MACCA SAYS

4/4/2000 - 365 Q&A: Steve McManaman

Both Manchester United and Real Madrid have massive reputations. What do you make of your opponents?

Their ability and achievements over the past ten years speak for themselves. I’m fortunate in that I’ve seen this side up close, I know what they are capable of. For my team-mates, it’s different and I don’t think that is a bad thing. None of the other players have come up against United and I suppose that does eliminate the fear factor to a degree. When you consider what United achieved last season and the way they are playing at the moment, it could be unsettling. But given our own patchy form, I think this game gives us the ideal opportunity to make our season count.

Do you fear the opposition?

Fear is not a word I would choose to use. I think there is tremendous respect here for what Manchester United have achieved, especially last season. But that is a great incentive for us. I’m sure the Spanish public have mixed views about the game and some people are already writing us off, given the contrasting fortunes of both clubs this season, but United will not come here expecting to roll us over. They know that Spain, like Italy, is a difficult place to come and grab a result, while we will be looking for a result to give us an edge in the return leg.

Is it an advantage or disadvantage to play the first leg in Spain?

Ideally, you would want to play the first leg away from home. You’re aware of what you have to do to qualify, but if the away team scores a goal and the match was evenly balanced, it can put an awful lot of pressure on the home side to score more than once to avoid going out on away goals. 

Are you confident of winning?

We’re very much up for the game. There will be a tremendous amount of pressure on us to win but you learn to deal with and live with that pressure out here. The expectations of the fans are something I have not experienced in my career before. Having said that, I knew when I came to Real Madrid that success was more important than anything else. It’s expected here and you just have to learn to deal with it.

What are your chances of going the whole way and winning the European Cup?

Well, this is the ultimate test for us. If we can knock United out of the tournament it will give our confidence a massive lift. The games are huge from now on in - this is where it gets really serious. You look at some of the sides that are left, teams like Barcelona, Lazio and Bayern Munich, and you know you are facing quality opposition. But why shouldn’t we go all the way? It’s down to us at the end of the day.

9/10/1999 - Player view: Steve McManaman by "The Daily Telegraph"

I will be cheering on Sweden against the Poles at home today while watching the game on television with my old Liverpool team-mate David James, who is visiting with his family. I guess the atmosphere for England's friendly against Belgium tomorrow will be determined by that final European qualifier in Stockholm. I am not part of the England squad after tearing a thigh muscle in Real Madrid's game against Porto in the Champions' League last week. It's the first time I've had a problem with my leg muscles. In fact, it's the first time I knew I had leg muscles - I thought I just had skin and bone. It's a mysterious injury because it happened an hour into the game, so I was well and truly warmed up. I was sprinting down the line and had to pull up sharply. When I had it scanned, the specialists said it was a small tear and would take three weeks to heal. I knew that two weeks from that game we had the big domestic fixture against Barcelona; so now I have only four days to try to get myself fit for that awesome occasion at the Nou Camp. The medical back-up is similar to what I'm familiar with at Liverpool - same machines, different techniques, but sadly no new scientific wonder methods to achieve sudden fitness. I'm hopeful I'll play against Barcelona, but if I'm honest I have to say I'm doubtful. It's disappointing not to be part of the England camp at this cliff-hanging time. I want to be involved as much as I can. The last two European Championship qualifiers against Luxembourg and Poland were strange in that we won one - and I was personally thrilled to break my international duck with two goals against Luxembourg at Wembley - and drew the other, in Poland, but were still considered losers for not achieving the necessary win out there. Whatever happens, we have to be positive. We took four points out of six from our two games against Poland and they took only one out of six from us. Considering that, we should be the second-best team in the group. The lads are frustrated to have dropped points at Wembley throughout the qualifying competition. If we win all our home games and then pick up points away from home, which we inevitably would have done, we would have got through fairly easily. The disappointment lies not in certain individuals' performances, but in the fact that we should have been very strong at home throughout the campaign. As for my personal performances, the problem is not that people expect me to fill the creative midfield role, but that I have to produce that form week in, week out. Here in Spain I'm in a high-profile, high-pressure position to do the same, and that's what you want as a player. The goal you set yourself is to play well every time you step on the pitch. I've played much better than I did against Poland and lost the game. My personal pride is for England to do well. Admittedly a draw wasn't the perfect result, but we weren't beaten. There's not much you can say. I'd love to play well and score a hat-trick in every game, but the opposition have a certain amount to do with that aim and they made it extremely difficult for us.

23/9/199 The 365 Q&A: Steve McManaman by "Football 365"

John Toshack didn't sign you, he inherited you from Guus Hiddink, and he left you on the bench at the start of the season. Did that worry you?
"No, that wasn't a big problem. We've got a big squad and I knew that he'd rotate us. I had a good chat with the gaffer right at the start so there was no uncertainty. It's great having another former Liverpool player as my boss. We always look out for their results and, when I don't understand something in training, he always tells me in English. So that's a help."

You seem to get an awful lot of space against Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday...
"Yeah, I did. It was probably because both us and Deportivo are attacking sides and they were happy to defend deep and hit us on the break. I played down the right most of the time before switching to the left but that was nothing to do with me. The gaffer needed to get Guti, Anelka and Balic on to change our play (Real were trailing until late in the game - Ed) so I swapped with Savio. We scored within minutes, so something must have worked!"

