A hat trick of trophies signified Liverpool’s progression from domestic and European also-rans into a major force once again, but spare a thought for Sander Westerveld, bartered, peddled and then sold off to the then struggling Real Sociedad in December of that glorious year.
Westerveld’s performances against Manchester United in the Charity Shield, for example, had established him as a favourite amongst the Liverpool fans, and it was an affection duly reciprocated by the Dutchman. An excellent shots stopper that made some breathtaking saves, but a tendency to flap at crosses and a general failure to command his area caused the odd fluttering of hearts.
There was a mutual respect, but yet an uneasiness was always there, as had been the case with Westerveld’s predecessor David James. Mistakes, although not commonplace, were too frequent for comfort, and it culminated in a nightmare error at the Reebok Stadium as Liverpool lost 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers.
Just days after the costly clanger a bizarre day of transfer activity saw not one, but two goalkeepers arrive on Merseyside at the expense of Westerveld, who subsequently spent his remaining four months in the Reserves clinging onto the hope that he could reclaim a place that had slipped (pardon the pun) from his grasp. A sole goalkeeping acquisition would have been quality competition, but two was a sure sign that Westerveld's life and times in Liverpool were up.
But even more saddening was the keeper’s assumption after such a mistake that his place was not yet under threat, after being told during the summer that the imfamously ruthless Gerard Houllier would not attempt to sign a new goalkeeper.
Necessary sacrifice sprang to mind when Le Boss acted on his belief that a replacement was required. Our greatest sides of years gone by had a reliable, dependable goalkeeper and it was something we hadn’t had for a considerably long time, and hence something we needed if we were to return to such times. Gerard Houllier was there to wield the axe as we covered our eyes and wished him all the best.
Justifiably sympathetic ‘arrs’ ensued when news of Westerveld’s conversation with new Anfield No.1 Jerzy Dudek mid-flight broke. A bizarre coincidence paired the two on the same Boeing, with the Dutchman wishing the Pole all the best in his Liverpool career.
Moves to Rangers and back to his homeland failed to materialise, but former Anfield legend John Toshack rescued him from obscurity, yet it was a move that took Westerveld from the hustle and bustle of an English Championship challenge into a dogged relegation battle.
Strangely enough Westerveld was paired up with former Liverpool defender Bjorn Tore Kvarme, a player that had shared a similar fate at the hands of the French executioner, although via St Etienne. Hardly a pair to ease defensive concerns you would think, but nevertheless, despite the sacking of Toshack just three months after Westerveld’s arrival, Sociedad lived to see another day. Rumours of an impending move for Phil Babb proved false.
Life at the Basque side hasn’t proved all that bad, with Sociedad sitting proudly at the top of La Liga a point clear with six games played, and Westerveld in fine form. But what remains is Westerveld’s ambition return to the International setup, dropped by Louis Van Gaal during his time at Anfield due to a lack of competitive matches. Surely it can be only a matter of time before he does so.
Records show that few players to leave Anfield have found greater success elsewhere. Forgive me for wishing him all the best in his quest to do so.