Rigobert Song (Defender)
Date of birth: 01/07/76
Squad number: 4
Height: 6'0" (1.85m)
Weight: 12st 7lb (80kg)
Characteristics: Fast , strong and determined to the point of occasional recklessness.
Former clubs: Tonnerre Yaounde, Metz,
Salernitana
Birth Place: Nkenlicock
After months of searching for the man to shore up Liverpool's defence,
manager Gérard Houllier finally engineered a transfer market move for Cameroon star Rigobert Song.
Song had spent the previous year in Italy with Salernitana, but a falling
out with the coach ensured he never got a proper chance to prove himself and he was anxiously searching a fresh challenge with a new
club.
Having been frozen out at Salernitana, Houllier jumped at the chance of
bringing him to Anfield after he impressed during a trial spell. Having appeared in two consecutive World Cups, and having earned the
unfortunate distinction of being sent off in both - Song certainly already possessed great experience and his pace, strength and determination
immediately ensured he struck up a good relationship with the Anfield fans.
He made his first team debut during the 1998/99 season against
Coventry City at Highfield Road and went on to make nine more starts
for Gérard Houllier as the season went on. Subsequently operating more as a right sided defender than a centre back Song, who is the first
Cameroon international ever to play for Liverpool, seemed to ensure his regular involvement
with the first team squad during the 1999/2000 season due to his great versatility. Some terrifically determined
performances at the start of the season saw him hold off a stiff challenge from Vegard Heggem for the right back slot.
On 13th February 2000 'Rigo' captained Cameroon to victory in the African Nations Cup Final - scoring the decisive spot kick after the final
against Nigeria finished 2-2 and went to penalties.