Profile

Right-back Philipp Degen is currently on loan at German outfit VfB Stuttgart until the end of the 2010-11 season.

The Swiss international signed for Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2008.

He began his career with FC Basel in 1996, making his debut five years later.

Four seasons in the first team followed, during which he claimed three league titles and one domestic cup.

His time at St Jakob Park also gave him a taste of Champions League football. In fact, Degen was an unused sub when Basel claimed a 1-1 draw at Anfield in 2002-03.

In 2005 the defender joined the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

Degen, who featured four times for his country in the 2006 World Cup, spent three years with the German giants, the last of which was blighted by injury.

The full-back managed to recover in time for Euro 2008, a tournament co-hosted by Switzerland. Unfortunately, he did not feature as the Swiss failed to negotiate the group stages.

From there he arrived at Melwood to work with Rafael Benitez. Sadly, injuries restricted Degen to just two appearances in 2008-09, including a debut against Crewe in the League Cup on September 23, 2008.

It wasn't until September 2009 that he got a taste of Premier League football, coming on as a sub at home to Burnley. Degen got his first league start a month later at Craven Cottage. However, on a gloomy afternoon for Liverpool, the full-back was sent off after 79 minutes of a 3-1 defeat.

Degen, who is fluent in French and German, has a twin, David, who also plays professional football.