Profile by: Dave Murray; Written: February 2004
One year after I began supporting the reds a scally wag sense of humour entered the Anfield dressing room and one Anfield’s most exciting home grown players would dazzle the kopites for 8 years that tragically yielded just 2 medals as well as a disrespectful show of appreciation. Steve McManaman may have been a spice boy but the boy could play and until the recent arrival of Harry Kewell (keep it up lad were proud of you) he wasn’t replaced.
Steve made his debut as Greame Souness gave youth its chance in the final game of the 90-91 season against spurs. The following season saw McManaman thrown in the deep end. Liverpool undertook significant reconstruction with a new squad replacing the older legs that showed signs of tiring. Injury also tore the squad apart and another significant development was the 4 foreigner rule in Europe (only 4 players that didn’t come from the clubs home country could be on the pitch at one time). McManaman gave a great account of himself on the opening day and in his first start he helped Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Oldham.
He went on the score his first goal for the club in a 2-1 defeat at Man City in only his third game as Anfield saw a new generation of youngsters thrown in to cover for injured players. Wright, Whelan, Rush and Barnes were just 4 players who would miss most of the first half of the season and McManaman was given a run of games that saw him become a regular. A local born lad, Steve wasn’t a winger in the John Barnes mould but he would try and beat players and be creative in his style of play and the kop appreciated his effort even if he was inexperienced at times. He could play on either wing or up front and had amazing balance for a man over 6ft tall. United may have had the most exciting prospect in years with Giggs but we had Stevie and he proved to be as good and at times better.
The 19 year old played 52 games as Souness attempts to rap him in cotton wool were abandoned such was the injury list, not to mention the effect Stevie had and indeed the fire that can only be had by a local born lad. He completely turned the Bristol rovers match when he switched wings to score a cracking individual goal and then set up the winner for dean Saunders. Those 2 struck up an excellent working relationship. McManaman’s involvement in the FA cup saw him score against Crewe, Bristol rovers and Ipswich. His involvement in the semi final was remarkable until one foul too many saw Stevie leave the pitch in agony. He made his return in the cup final and despite being hacked to pieces Stevie turned the match around by again switching wings and assisted Michael Thomas’ goal. He may have scored one of goals of the season with a superb finish at port vale and also scored against Notts. County amongst others as he reached double figures.
The following season saw a lot of inconsistency as both the player and team struggled for form, more so the club. The rapport with Saunders was over when Deano joined Aston Villa. Injury did gnaw away at times but Stevie turned in several outstanding performances and, along with youngsters like Hutchison, marsh, tanner, and Harkness, he was one of the few things to shout about during a miserable period for L4. Steve scored twice at home to crystal palace and also 2 superb efforts against Sheffield united in the coca cola cup. 93-94 started well as the slim built scouser (joke at time, Jan Molby was decapitated by Carlton Palmer against Sheffield Wednesday and a bloke told me, good job it wasn’t Macca or his leg would have snapped in 2) scored twice at Swindon to put Liverpool top for the first time in 3 years. They turned out to be his only goals of the season.
A loss of form and confidence and a change of manager saw Steve’s season tail off at times. The most memorable part of his season sadly turned out to be the Mersey derby at Goodison when Steve failed to clear a corner sufficiently and mark ward scored for Everton. Bruce Grobelaar lambasted the youngster and even shoved him in his face. Mcmanaman subsequently shoved him back but many feel this wrecked his confidence for the season. His performances though against QPR and Everton at Anfield showed that Stevie could still turn it on.
94-95 shot Steve to super stardom; his tally of 2 the previous season was equalled on the opening day as he scored twice at crystal palace in a 6-1 demolition. In a new free role McManaman revelled and the goals flowed a little better. His displays were more consistent and the kop drooled over his displays, this included his first hat trick against Sheffield Wednesday. A wildly deflected shot sealed a win over man united. I can remember watching the game in Warrington when a bookie came over to me
“yer uncle wants you to name the next scorer like, e gave me a quid for ya”
“egh, McManaman”
“alright lad, 14-1”
15 quid is a lot to a 12 year old. “there ya little bastard”
“awww yer poor fella” I said in sympathy until me uncle Shauna butted in
“don’t feel sorry for that barstad, he’s made 2 grand today”
Later on Steves goal was credited as an own goal. 9 years on that guy has been looking for me. He did see me once, I told him id give it back that night, little did he realize that I’d be at home in Dublin 4 hours later.
Steve’s more significant contribution was a sensational double against Bolton in the coca cola cup final. 2 superb individual goals gave Liverpool a 2-1 win. 2 Wembley appearances and 2 man of the match awards to boot. 95-96 saw him win his first England cap and Stevie also turned in some terrific performances in another superb season. A magnificent double against Leeds in the FA cup was perhaps the highlight. Stevie also bagged 2 at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. The season is however best remembered for the white suit show at the FA cup final. Steve and the team under performed and had maybe reached their peak. Their attitudes were questioned, as to whether performances, Coca Cola Cup medals and England euro 96 call ups had gone to his head, particularly when he was pictured with Paul Gascoigne during the infamous dentist chair episode. 442 magazine predicted Steve would be one the tournaments flops but his performances answered that.