You've scored twice in four league games, and nearly made it three goals on Saturday...
"Yeah, that was annoying. I was in two minds whether to bend it or not so I whacked it and it flew wide. I'm being encouraged to get forward all the time. I hit a post last week against Olympiakos, so I'm confident enough."

That's a considerably better return than Nicolas Anelka's. Has he got problems here?
"No, I don't think so. He seems fine. He's quiet but there's quite a few French players here so he's not isolated at all."

Against Deportivo, Tosh preferred Fernando Morientes to Anelka for most of the game but Morientes got little change out of La Coruna's defence. Wasn't the game crying out for Anelka's pace?
"Maybe, but that's up to the gaffer. There's so much talent in this side that we can play any kind of game he decides."

You seem to have settled in well, off the pitch as well as on it...
"The life here is very good. It's got everything I could ask for. I live in a nice house, not too far from the club and I'm learning to live with the Spanish way of life, things like the different meal times they have here compared to at home. The start of the season has been dominated by football, though. My day is planned around that so I haven't had too much free time."

What's been the main difference football-wise?
"There isn't really much difference between playing here and for Liverpool. All the top teams are technically very good and the problem is getting the team to blend well. It's fantastic playing for Real Madrid. Every game is a big game when you play for a great club like Real or Liverpool."

You seem to be playing with so much confidence and exuberance for your club, so what went wrong for England in Poland?
"Nothing really. Everyone expected too much. They really are a good side. The problem was not getting enough points earlier in the competition. The Wembley draws cost us. People forget that the four points we got against Poland is good going."

Have you kept in touch with your mates from Liverpool?
"Yeah. It was good to meet up with all the lads at the Poland game and catch up with their news. It was the first time I'd seen Robbie since his daughter was born. Liverpool have had an indifferent start but Gerard will need two years to get the side he wants. It always takes time, but I hope they do well." 

You must have felt at home when they played 'You'll Never Walk Alone' for you before the kick-off on Saturday...
"They play it before every game! And did you hear them singing 'Three Lions'. They seem to like that!"

There were only 10,000 in the Bernabeu to see the game against Molde in the Champions League on Tuesday, the same night 24,000 were at Anfield to see Liverpool play third division Hull in a Worthington Cup tie that was already well over. The crowd were amazingly lacklustre for Deportivo on Saturday, too...
"That's the way it is here, apparently. There are more families and women at the games here. You don't get the gangs of lads so much. It's a different culture, although there is always some singing from a group down one of the wings."

18/9/1999 - Player view: Steve McManaman by "The Daily Telegraph"

It has been a strange experience joining a new club. I started at Liverpool when I was 16 so I grew up with Anfield procedures. It was my home town anyway. Arriving in Madrid I was apprehensive - I didn't know the language and there are that many different nationalities in the dressing room, all famous players who've won numerous trophies. It was a bit overwhelming sitting there on my first day. A couple of English-speaking people were willing to help, however, and the dressing-room atmosphere was reassuringly familiar. Every club have players who prepare quietly for games, others who take their time and then rush in the last half an hour to get ready. Real Madrid have the same mix of characters as Liverpool, or England, in that respect. The captain, Fernando Hierro, is the spokesman, nothing gets done without his say-so. He's been around so long he's held in awe by everyone. Likewise Manuel Sanchis: people always ask his opinion. And there are a few comedians, like Ivan Helguera - at least he's funny as far as I can tell through the language. There are plenty of laughs anyway. My Spanish is not bad. It started to click more once I was over here, surrounded by the language all the time. If I'm home of an evening I try to have a lesson because communication is the major sticking point. Everything is going well but the sooner I get that under my belt the better. Training with John Toshack is in Spanish, as I expected. Everything at Liverpool with Gerard Houllier was in English. If the manager has a specific problem with me and I can't understand him then he'll tell me in English but a lot of the footballing terms used on the field I understand anyway. Thankfully I joined at the beginning of the season. I finished at Liverpool about a month before the start of the Spanish season and had time to sort out my family troubles after my mother passed away. I came out to Spain early to find somewhere to stay because I didn't want to live in a hotel. After a couple of days house-hunting I found a place to rent in a nice area just outside the city where five other players live. I set all the paperwork in motion, went back home and by the time I came back out three days before I was due to start everything was done so I could move straight in. It was relatively bare but I had a base. It's a nice big house with six bedrooms to encourage family and friends to come out and watch games whenever they like. It has a swimming pool, which is nice for visitors, although I haven't used it because I'm not a swimmer. My girlfriend, Victoria, passed all her barrister exams so she's going to start work at a university here teaching English law. Three or four weeks of pre-season helped me acclimatise. The day I started work, July 22, we went away on a pre-season tour. I was with the players straightaway so that whatever problems there were, football-wise and trying to get on with the players, all happened during pre-season. As much as you want to do fantastically well all the time, there wasn't a care because the games didn't really mean anything. I concentrated on settling in. I didn't start the first game of the season against Real Mallorca but I came on and made an immediate impression. Since then, when I've played I've scored - in a friendly at AC Milan, in the Numancia game and then last week in Bilbao. I didn't score in our Champions' League game against Olympiakos this week but I hit a post and the goalkeeper made a good save from another. As long as I keep going like this I'll be very pleased. I'm happy playing on the right side of midfield. Last season they didn't have a regular player in that role. Clarence Seedorf played there but always said he preferred being in the centre. Starting off by scoring goals relieves the pressure. Admittedly I'm not going to score all the time, but if you're obviously trying then the fans appreciate that. People say the English game is faster, but I don't think there's a huge difference in standard or style at the top level in whatever league or country. We played Spanish teams at Liverpool last season and I didn't notice a different pace. Our 3-3 draw against Olympiakos was just how European nights should be. There was a very hostile atmosphere, a loud and vociferous crowd who threw bottles on to the pitch and all that. The stadium had a running track around the perimeter, but the missiles could still reach the pitch when we were taking corners so a couple of times the game had to be held up. If you needed reminding, it makes you really realise what's at stake.

