| Stephane Henchoz - Defender | |
| Date of Birth: | 07/09/74 |
| Squad number: | 2 |
| Height: | 6'2" (1.90m) |
| 1st team games: | 40 |
| 1st team goals: | 0 |
| International caps: | 41 (Switzerland) |
| International goals: | 0 |
| Characteristics: | A strong centre half who is omfortable on the ball. |
| Former clubs: | Stade Payerne, Bulle, Xamax Neuchatel, SV Hamburg, Blackburn Rovers |
| Birth Place: | Billens, Switzerland |
| Website: | Stephane Henchoz's Official Home Page |
international to Anfield for a bargain ?.5 million, beating off competition from other interested European clubs. Unfortunately the Liverpool supporters had to wait to witness the appearance of Henchoz in a red shirt. A groin injury delayed his debut - he had to sit out the whole pre-season programme - and he became the last of the club's seven summer signings to make his debut in the 4-2 win over Hull City in the Worthington Cup in September 1999. Henchoz's international career is impressive too, playing in the 1994 World Cup in the USA and Euro 96 in England.
The central defensive pairing of Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypiä spearheaded Liverpool's return to Europe while his impressive displays helped the club to the best defensive record in the Premiership last season. Henchoz began his career in his native Switzerland where he represented Stade Payerne and Bulle, before English born coach Roy Hodgson took him to Neuchetel Xamax where his career took off.
After a spell in Germany with SV Hamburg, he teamed up with Hodgson again at Blackburn Rovers. Although voted the club's player of the season in the 1998-99 season he could do little to avoid Blackburn being relegated from the Premiership.
Cue Gérard Houllier, who moved swiftly to bring the cultured Swiss