The following season began brightly with Liverpool leading the league and Steve was also given the coveted number 7 shirt. 2 goals against Arsenal and a last minute winner against Southampton kept him in high regard with the Kop. Rumours however said that he was too fond of the high life. A young lad with a truck load of money and unquestionable ability is said to have an inflated ego. Like I said with fowler, McManaman still struggles to shake this off. The spice boy tag was here. A nagging knee injury saw his performances dip slightly and with a Euro 96 hangover at times evident Macca and Liverpool ended the season with nothing. The attitude problem was supposedly going to be eradicated, when Paul Ince arrived but it simply added to it and Steve’s loyalty was questioned when Barcelona were rumoured to have bid £12m for his services. A holiday in Spain fuelled rumours but the move fell through. Steve though did have one of his best seasons.
A 70 yards run and shot produced a memorable goal at Celtic, which ultimately resulted in Liverpool’s passage to the next round. He followed with another spectacular solo effort whilst filling in as captain in a 3-0 win over Villa. It was also Macca’s wonderful effort that defeated Arsenal at Highbury and his brace at Newcastle was simply mind blowing. His 2 goals at spurs rescued a draw and he also downed Barnsley with a last minute winner. I can remember the home leg with Middlesboro in the Coca Cola cup when McManaman was being marked by a young lad called Baker. Baker dragged out of him all night and Stevie eventually took his shirt off, handed it over and said “here, if you want it that bad ya can avv it”. In the summer Macca also travelled with England to the World Cup whilst Kopites sweated over whether he would sign a new contract.
98-99 was littered with injury and Liverpool again went into revolution as Gerard Houllier took sole charge following Roy Evans departure. The hottest free agent in the world signed a pre contract with real Madrid that had kopites seething. McManaman heard the boos hurling towards him when he appeared as sub in a 2-1 defeat at Coventry and his goal was greeted with mixed reaction. Houllier also refused to put up with any spice boy lark but Macca wasn’t gonna give any shit even if he was leaving. He still turned on some good displays and scored in matches with Spurs and Blackburn. His reaction to the winner against Spurs was a tad mystifying. Macca scored the winner in a 3-2 win in which Liverpool were 2-0 down. His reaction was that of a man who had just been to a funeral. However the Kop warmed to him over the years and Macca received a huge farewell when he played his last game at home to Wimbledon. He had also showed Liverpool was still in his heart when he refused to pose in a Real Madrid shirt prior to his contract running out.
His move to Madrid turned into fairytale stuff when Stevie scored in the champions league final and was man of the match when Madrid downed Valencia 3-0 and also played a huge part in a 3-2 win at old Trafford against man united. He also scored in the European championships putting England 2-0 up against Portugal; they lost 3-2. Macca’s Real future was in doubt when they splashed over £37m to bring in superstar Luis Figo. Macca however had the versatility to keep his place and fought tooth and nail to stay on. La Liga medals followed and McManaman with a £60,000 a week wage loved every minute of his time in Spain.
In 2001-2 Madrid spent an insane £46m on Zidane. Still, however, Stevie refused to leave. The life in Spain was lapped up by he and his new wife and despite being told he could leave, Stevie stayed to fight on and he eventually fought his way back in showing indeed that he was no ‘spice boy’ anymore. 2002 again saw the chequebook open when Real purchased Ronaldo. Macca was by no means a regular but certainly didn’t let the team down when called upon, but despite his form England coach Sven Goran Eriksson never called him up.
In a position where England struggle it mystifies everyone why he was never tried. 2003 proved to be the final straw. McManaman was not being considered by Vincent Del Bosque at Madrid or even his replacement Carlos Quieroz. David Beckham’s arrival pushed him further down the order and after 4 gold laden years in Madrid Macca returned to England with Kevin Keegan and Man City. He re-united with old chum Robbie fowler but has made little impact. Rumours are already surfacing about a bust up with Keegan. Macca denies this and is also thoughtful in his words for Gerard Houllier despite the short time together.
He may not be in his best form but at 31he aint finished yet. Form is temporary and class is permanent and there isn’t many people with 2 European cup medals like him around. He may not have served ‘Red 7’ like Keegan or Dalglish but he most definitely proved it wasn’t a task that was too much for him. Steve should be remembered in high regard, spice boy or not, for the 8 exciting years service we witnessed.
When he returns to Anfield with city or indeed anyone, give the man his due respect. I don’t think its fair to say he walked out and he never say anything bad about the club. Hes a red at heart and don’t forget the excitement he brought to us. Another ironic thing is no English player has had the same success abroad as him with all the medals from Spain etc, yet he has never cost any of his 3 clubs a penny in transfers.
By the way speaking of respect, has anyone got Eriksson’s number? I got a proposition for him…
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