4/9/1999 The 365 Q&A: Steve McManaman by "Football 365"

The Gaffer was saying you look very focused in training, do you feel like that?
"Yeah. I think everyone is focused because they know the importance of the next two games. I think that goes without saying really."

He was talking about you personally?
"Yeah, I feel very good. I'm focused and, you know, looking forward to the up and coming games."

He was also saying it was probably too early after a game and bit for it to have made too much difference. Any early impressions or early changes or early things you think you're learning?
"Not particularly. As I said, we're fairly early on in the season. You know, the football has really taken care of itself, I think. As you know over there when the football is going well everything else seems to go well. At this moment everything is positive."

He talked of seeing a different Steve McManaman in training?
"Did he? More of a suntan I think it was."

About his move to Real Madrid

'I do need to get a lot better at the lingo - I accept that and it will come. But first and foremost, I've got to concentrate on football. There are huge expectations here but that goes with the club. People think they had a disappointing season last year when they finished second. There are big expectations on myself as well. It may take me a little while because of the change of country. Everything will be different but I believe I can do well. I hope to add to an already strong squad, a fantastic squad, and win lots of honours this year. That is why I came here.'

11/8/1999 The 365 Q&A: Steve McManaman by "Football 365"

The Real Madrid New Boy On Sunny Spain, Missing Robbie And Yes, Anelka!
So Madrid, then, Steve. Enjoying it?
''It's absolutely fantastic and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I thought it would take a while to get settled, but I'm surprised how easily I've adjusted to a new and different environment. To be honest, the players have been fantastic and they've made it much easier for me. They're a great set of lads at Real Madrid and the banter's not far removed from what I was used to at Liverpool. I was always told that football was the international language, so even when you don't understand what a player is saying, the expressions give it away.''

Talking of language, how's your Spanish coming on?
''It certainly helped having lessons three times a week before I came out here. Now I'm having them every day and I'm picking it up quite well. My room-mate doesn't speak any English so that will force me to get on with learning. Obviously, I can't speak a lot of Spanish and if I have to do a big interview then I'll use the interpreter until I'm really confident I can speak the language fluently. Dealing with the press in Spain is very different from back home. You have to talk to them every day and they want to know just about everything about you.''

That should please your new teammate Nicolas Anelka no end!
''I don't know about that. He's been very quiet since he's been here, but we all know what a great player he is, so I'm sure he'll be an asset to the club.''

How has your new manager John Toshack been?
''He's gone out of his way to make me feel at home. I need some help with things at the minute and he's made sure that he's been there when I've needed a hand. As a coach I've got a lot of respect for him. The players respond to him and the team are working hard to achieve the objectives he's set for them this season.''

Have you spoken to any of the Liverpool lads?
''I've talked with Robbie Fowler, but he only keeps ringing me about our horse, Adetaler. I don't know why, but it keeps winning most of the time. Robbie and I are still very close and it's been a bit strange for us both now that I'm over here. We roomed together for ten years and now he's on his own. But Robbie's in good form from what I hear and that's great news for Liverpool in the new season.''

Are you going to keep up with English football while you're abroad?
''Definitely. I've had Sky put in already. I want to keep an eye on the Liverpool results and the Premiership in general. The strange thing for me will be playing on Sundays and having such late kick-offs. I guess after a while I'll get used to it but, after playing on Saturday at three o'clock, it'll take some adjusting to.''

Farewell Interview

I suppose this is what dreams are made of? From Liverpool to Real Madrid.
I'm very lucky, being able to play for two magnificent clubs. Liverpool is were I live, Liverpudlian is what I am. And now I'm going to Real Madrid, to a fantastic club and a fantastic city.

When was the decision taken? Some people say it was as long as a year ago?
It wasn't that long ago. A year ago I was still talking to Liverpool, but I decided to leave earlier on. And there was always an interest from Real Madrid during a number of months. All that was well documented, and I always preferred Spain to any other country. The team itself speaks volumes. When I had to take the decision in January, they were still interested, so the decision was easy? despite other clubs being interested.

