Sammy Lee
Not seen a thread about him lately but just seen this bit from Tony Barrett. I think he's been a massive influence in how we've fared this year. As Barrett says, I think he was our most important signing. 
TONY BARRETT: Sammy Lee has been Liverpool's best summer signing of all
Dec 27 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
WHO was Rafa Benitez's best signing during the summer?
Even Andrea Dossena's mum would be hard pressed for making a convincing case for it being the Italian left back who has endured a torrid time since arriving on Merseyside.
Robbie Keane was the most expensive but has struggled to live up to his £20m price tag and will have to add dramatically to his goal tally if speculation on his future is to go away.
Swiss defender Philipp Degen has barely been seen because of injuries, which his critics believe isn't a bad thing given his performances when available.
Diego Cavalieri was brought in as back up to Pepe Reina and has only appeared in three cup games up to now so can't really be judged.
Of all the signings on the playing front, Albert Riera has undoubtedly made the biggest impact as the Spanish winger has given Liverpool the width they so badly needed and proven himself to be a far better player than the one English football fans remembered from his loan spell at Man City in 2006.
On the whole, it wasn't Liverpool's most productive summer in the transfer market but there is one signing which stands out above all others.
When Benitez was on the lookout for an assistant manager Sammy Lee seemed like the obvious choice for the job.
Proven top class coaches with Premier League management experience and the universal respect of his peers don't come on the market too often, especially not ones who are steeped in the tradition of Liverpool Football Club.
Having been discarded by Bolton Lee was on the market at a time when the club he supported as a boy was on the lookout for a new addition to its backroom team.
The timing could not have been better for both parties and Lee was able to slot in seamlessly, even taking in a couple of days training at the end of last season.
As several of the players have since admitted it was as if Lee had never been away as he set up training drills for the squad to take part in and equally importantly added a Scouse accent to the mix of Benitez's staff and a knowledge of what makes Liverpool tick which was gained during his previous spells at the club as both coach and player.
TONY BARRETT: Sammy Lee has been Liverpool's best summer signing of all
Dec 27 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
WHO was Rafa Benitez's best signing during the summer?
Even Andrea Dossena's mum would be hard pressed for making a convincing case for it being the Italian left back who has endured a torrid time since arriving on Merseyside.
Robbie Keane was the most expensive but has struggled to live up to his £20m price tag and will have to add dramatically to his goal tally if speculation on his future is to go away.
Swiss defender Philipp Degen has barely been seen because of injuries, which his critics believe isn't a bad thing given his performances when available.
Diego Cavalieri was brought in as back up to Pepe Reina and has only appeared in three cup games up to now so can't really be judged.
Of all the signings on the playing front, Albert Riera has undoubtedly made the biggest impact as the Spanish winger has given Liverpool the width they so badly needed and proven himself to be a far better player than the one English football fans remembered from his loan spell at Man City in 2006.
On the whole, it wasn't Liverpool's most productive summer in the transfer market but there is one signing which stands out above all others.
When Benitez was on the lookout for an assistant manager Sammy Lee seemed like the obvious choice for the job.
Proven top class coaches with Premier League management experience and the universal respect of his peers don't come on the market too often, especially not ones who are steeped in the tradition of Liverpool Football Club.
Having been discarded by Bolton Lee was on the market at a time when the club he supported as a boy was on the lookout for a new addition to its backroom team.
The timing could not have been better for both parties and Lee was able to slot in seamlessly, even taking in a couple of days training at the end of last season.
As several of the players have since admitted it was as if Lee had never been away as he set up training drills for the squad to take part in and equally importantly added a Scouse accent to the mix of Benitez's staff and a knowledge of what makes Liverpool tick which was gained during his previous spells at the club as both coach and player.
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