| Christian Ziege - Defender | |
| Date of Birth: | 01/02/72 |
| Squad number: | 3 |
| Height: | 6'1" (1.86m) |
| 1st team games: | 4 |
| 1st team goals: | 0 |
| International caps: | 52 (Germany) |
| International goals: | 8 |
| Characteristics: | German international, experienced, inventive and versatile left-sided defender |
| Former clubs: | Middlesbrough, A.C.Milan, Bayern Munich |
| Birth Place: | Berlin |
Zehlendorf transformed into an outfield player and he made such a positive impression in his early years that he was eventually lured down south to join the mighty Bayern Munich while still only 18.
Christian represented Germany at every level as a youth and was even captain to the U-21 team. Initially hailed as the "new Andy Brehme", he made his senior debut for Germany against Brazil in the 1993 US Cup but, sadly, he was to miss the return trip to America for the World Cup a year later through injury.
Christian did, however, play a starring role for the triumphant Germany side at Euro '96, playing every minute of every game and scoring the team's first goal in their opening game against the Czech Republic. 1996 was also a good year for him at Bayern as he helped the club to victory in the UEFA Cup.
After winning his second Bundesliga title with Bayern in 1996/97, Christian decided to move to Italy and join AC Milan. It did not, however, turn out to be the dream move he had hoped for. Christian made little headway in the star-studded side, and although he appeared for Germany at the 1998 World Cup in France, it was not in the leading role he had become accustomed to.
Christian's second season at Milan resulted in an Italian championship triumph, but his contribution was only minimal and he was delighted to be given the opportunity to move to England when Middlesbrough splashed out ?m on him. He revived his career on Teesside and duly returned to the national side, scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Northern Ireland in his second game back and going on to win his 50th cap in Germany's final warm-up match before Euro 2000, where he played the first two games against Romania and England.
It was a long time in coming, but Christian Ziege is finally a Liverpool player after the protracted transfer finally ended when the German international signed on the dotted line at Anfield in a ?.5m deal.
Christian is certain to add craft and ingenuity to the left-hand side of Liverpool's defence as well as posing a goal threat at free-kicks. Such is his versatility that he can play anywhere on that side of the field, although the role he has filled for most of his career has been left wing-back.
Born in Berlin, Christian actually started out his career as a goalkeeper but spells with local clubs Sudstern 08, TSV Rudow and Hertha