The move to Real Madrid is obviously not only about money, but was money involved at all?
It's amazing. Some people say the deal is for $15 million. Some of the figures are unbelievable. Liverpool offered me fantastic money. Two years ago, I could have signed a new contract with Liverpool. But this move is certainly not for the money, although there is lot of it.

Clarence Seedorf, who has been playing on the right, was about to go, but it seems he staying. The midfield is going to be full of internationals: Robert Jarni, Fernando Redondo, Luis Helguera, Seedorf, Raul and you.
When you think about going to these sort of places, you base your decision on looking on these sort of players.It'll be very sad for me Seedorf goes, because I'm really looking forward to playing together in a team with him and with all of the rest of them.

Some people said your mind was more in Madrid than Liverpool last season.
It's slightly embarrassing to hear that, because I'm a professional footballer. It's an easy line to throw at me. I'm a confident player and I feel I played as well as I did a couple of years ago.

What do you think the main differences will be between Spanish and English football?
The main barrier is the language. If you get the language under your belt very early and you get on well with the players, you've got a first advantage. There shouldn't be huge differences between the leagues. Maybe English football is faster and Spanish is more laidback and more dynamic in the last third. I don't know, but I'll find out soon. The English game is also very honest. I don't like people diving or trying to get fellow players sent off. It's a hard game, but I like to be very sporting when I play.

How would you describe yourself as a player?
Hard working. I like to run with the ball, I've got stamina, I'm very good at running. That's about it really.

Are you going to stay for five years in Madrid?
Hopefully I will love this place.

And then will you come home?
I don't know. Maybe in two or three years Liverpool won't be interested in me any more or I'll decide to stay longer in Madrid because I love the lifestyle, like Michael Robinson did. That is if the club dosen't get rid of me before the contract ends.

about he's leaving Liverpool

"I am extremely sad to be leaving Liverpool. However, the opportunity to be  playing football for Real Madrid, the current European and world champions, is too good to turn down and it helps me further my ambition to test myself in another top European League.I chose Real Madrid above the other top European clubs that came in for me because I've always thought they were an excellent club. I have made my decision but I want to put it all out of my mind now until I actually become a Real player at the end of the season."

"I'm a Liverpool lad and my best friends are at the club, what else do I need to motivate me? I love Liverpool and this has been the hardest decision I have had to make, and despite what people say, money was not the motivating factor. I made it clear early on that I wanted the opportunity to play abroad. This is a great chance for me at Real Madrid. But I am still a Liverpool player until the end of the season and I want to leave with something to show."

"Even if Liverpool had won what Manchester United have, it may have been harder to leave but I would still have decided to go abroad. "It's all hypothetical, but I have always wanted to test myself abroad and experience a different culture. At 27 the age is right, at 29 it would have been too late. Paul Ince left United on a high, he'd won everything he could, but he went to Inter Milan at that point. He didn't win anything there, although he did play in a European final. But he experienced great times and learned a lot. He did it when United were on a high, and I would probably have done the same in his shoes. I have always harboured ambitions to play abroad, as much as I love Liverpool."

" I'd then love to play for Real against Liverpool. I know I have said that I wouldn't want to play against Robbie Fowler and Paul Ince but that was only in terms of with another English club. That would never have happened. If Real end up in the Champions' League playing Liverpool next season that will be tremendous because it will mean I have had some input in getting this club into the biggest competition in Europe, and that will delight me."

"People keep asking me whether I'll come back one day, and you never know, if a few years down the line Liverpool want me, and I want to come back, you never know. But saying that, in a couple of years Liverpool may not want me."

about his serious injury suffered in the season 98/99

"It's been difficult because I have not been injured before. I'd missed only a handful of games in six years. My last serious injury was when I was a teenager, so it's been a new and frustrating experience. The Achilles problem came from training on hard grounds in France during the World Cup finals. It never really went away but as I wanted to do my best for Liverpool I was happy to carry on. I'm hoping the long rest has solved the problem."

about his slim outlook

"The way I am has never bothered me at all. If I had more weight on me then I wouldn't be the same player. I wouldn't change the way I am for anything to be honest. I may not look particularly strong but I am physically fit and that's all that matters. I've read what people have said about me and I just laugh at it if the turth be told. Surely the important thing is that I can do a job for Liverpool. If that is the case then everything else has to be irrelevant. I've just been told to go out and try to cause danger wherever possible,it's a role which suits me as I'm much better going forward than I am helping out in defensive situations. But for people to say, as they have started to, that I am the only danger in the Liverpool side now is total rubbish. There are no other words for it. The rest of the player in the team deserve a lot of the credit as well because for this role to work then others have to fill in the gaps that I leave when I switch sides of the field or whatever."

about he's the most important player in Liverpool

"It's obviously very nice and very flattering but I don't think it's true at all. Every player picked on a Saturday afternoon is as important as any other player. And that is the same no matter which team you play for. I like to think I offer the side soemthing but then so does every player.I'm not going to win headers at the back,make flying saves or make crunching tackles in the midfield. We have other players here to do that - my job is to create danger running with the ball. We all have our own jobs to do and no-one is more important or more special than anyone else."

about his future (before joining Real Madrid)

"It gets extremely tedious after a while, I have to admit.I know that being in the public eye is part of the job for footballers these days and that the supporters and press want to know what you're doing and where you are going, but to read almost on a daily basis things which are untrue is a bit annoying. I just have to live with it though. Some of the things which have been written have been so far off the mark. I have never expressed any desire to leave Liverpool.All my friends and family are here so why would I? I still have a year left on my contract so there is lots of time to play with yet. If I had only one month remaining then I could understand people jumping to conclusions. But that isn't the case."

