‘I had problems with the manager’ – Former Liverpool Midfielder Opens Up About His Time At Anfield

Christian Ziege, one of the few Germans to have played in the Premier League, has now claimed that moving to Liverpool was a big mistake.

The German had spent the 2000-01 season at Anfield after making a move from Middlesbrough and speaking to Four Four Two magazine (h/t Daily Star

“Obviously it was to go and sign for Liverpool, a massive club with a massive stadium and history.”

The former Bayern Munich and German international also added that there were issues with then manager Gerard Houllier.

“But unfortunately I had some problems there, problems with the manager (Gerard Houllier) and I still don’t know what his problem was with me.

“He never talked to me.

“I realised it was a bad move because I really enjoyed my time playing for Boro.”

Ziege did win a lot of silverware with Liverpool as this was the season where the club ended up with a treble.

“Liverpool were in the UEFA Cup, which we ended up winning that year. We won the FA Cup and League Cup and qualified for the Champions League, so it was a great season.

“However, it was the wrong decision football-wise. I didn’t play enough.”

Ziege did make 32 appearances for the Merseyside club but a lack of playing time under the French manager saw him being sold out to Tottenham after just one season.

The German spent three years at Tottenham before ending his playing career at Borussia Monchengladbach. Ziege did take up a coaching role with the German club before even taking up various roles at the German U19 team.

Ziege won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich before moving to Liverpool and he would have hoped for a better time at the Merseyside club than the limited games he got under Houllier.