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Daniel Agger: Liverpool Legend

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Tribute to retiring Danish centre-back

When I read the news today that Daniel Agger would be retiring from football, I was taken aback slightly. It was a surprise, and the only person I was with at the time was my mum.

I told her the news, and with her being an Everton fan, she just said, ‘oh get over it, he hasn’t died’. I laughed, but inside I was a little bit sad. Agger was a player who’d done incredible things in a Liverpool shirt, he never put a foot wrong really.

He signed in 2006 by Rafa from Brondby for ÂŁ6million, and then began an 8-year spell with us that, despite him suffering a fair share of injuries, turned him into a fantastic player.

He pulled on that Liverpool shirt 232 times during his time at the club, a substantial amount of appearences and something only a handful of players will ever get to achieve.

Brondby – 2004-2006

His first stint at Brondby began when he was just 12 years old. At 19 years old, he got into the first team and made his debut. He got his big break earlagger brondby 2004ier than expected because Brøndby’s experienced centre-half, Andreas Jakobsson, was sold to Southampton. From there was voted ‘most promising player of the season’ for 3 seasons running. Agger went from strength to strength and earned his big move to Liverpool after only 49 first-team games for Brøndby.

Liverpool – 2006-2014

He caught the eye of Rafael Benitez in January 2006, and the young Danish defender couldn’t turn down the chance to join the European Champions at the time, following their success in Istanbul the season before. The signing was completed for ÂŁ5.8million. Rafa was so confident about his abilities that he declared: “He will be a Liverpool centre back for the next ten years.”, and it was one of the few things Rafa said that was absolutely spot on. Some might say it became a ‘fact’. Agger scored the best goal of Liverpool’s 2006/07 season with a fantastic shot outside the penalty area against West Ham in front of the Kop in only his second League game.

After a solid first 18 months or so at Liverpool, Agger unfortunately injured a metatarsal in 2007, ruining his 2007/08 se
ason. He was fit again for the start of the 2008/09 season, but Martin Skrtel’s good performances at the time kept him on the bench until Daniel AggerSkrtel injured his knee. However, the injuries never seemed to stop. He was an exceptional defender, but the fact remains that he was only fit for 50% of his time at Anfield, and that stopped him from going on to be one of the best defenders to play the game, he had the potential.

What has made Liverpool fans fall in love with Agger is his loyalty. During his time at Anfield, he denied offers from Manchester City, AC Milan and Barcelona, who were all chasing his signature. He spoke out about the interest, saying “It’s unacceptable to play for one of Liverpool’s arch rivals. It’s about having respect for the club that you play at. I’m proud to be able to put on the Liverpool jersey and will never go to another club in England.” And he didn’t, the ‘agger c1cYNWA’ tattoos on his hand says it all, Agger is a true, honest, loyal, passionate Red.

Brondby – 2014/2016

After Liverpool missed out on the title at the end of the 2013/14 season, Agger decided it was time to move back home to his boyhood club Bro
ndby, and did so at the end of the 2014 summer transfer window.  “The opportunity arose for me to return home to Brøndby’ and at this stage of my career it felt like the right decision for me,” Agger told the official Liverpool site. “I wouldn’t leave here to go anywhere else and that has been proven by my actions in recent seasons – I have turned down many offers to move to other Premier League and European clubs.”

He has remained injury troubled however, for club and country, and captained his national side as they failed to qualify for Euro 2016, losing a playoff to Sweden.

In June 2016 Agger announced his retirement from football at only 31 years of age after an injury-hit second part of his career with Liverpool and then Brøndby. Agger held a news conference in his homeland to explain the decision: “I’m pulling the plug now. It’s been difficult, I’ve had my doubts up until the end. But every time I’ve thought it through I’ve reached the same conclusion, and that is to stop.” He wrote on Twitter: “Thank you for your support. A great experience. It’s sad, but it is the right decision to stop. I’m proud of my career.”

agger brondby 2015

And that’s Daniel Agger, he was loyal, passionate, hard as nails, and one of the best defenders to play for Liverpool in the current era. Football misses loyalty like he has these days. I wish him all the best with his retirement and whatever he chooses to do next.

You’ll Never Walk Alone, Daniel.

 

By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10

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