"People keep linking me with clubs but the position is that I am under contract to Liverpool. It is the only club I've ever played for and I am still hoping we can sort out a deal for when my contract expires at the end of the season. If not then I will be able to talk to other clubs but until then I'm totally committed to Liverpool. It is still my great ambition to see them back to the place they held in the British game in the 70s and 80s. I want to emulate those players I watched as a kid - Phil Neal, Phil Thompson and Graeme Souness - and win medals. Then I want to win them again and again. I've seen figures bandied about that are ridiculous. If anyone sat down and analysed what I am supposed to be demanding, they would realise that."

Talking football for "The Daily Telegraph"

14/5/99 - So, farewell then, Steve McManaman. How strange to be writing that about myself, as I prepare for my last Liverpool game. How do I feel? Well, mixed really. I've been at the club for 12 years, and when I leave behind all those memories, all that history, it will be a sad day in many ways. At the same time, I chose to leave because I decided to move on to new challenges, so I can hardly start getting all emotional and melancholy. When I finally decided to join Real Madrid - after months of agonising, it has to be said - I knew there would be a mixed reaction from our supporters, and I expect nothing else at Anfield on Sunday. I know how hard it is for the fans to see a long-serving player decide to leave. I can understand why they might get annoyed, and why some of them maybe turned against me a little. That's why it took me so long to make up my mind to go. So it's not going to be a big emotional scene at Anfield, I know that. I remember the words of Kevin Keegan some months ago, when he told me how the fans had a go after he announced his decision to leave Liverpool in the 70s. At the same time, I will be leaving behind a lot of friends among the players and staff, as well as my family, when I go to Spain. I've built up a lot of relationships at the club. I look back, and I think that of all the players and even the coaching staff, I am the one who has probably had the longest unbroken spell. Steve Staunton, Phil Thompson, Ron Yeats and Sammy Lee were all at Liverpool long before me, but they left and came back after I had joined. Strange really, but at the ripe old age of 27 I'm the old man around the place. There have been days out at Wembley, cup final goals, wins over Everton, Manchester United, Auxerre and Newcastle. Then the emotion of Roy Evans going, Kenny Dalglish's astonishing announcement, Graeme Souness being taken into hospital for his heart by-pass operation. I remember my first match almost as if it were yesterday. Dalglish had put me in the squad for quite a bit of the 1990-91 season, but I rarely got changed. Then I got changed, but never got off the bench. Finally, in December, I was on the bench and he turned to me and barked: "Warm up." I knew then I was going on. It was against Sheffield United, and he just said to me: "Enjoy yourself." I sprinted on and spent the rest of the game chasing the ball like a 10-year-old, trying to get a kick. Now, 360-odd senior games later, I'm leaving. In fact, it's probably over 500 games for Liverpool when you count reserves and friendlies. That's why it will be a sad day tomorrow. There will be no more weird and wonderful haircuts from David James and Robbie Fowler, no more hotel rooms around the world shared with Robbie. I'll miss the Liverpool lads, because they are a great bunch, but I will be back as much as possible to watch them. And I'll be willing them on too, hoping that they win the title next season. They deserve it.

20/2/99 - It is a huge relief now that the decision about my future is out in the open. My one regret is that I couldn't make the decision public earlier. With my contract running out in the summer, I was only able to enter discussions with clubs after Jan 1. Throughout October, November and December a thousand things could have happened to prevent my transfer to Real Madrid. I was injured virtually up until the beginning of December and then I was back on the sidelines after a nasty ankle injury on Boxing Day. I could have suffered a terrible long-term injury. The difficult thing was making up my mind about playing abroad. I talked to Gazza, Chris Waddle, Paul Ince and David Platt. They all said going abroad was not to be brushed off lightly. Even if the playing side did not prove particularly successful, the experience would be fantastic and they wouldn't have swapped their spells abroad for anything. At 27, it's the right time for me. If I didn't go this year, I would probably never have gone. I also spoke a lot to Gerard Houllier. We were very straight with each other. As he said, it would be unfair of him, a Frenchman working in England, to criticise a player who wanted to test himself in another European league. I was watching the FIFA World Player of the Year on television and it struck me that the three players up there - Zinedine Zidane, Davor Suker and Ronaldo - are all playing in foreign countries. It is the challenge every ambitious player wants: to succeed in a foreign environment. I'm one of the few to go the opposite direction, but I think more will in the future. I've never lived away from home. I envisage flying back to Liverpool during any time off. Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Jamie Redknapp are all good friends and they'll be sick of the sight of me. Because the games in Spain are on Sundays the lads have said they'll fly out to support me. Kevin Keegan's appointment as England manager is exciting. It has been well documented that certain players did not see eye to eye with Glenn Hoddle. Last year I was deeply disappointed that, although I got into the World Cup squad, I wasn't called upon to play a significant part. Hopefully, every contender will now start with a clean slate. The Newcastle lads rave about Keegan and a lot of our lads who worked with him at under-21 level said he was excellent. People who heard his World Cup commentaries say he is a fan of mine. It's strange the assumptions being made when I've never worked for him. But we have something in common - leaving Liverpool for a European club. I'd like to talk to him about his experience of that for starters. To cheer things up after Liverpool's defeat last weekend, my horse Auetaler ran for the first time over hurdles in the 5.20 at Taunton on Thursday and won by 20 lengths.

