Returning Hero's Welcome

[kerfuffle]

With the impending visit of one Luis Garcia at Anfield in a little over a fortnight, I would expect the reception he gets when he graces the field will be up there with the very best of them.

This in it's self got me thinking, Which player during the past has in your opinion had the best reception when he has come back to Anfield with his new club ?

How do you expect Little luis's reception to be in comparison to your all time best ????

[Pacman]

I think he'll get a great reception.

He was a massive fan favourite and the Luis Garcia song will be getting sung. Didi got a great reception last season and I think it will be similar.

[saj]

Erm, El Hadji Diouf

[Craig_H]

I'm not sure Garcia will be in the team when Atletico come to Anfield. Sub probably and he'll get a good reception when he's warming up.

[memzey]

I'll never forget the reception titi camara got when he came on for west ham at anfield. Got a standing ovation from four sides of the ground that must have lasted three minutes.

[Reece]

Fowler?

[cadmium]

King Kenny as manager of Blackburn

[Kenneth]

Ian Rush?

[Matt]

Barnes, McAllister.

Owen...

[Gaz]

Luis Garcia has told skysports.com that facing Liverpool on Wednesday will be 'very special' to him.

The Spanish forward is now plying his trade at Atletico Madrid and he will get the chance to face his former club and team-mates as they meet Liverpool in Group D of the UEFA Champions League

Garcia spent a highly successful three years at Anfield after arriving from Barcelona in 2004 as one of Rafa Benitez's first signings at the club.

He was a popular figure with the Liverpool fans and his role in their 2005 Champions League victory, which crucially included the wining goal against Chelsea in the semi-final second-leg, is still remembered.

Garcia will face Liverpool for the first time since leaving for Atletico last year and he is relishing a clash against his former club.

"Liverpool have good memories for me, because of this it will be very special for me," he told skysports.com.

"I have waited for this match, in my head it is different and not the same as playing one of our normal rivals."

Garcia admits he is not bitter in any way about being sold by The Reds.

"I am not anger about my exit, a player fulfils a cycle in football and it can always be the moment to change," he said.

"I lived some incredible moments at Liverpool, but now I am totally dedicated to Atletico Madrid.

"Our challenge is to win matches, I am friends with The Reds but they need to suffer in our stadium."


Torres boost

Garcia admits that Fernando Torres's absence due to injury is sorry news, but it is a boost for Atletico.

"The injury of Fernando Torres is bad for everyone, but in a sporting aspect it is good for Atletico. He will recover and will have the chance to play in the return match at Anfield."

He is expecting a tight match and he thinks that whoever opens the scoring will win the contest.

"The match is very equal and open, the two teams know each other and that rules out any surprise," he said.

"I believe the first team to score will get the victory."

Atletico are not in the greatest of form coming into the game having lost their last two league fixtures - but Garcia thinks Sergio Aguero will help unlock Liverpool's defence.

"In La Liga we have suffered two consecutive defeats and that has been hard on us, but now our heads are concentrated on Liverpool because we are developing a good season in the Champions League," he said.

"Aguero will be the key man on Wednesday. He is a unique forward and could do mad things on the pitch.

"He can break a defence and this will be a big problem for The Reds."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4369025,00.html

[magicalbarnes]

A Luis story i thought id share:

One of Garcia's first matches in the Premiership was away at Old Trafford. He was going for the ball only to be pole-axed by Rio Ferdinand he lay on the floor in pain and Rio smugly snarled down to him 'Welcome to the Premiership'. In the return match at Anfield Garcia had the ball and Rio came to challenge him but Garcia nut-megged him and embarassed him and smugly responded 'Welcome to La Liga!!!'

[Gaz]

A Luis story i thought id share:

One of Garcia's first matches in the Premiership was away at Old Trafford. He was going for the ball only to be pole-axed by Rio Ferdinand he lay on the floor in pain and Rio smugly snarled down to him 'Welcome to the Premiership'. In the return match at Anfield Garcia had the ball and Rio came to challenge him but Garcia nut-megged him and embarassed him and smugly responded 'Welcome to La Liga!!!'

[Big Dave]

Luis Garcia has told skysports.com that facing Liverpool on Wednesday will be 'very special' to him.

The Spanish forward is now plying his trade at Atletico Madrid and he will get the chance to face his former club and team-mates as they meet Liverpool in Group D of the UEFA Champions League

Garcia spent a highly successful three years at Anfield after arriving from Barcelona in 2004 as one of Rafa Benitez's first signings at the club.

He was a popular figure with the Liverpool fans and his role in their 2005 Champions League victory, which crucially included the wining goal against Chelsea in the semi-final second-leg, is still remembered.

Garcia will face Liverpool for the first time since leaving for Atletico last year and he is relishing a clash against his former club.

"Liverpool have good memories for me, because of this it will be very special for me," he told skysports.com.

"I have waited for this match, in my head it is different and not the same as playing one of our normal rivals."

Garcia admits he is not bitter in any way about being sold by The Reds.

"I am not anger about my exit, a player fulfils a cycle in football and it can always be the moment to change," he said.

"I lived some incredible moments at Liverpool, but now I am totally dedicated to Atletico Madrid.

"Our challenge is to win matches, I am friends with The Reds but they need to suffer in our stadium."


Torres boost

Garcia admits that Fernando Torres's absence due to injury is sorry news, but it is a boost for Atletico.

"The injury of Fernando Torres is bad for everyone, but in a sporting aspect it is good for Atletico. He will recover and will have the chance to play in the return match at Anfield."

He is expecting a tight match and he thinks that whoever opens the scoring will win the contest.

"The match is very equal and open, the two teams know each other and that rules out any surprise," he said.

"I believe the first team to score will get the victory."

Atletico are not in the greatest of form coming into the game having lost their last two league fixtures - but Garcia thinks Sergio Aguero will help unlock Liverpool's defence.

"In La Liga we have suffered two consecutive defeats and that has been hard on us, but now our heads are concentrated on Liverpool because we are developing a good season in the Champions League," he said.

"Aguero will be the key man on Wednesday. He is a unique forward and could do mad things on the pitch.

"He can break a defence and this will be a big problem for The Reds."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...369025,00.html

Obviously not watched any of our games this season!

[The Erectile Banana]

What about Pongolle?

Is he likely to play for them tonight?

He has started the season very well in La Liga.

[JPK]

A Luis story i thought id share:

One of Garcia's first matches in the Premiership was away at Old Trafford. He was going for the ball only to be pole-axed by Rio Ferdinand he lay on the floor in pain and Rio smugly snarled down to him 'Welcome to the Premiership'. In the return match at Anfield Garcia had the ball and Rio came to challenge him but Garcia nut-megged him and embarassed him and smugly responded 'Welcome to La Liga!!!'

Love it. Garcia deserves a massive reception. He did so much in a short time and scored alot of improtant goals. His song will get a good singing that night.