[lfc-news] Fernando such a fast starter - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 13 Jan 2005
Fernando such a fast starter

FERNANDO MORIENTES has a habit of making an instant impression.

In his first season at Real Madrid he hit 12 league goals and four in
Europe to help Real lift the Champions League. On his debut for Spain he
netted twice in the first five minutes against Sweden.

Morientes was snapped up by Madrid from Real Zaragoza after scoring 28
goals in 66 league matches.

A technically gifted striker, who turns 29 in April, he began his career
with Albacete in 1993. After two seasons Zaragoza came calling and
Morientes was on his way to becoming one of Spain's top goal scorers.

A haul of 23 strikes in 36 appearances at international level backs up
his credentials.

Morientes won a total of three Champions League winners medals with
Madrid, plus a brace of La Liga titles and Spanish Super Cup honours.

Fierce competition for places at the Bernabeu from the likes of Ronaldo
and Raul saw him loaned out to Monaco last term.

Again he wasted no time winning over the fans. He was top scorer in the
Champions League last season, powering the French club to the final and
reinforcing claims he is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe.

However, this season at Madrid has been a struggle. Michael Owen's
arrival saw him slip down the pecking order and Morientes netted just
once in 18 appearances.

A new challenge awaits.


Fernando Morientes factfile

1976: Born April 5, Caceres, Spain

1993: Debut for Albacete

1995: Moved to Real Zaragoza, where he scored 30 goals in two seasons

1997: Transferred to Real Madrid March

1998: Scores twice in the first five minutes of his senior international
debut against Sweden

May 20: Plays in 1-0 Champions League final victory over Juventus in
Amsterdam.

June: Scores two goals for Spain in the World Cup in France

May 2000: Scores the opening goal as Real win the Champions League again
with a 3-0 victory over Valencia in Paris, but left out of Spain's Euro
2000 squad

2001: Wins first Primera Liga title with Real

May 2002: Plays in the Champions League final 2-1 victory over Bayer
Leverkusen

June: Scores four times for Spain in the World Cup in Japan and Korea

June 2003: Wins second Primera Liga title with Real

August 31: Agrees season-long loan with Monaco

May 2004: Loses Champions League final 3-0 to Porto but finishes the
competition's leading scorer with nine goals

June: Scores in the 1-1 draw with eventual Euro 2004 winners Greece -
one of only two goals managed by Spain before their early exit from the
European Championships in Portugal

January 12, 2005: Madrid accept £6.3million offer from Liverpool for
Morientes.


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