Gerard Houllier had had his eye on Gregory Vignal for some time before signing him from Montpellier at the start of the 2000/01 season when the French side were relegated from the French first division.
He has been unlucky with injuries and after spending the first half of the 2002/03 season in the reserves, he has since had loan spells with Bastia and Rennes.
It is unlikely that Vignal will regain his first team place at Anfield, and has been linked with a move to Rangers.