| |
| |
| |
GABRIEL PALETTA
|
|
| Position:
Defender
|
| Date of Birth:
15/02/1986
|
| Height:
6'1
|
| Weight:
13st 5
|
| 1st team games:
8
|
| 1st team goals:
1
|
| International caps:
0
|
| International goals:
0
|
| Former clubs:
Banfield
|
| Birth Place:
Buenos Aires, Argentina
|
| |
Rafa Benitez snapped up Argentinian prospect Gabriel Paletta in the summer of 2006.
The centre-back is a product of the Banfield youth system, breaking into the first team in 2005.
He helped his country win the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships, playing in all seven games alongside the likes of Lionel Messi.
From here, most presumed Paletta would joined Argentine giants River Plate. Indeed, the club had already reserved the number six shirt for him before Liverpool swooped.
On securing his signature in July 2006, Benitez said: "Paletta is very tough and he's exactly the sort of player we need who will suit the Premiership. When you talk about the Argentinian defenders I worked with in Valencia, Paletta is more like Ayala than Pellegrino. If you're talking about Liverpool, he's more like Carra than Sami Hyypia."
The young defender made his debut on October 25, 2006 in a 4-3 League Cup victory over Reading at Anfield. He capped an impressive display with a second-half goal.
Paletta, who was the second Argentine to play for Liverpool after Mauricio Pellegrino, made eight appearances in his first season on Merseyside.
|
|
