool 'number 10' was always going to be tough for a new signing, and despite an inconsistent first season, García firmly became a fan favourite. While many consider him as a frustrating player for losing the ball often, they recognised his ability as a match-winner. His positive relationship with the fans is further underlined by the song frequently sung in his honour, to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine".

"Luis García, He drinks Sangria, He came from Barça, To bring us joy, He's five foot seven, He's football heaven, So please don't take our Luis away"

He is Liverpools heighest ever goal scorer in the champions league (current format) .

Personal information
Full name	Luis Javier García Sanz
Date of birth	June 24, 1978 (age 28)
Place of birth	Badalona, Catalonia, Spain
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.73 m)
Nickname	King Luis
Position	Forward, right winger
Club information
Current club	Liverpool
Number	10
Professional clubs
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
1997–1999 1999–2002 1999–2000 2000–2001 2002–2003 2003–2004 2004–present	FC Barcelona B Real Valladolid CD Toledo Loan CD Tenerife Loan Atlético Madrid [1] FC Barcelona Liverpool	72 (25) 31 (7) 17 (4) 40 (16) 30 (9) 25 (4) 68 (16)
National team
2005–present	Spain	18 (4)