30/1/99 - The Tottenham-Wimbledon saga looks set to run and run. To play each other five times in a month, with each of the three matches so far ending in a draw, must be very strange. You can see them all finishing in draws and them having to play each other seven times or something. Tactically, it is difficult to know what to do to break the deadlock. Even the headlines have been on the same lines, with Joe Kinnear and David Ginola providing the twists. There was Kinnear accusing Ginola of diving, before Ginola had the glory with a great display on the pitch. Thee players will find it strange to line up identically against each other time and again. They probably know each other well and they'll be having a joke at the start, but each successive meeting will get tougher. Last season we played Newcastle three times in a month - two League games and a Coca-Cola Cup fixture. We won three times, but the games were completely different. The first game we won. In the second game tactics were changed and we won again, but it was much closer. Then we played at Anfield, which we thought would be better with the home crowd behind us, and that was even harder! Our game last week against Manchester United was very upsetting. What a dreadful way to go out of the FA Cup. I was a sub and at 1-0 up I thought I'd never get on because the lads were defending so well. I'm not a great sitter on the bench, so I was running up and down the side of the pitch at the time of their last-minute goals, trying to keep warm and shouting instructions. It was terrible being that close and not being able to go on and help. As soon as the whistle went, I ran on to the pitch to speak to the lads and try and gee them up again. We have an important game against Coventry today. We have to keep our heads up because we have the title to play for. That, in everyone's eyes, has always been number one priority. We're sixth, not that many points behind the League leaders. So it's a case of trying to achieve things through the League, get to the Champions' League and a place in Europe. I played in a reserves match against Sunderland this week -amazingly there were more than 33,000 in the Stadium of Light - on the same night as Peter Beardsley's testimonial at a packed-out St James's Park. He certainly deserved his tribute. He could have retired years ago, but he's still giving 100 per cent for Hartlepool. I remember Peter well. I was a young lad coming through when he was at Liverpool but he and the likes of John Barnes, Ian Rush and Ronnie Whelan helped me enormously whenever they could.

9/1/99 - Injuries, for me, are like the No 7 bus. You don't get one for ages and then they all come along at the same time. Before this season at Liverpool, in the whole of my senior career, I had missed barely a dozen games. Then, the curse of the World Cup struck. Every player gets a serious injury in their career, and I'm hoping I've just had mine. I lost 10 weeks in total with my Achilles tendon problem, and I was so relieved to get back. No sooner had I done so, than I was hit with another injury. A nasty ankle injury, too. Let us just say that it sneaked up behind me and kicked me viciously when I wasn't looking. It is fair to say that I expressed my feelings strongly as I was limping off. Even more annoying than that is the fact that I was so pleased to be back helping Liverpool after the longest lay-off of my career. My previous absence had coincided with one of the worst patches we had experienced for some time, and when I came back, we had just started a winning streak. So to be forced out again is a miserable blow. When you have a lengthy lay-off, it gives you time on your hands that can be quite destructive. Your mind tends to dwell on all the worst thoughts that fly through it, and it is easy for a player to get depressed. I've got plenty on my mind. There seems to have been a concerted campaign against me recently, which I have found pretty demoralising. It is not my wish in this column to whinge about criticism, but I think it is fair to put the record straight with my side of the story. What annoys me is that some outrageous claims have been made, and not once has the person doing it had the decency to check whether there is the remotest bit of truth in it. 110,000 a week? God bless us, are you having a laugh? The people suggesting that is my demand must think that fans are stupid. But I know our supporters aren't gullible, and they know that sort of stuff is nonsense, fantasy. They know that just about every week since it became clear I might leave Liverpool, the figures bandied about in the media have gone up. Anyone who knows me at all knows that money is not the issue. Liverpool made a very generous offer, for which I am grateful. But I have to consider much more than that. I have been criticised for underachieving in my career, and it is a criticism I want to counter. I have ambition. I have always wanted to play abroad, and now I have been offered that opportunity. When some of the biggest clubs in Europe come calling, you have to be flattered. All I can say is that I need time before making my final decision, because I don't want to get it wrong. I will sit down over the next few weeks and go through my options. I feel great pride in playing for Liverpool, and that's why the decision is so difficult.

