Profile

Defender Gabriel Paletta became the second Argentinean to sign for Liverpool after Mauricio Pellegrino in the summer of 2006.

The centre-back was 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 there, most presumed Paletta would join Argentine giants River Plate. Indeed, the club had already reserved the number six shirt for him before Liverpool swooped.

His no-nonsense approach to the game led to comparisons with club legend Jamie Carragher during the early days of his Anfield career. Unfortunately, such talk proved premature.

Paletta played just eight games during his single season on Merseyside after making his debut in the League Cup against Reading.

Still, he did join an exclusive group of players who scored on their Reds debut (Stan Collymore, Nigel Clough – meet Gabriel Paletta).

The defender left Liverpool for Boca Juniors in August 2007.

Other clubs:
Club Atletico Banfield, Boca Juniors