PLAYER PROFILE

Philipp Degen

Position: Defence

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 4lbs

Date of Birth: 1983-02-15 Liestal, Switzerland

Philipp Degen

Phillip Degen is a Swiss international right-back who signed for Liverpool in July 2008. He began his professional career with Swiss team Basel in 2001, having impressed in their youth system for six years.

After a similarly successful four-year stint with the club, he was snapped up by German outfit Borussia Dortmund in 2005. Here he made his name, proving himself a dogged and determined defender, who made nearly 70 appearances for the club.

This attracted the attentions of Rafa Benitez, who signed him for free on a four-year-contract. He is a regular member of the Switzerland set-up and was part of the squad which co-hosted Euro 2008.

However, Degen's first season at Anfield was a nightmare. His competitive debut against Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup saw him suffer broken ribs and a punctured lung, while his comeback in the same competition months later ended in a broken metatarsal.

In January 2009, his second comeback in a reserve match saw him suffer another metatarsal injury.