28/11/98 - I have a confession to make. Big boys don't cry, right? Especially in the hard-bitten world of football. Well, there was a moist sheen blurring a lot of people's vision when Roy Evans said goodbye at Liverpool's training ground. It was an emotional day. I know the gaffer - as I will always call him - had his critics, but there is no denying that his decision to leave Anfield after 35 years touched everyone. He called the players together to say a few words before he faced the press, and it is a moment that will remain etched in my memory for ever. Professional footballers have to be as hard as granite to navigate the pressures of the business, but there is still a human side to the game, and it came out when Roy tried to talk to us. He was overwhelmed with emotion as he realised this would be his last 'team talk'. All he could say was that he thought he was a tough man, but he wasn't at the moment. As he filled up, he simply turned his back and walked away. He left behind hardly a dry eye. We've all been criticised for letting the Gaffer down, but he had the genuine respect of every single member of the squad at Anfield. It was a truly sad occasion. However, the club is still standing, the supporters are still paying through the turnstiles, and Gerard Houllier is now the manager. Football dulls sensitivity. Roy had our massive respect, but that will not prevent a single player from offering complete support to the manager now. There is no resentment, no suspicion. We've worked with him for the last few months and we're right behind him. The joint management idea had its merits. Some senior players went to Roy at the end of last season and asked for more functional work. When Gerard came in, he brought that expertise with him, the two talents combined well. Inevitably, however, there were grey areas. The players never knew who was making the decisions or who they had to defer to. There is no confusion now. I have noticed stories saying the boss came in and banned mobile phones, coffee and butter, which had angered the players. Laughable. Gerard has merely introduced ideas on diet and fitness that are common across the Continent. He hasn't banned anything. He has also, naturally enough, again raised the subject of my contract. He wants me to stay and I'm glad of his support. I'm still negotiating with Liverpool, and I'm honest when I say I would like to stay. But the fact is, under present circumstances, I'll become a free agent in the summer, and that is significant. Most people would surely agree I must make the best decision for myself. It isn't something to rush into. The only club I have spoken to is Liverpool. If I can't agree with them, then I have said I would like to test myself in one of the top leagues abroad. That is now a distinct option. But I've decided nothing yet.

7/11/98 - It has been a hectic few days after scoring a goal in the decisive UEFA Cup leg against Valencia and being sent off for the first time in my career. Paul Ince and I don't know why we were shown red cards in Spain. I think I was sent off for pushing Amadeo Carboni and Incey because he came over and tried to break it up. That's what we've deduced from watching the video evidence about 57 times. Until we've seen the referee's report, we don't really know. I've never had a red card before. It was a peculiar experience. After I went down the tunnel - Incey followed a minute later - I got undressed, got into the shower and while I was under the water I heard they had equalised. It suddenly became tense. I was getting a running commentary from someone in the shower room who was shouting to someone down the tunnel who could see what was going on. From leading 2-1very easily, they had equalised, and we were two men down. So straight away I was imagining the worst scenario. If they had got another goal and gone through, it would have been our fault. Then the game was over and it was a great relief. The red cards were a big blow. Paul and I now miss the next UEFA Cup match - the tough away game to Celta Vigo. In hindsight, we're sorry for the kerfuffle because we're going to miss an important night. Referee rage is a subject that needs addressing. Certainly on Thursday night, I know Jonathan Pearce on Channel 5 remarked that in the Chelsea v FC Copenhagen game, one of the Copenhagen fellows pushed Dennis Wise right in front of the referee and nothing was said or done about it. It's strange that I can get sent off for an offence with two minutes of injury time to go when I hadn't been involved in any other incident that night while, in another game, the player doesn't even get a telling-off from the referee for an identical offence. That's what baffles players: the inconsistency. You see it in our league and around the world. Officials from different countries have different ways of interpreting the rules. Before a game the lads will ask, 'Who have we got today?' The referee's name will be read out to be met either with groans or cheers. Nothing in between. The ones that are OK are the ones who call you Macca, your name or your nickname, and banter with the lads. They'll tell you what you've done wrong. If you know where you stand, you're fine. Other refs refuse to talk. Their manner is a bit school-teacherish and that's where the frustration creeps in. Certain players have an aura - the likes of Incey, Wise, Roy Keane (they're usually tough-tackling midfielders) - that makes referees want to stamp on them immediately. Saying that, some are fine. But consistency in interpreting the rules would benefit everyone.

The 365 Q&A by "Football 365"

What's your feeling about having to play your biggest rivals so early in the competition?
"Well, you'd obviously want to avoid one of the best sides around in the competition at such an early stage, but the draw's down to pure luck, isn't it? But if you want to win the FA Cup, you have to beat the best, so why not get it out the way early on? Besides, it's not as if we have a choice, is it?"

Liverpool haven't beaten United in the cup since 1921. Do you think that matters?
"Statistics are irrelevant. Everybody knows that cup games are a one-off and, if you go into the game with any negative thoughts, you'll be starting at a disadvantage. I want to reverse the trend and I'm sure the lads will be more than fired-up to do that."

Reckon the game will be a classic?
"Liverpool-United games are never boring, are they? The fans love it and I reckon it brings out the best in the teams. The games are tense, passionate and exciting - and both sides are playing well - so I reckon it'll be an entertaining match. But then again, the FA Cup always brings the best out of you."

