Blink and you'd have missed Jan Kromkamp's Liverpool career, so short was the Dutchman's stay on Merseyside.
Kromkamp had swapped Holland for Spain in the summer of 2005, leaving AZ Alkmaar for Villarreal, but after he
had struggled to adapt to life at his new club, Rafa Benitez used the January transfer window to bring him to Anfield
in a swap deal with the homesick Josemi, the right back who was Benitez' first signing for the club. Kromkamp had
already endeared himself to Reds fans by featuring in the Villarreal side that achieved good results against both Everton
and Manchester United in that season's Champions League, and made his Liverpool debut as a late substitute for
Peter Crouch in a thrilling 5-3 FA Cup Third Round win over Luton at Kenilworth Road, while his first start came in
a 2-1 win in the next round against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. The good form of Steve Finnan would restrict Kromkamp's
appearances, and when they came they were often on the right side of midfield, but he performed well in a home draw with
Charlton and a win at Newcastle.
The FA Cup was Liverpool's only chance of silverware now, and Jan appeared as the Reds beat Manchester United 1-0 at
Anfield thanks to Crouch, before going on to see off Birmingham and Chelsea on the way to a Cardiff final with West Ham.
Jan started the final on the bench, but came on for the injured Xabi Alonso 67 minutes into a thrilling game that saw
West Ham leading 2-0 and then 3-2. Kromkamp added much need balance and energy to Liverpool's right side; his presence
allowing Steven Gerrard to move inside and smash home the stunning last minute equaliser that took the game to extra time,
and ultimately to penalties where Pepe Reina saved three kicks to win the Reds their seventh FA Cup. Kromkamp was named i
n Holland's 2006 World Cup squad, but didn't play a game, and returned to Anfield to find his Liverpool career in jeopardy.
He played a full ninety minutes on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, as Liverpool drew 1-1 at
Sheffield United's Bramall Lane, but his days on Merseyside were numbered, and he moved back to his native Holland with
PSV Eindhoven on August 31st, ending an eight-month Liverpool career. Ironically, PSV were drawn to play Liverpool in that
season's Champions League; first in the group stages and then the quarter-finals. Kromkamp started three times against his
former employers; only four games less than he had done for the Reds over the previous year. (Mark Jones).
CLUB CAREER:
1998–2000 Go Ahead Eagles 61 (5)
2000–2005 AZ 133 (7)
2005–2006 Villarreal 6 (0)
2006 Liverpool 14 (0)
2006–2011 PSV 68 (2)
2011–2013 Go Ahead Eagles 34 (0)
Total 316 games (14 goals)