A finally understood genius: Luis Garcia

The author of a stunning goal for Liverpool against Juventus only became an international star at 26

Ozren Podnar reports...

Was Luis García the most misunderstood genius in modern soccer, or did he just not try hard enough in the early part of his career? We may never find out. However, we would like him to repeat the stunt he performed on that night at Anfield - the sensational swerving lob from 25 yards that beat Gianluigi Buffon and eventually put Liverpool through to the semis on aggregate.

It was only in late February that Luis García started hitting headlines, having scored in the first leg of the Champions League fixture against Bayern, and then leading the Reds to 3-1 win in Leverkusen, the first Liverpool win on German soil in 33 years. Between those two European games he appeared in the dramatic League Cup finals against Chelsea, which his team controversially lost 3-2.

His excellent performances for the Anfield club finally convinced Spain coach Luis Aragones to give him an international debut in a friendly against China in March.

Luis García is a multi-faceted player who can operate with equal ease as an offensive midfielder, left midfielder or a supporting striker. His main weapon is his stunning ball control at high speed, allowing him to scatter defenders left and right from hi ever unpredictable path.

Five seasons on loan

When he was promoted to Barcelona's second team in 1997, the reliance on home-grown players was not exactly the Catalan club's policy. At 21, not having received a single chance in the first team, he was sent to Valladolid on loan, but collected just six appearances in as many months.

He did much better in the following season at Toledo in Second Division, but it was at Tenerife where he became a first team regular and a scorer of solid 16 goals in the 2000/01 season.

At long last recognized as a player worthy of Primera División, he was sent back to Valladolid where he played his first full season in the top flight aged 23.

García continued his snail-like ascent to fame in 2002, joining Atlético Madrid, which had just returned from the Second Division.

His colossal displays at Vicente Calderón convinced Barcelona that they might just give their boy a chance, bringing him back to Nou Camp after record five years on loan to four different clubs.

Having recovered from an injury early on in the 2003/04 season, he forced his way into Frank Rijkaard's team and went on to collect 25 caps in the League plus seven in the UEFA Cup.

The amount of praise directed at García did not help him stay at home, as Barca was only too happy to offload him to Liverpool when the offer weighing in at 9 million euros came last summer.

The farewell-words of soccer director Txiki Begiristain sounded a bit ridiculous: "I am happy for him, because he signed for a big club", said the former Barca star, prompting some to query whether Begiristain thought García had not been at a big club until then.

It is no secret that García was brought to England by former Valencia-guru Rafael Benítez, who had coached Tenerife while the youngster was there on loan. There the coach and the player established a link which survived four years of separation.

Benítez, my saviour

"My excellent rapport with Benítez was the chief reason I accepted Liverpool's offer" - confessed the Badalona-born flyer. "He understands my game and inspires me with confidence more than any other coach did. I could follow him with my eyes closed. At Barcelona I could not be sure I would play much, considering the new signings. Maybe Barca did not suppose (Ludovic) Giuly would fall injured so early in the season. Now it has turned out both of us would have ample chances to play during the current season."

Although he had a valid goal disallowed on his debut against Bolton, García fit in quickly, and his shirt with the prestigious number 10 soon became a bestseller. The affection between Liverpool and the newcomer was mutual.

"I had heard a lot about Anfield, but before I had run out on the pitch I did not completely understand what a fantastic stadium it was."

What he likes about the Premiership is the non-stop action. "The play never dies down, the passion is always high and the fans are involved all the time."

What he likes somewhat less is the overly physical play and the referees' tolerance of rough tackles.

"In England there's a lot of physical contact between players but the refs sometimes do not give a foul even for the most horrific tackles. The ball play often seems unimportant compared to clashes and aerial duels. The English players and those that have been here for a long time are very strong and even though I'm pretty well built myself it took me a while to adapt to the style of play."

Fact file

Name: Luis Javier Garcia Sanz
Nickname: Lou
Birthdate: June 24, 1978
Birthplace: Badalona (SPA)
Height and weight: 178 cm, 70 kg
Position: offensive midfielder
Club career (appearances -- goals)
1997-99 Barcelona-B
1999/00 Valladolid 6 - 0, Toledo 17 - 4
2000/01 Tenerife 40 - 16
2001/02 Valladolid 25 - 7
2002/03 Atletico Madrid 30 - 9
2003/04 Barcelona 25 - 4
2004/05 Liverpool 24 - 6

National Team
2005 - Spain 1 - 0

Honours
Spanish League runner-up 2004
English League Cup runner-up 2005
Champions League semifinalist 2005

Ozren Podnar

World Soccer
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