So just how important is the FA Cup to the really big clubs these days?
"It's always been important and it still is. It's a great thing for a player to win the trophy. And the fans are always desperate to see us have a good run and get to Wembley. The FA Cup's the biggest domestic competition in the world. I reckon that makes it pretty important."

Macca's career in his own clubs

Like former teammate Robbie Fowler, Macca grew up as an Evertonian. He played for Liverpool schools at all levels and attracted interest from a variety of clubs. Although both he and his father were Evertonians they made a career decision that Liverpool's more patient passing style was more suited to his game. He was taken on as a trainee by Liverpool in 1989 and made rapid progress into the first team. Kenny Dalglish brought him to the club and he came through the youth ranks signing professional forms on his 18th birthday in February 1990. He made his debut towards the end of Dalglish's reign as manager, coming on as a substitute for Peter Beardsley at Anfield in a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in December 1990.

Under new manager Graeme Souness, Macca continued to take rapid strides. He came on as sub again in the last game of the 1990/91 season, then made his first start in the first game of the next season in a 2-1 win over Oldham. In the next match Macca scored his first goal in a 2-1 defeat at Maine Road. He played 32 League games in that season, more than any other forward. He scored 11 goals (all competitions) in the season of which the most important was the extra-time winner in the "Reds" 3-2 FA Cup fifth round replay win at Ipswich. He ended his first full season by playing in the Liverpool side that beat Sunderland 2-0 in the FA Cup final.

Responding to the challenge, Macca was credited with his first hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in October 1994 in his 100th League appearance although the Premier League later decreed that one of the goals was an "own goal".

In January 1994, Roy Evans was appointed as the new manager and gave Macca a free role as an attacking midfield, striking along either wing or through the centre. Macca blossomed in this role and rapidly became the pivotal member of the Liverpool side. The main problem was that Macca became so important to the Liverpool style of play that it was a little worrying to consider how they might play without him. However, the fall-off in his goalscoring return in this and the following season led manager Roy Evans to state that he should score more often and not drift out of games.

In his second domestic final in November 1994, Macca won the man of the match award, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory over Bolton and that was the last trophy that Liverpool could win under Roy Evans' guidance. Stanley Matthews presented the cup and afterwards praised Macca's performance. His dazzling dribbling skills would seem to ensure his future at both club and international level.

The 95/96 season was Macca's best for Liverpool, he made the right slot in the midfield his own, and he was nearly an ever present. The only bad thing was that Macca's third Wembley cup final performance ended in disappointment as Liverpool lost to Manchester United.

Macca had another excellent season in 96/97 just missing one Premiership game and scoring seven goals in the top-flight.

Since September 1997, rumours spreaded again and again that Macca would make a move to Barcelona FC. He told the press that he wanted to influence Liverpool to be the best club in Europe again but what we were waiting for was that he signed a new contract before expired in June 99. Macca has had a brilliant start to the 97/98 season. Macca's goal against Celtic in the UEFA Cup, where he picked up the ball in his own half and ran at the Celtic defence, was undoubtedly the best goal he has ever scored in a red shirt. He scored 12 goals in 97/98 season as he reached his peak form again.

At the beginning of 98/99 season, Lazio and Newcastle had made a 10M offer for this talented midfielder, but they failed. Real Madrid, the winner of UEFA Champions League of 97/98 season, wants to buy Macca for free, as Macca's contract with Liverpool will end at June 1999. In the early 1999, Macca annouced that he would join Real Madrid on 1st July 1999 for a five-year contract. His weekly wage is up to about 60,000 pounds. He said he might return to Liverpool after this five-year deal.

Macca's career in England National Team

Lawrie McMenemy chose Macca for his England Under-21 debut against Wales at Tranmere in December 1990 before he had played for the Liverpool first-team and later commented about the spindly teenager that there was more fat on a chip. In February 1993, Macca captained the England Under-21 side for the first time against San Marino and he scored the last goal in a convincing 6-0 win.

In November 1994, Macca was rewarded with his first England cap against Nigeria at Wembley when he came on as a 25th minute substitute for the injured Robert Lee. His full debut came against Colombia in September 1995.

Macca was picked as a member of the England Euro 96 squad. He enjoyed an outstanding Euro 96 for England, until the penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany. After winning plaudits from Stanley Matthews the year before, it was Pele who praised Macca's performance as England progressed to the semi-finals.

After Euro96, Macca was also a regular for England until Roy Evans decided to pull him out of the squad to go to 'Le Tournoi' in France. This angered Glen Hoddle and it remains to be seen whether Steve will win back his place for the national side.

After appearing to be out of the race for a place in the final squad, Macca got the nod from Hoddle to play in France. In the first round match against Colombia, Macca came on as a sub to replace Paul Scholes and played for only seventeen minutes.

Macca was named in the squad for the Sweden game on 5 September, but did not make the final team. He has not joined the England squad for the Bulgaria and subsequent games due to an Achilles injury.

After a long absence Macca is back in the England squad. He started the game against Poland but was substituted by Ray Palour after 69 minutes. He played most of the match against Hungary, but was not in the squad for the games against Sweden and Bulgaria at the end of the 98/99 season due to the death of his mother.

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Macca's pics

Macca's Minor Stuff