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Alvaro ArbeloaSpanish professional footballer, defender of the English team Liverpool.
Date of Birth: 17.01.1983
Country:  Spain |
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Álvaro Arbeloa
Early CareerÁlvaro Arbeloa is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Liverpool in the English Premier League. He joined Real Madrid's youth academy at a young age, where he was coached by Rafael Benitez. He became a regular for the reserve team and made two appearances for the first team, but failed to establish himself in the senior squad.
Deportivo La Coruña and Liverpool
On July 24, 2006, Arbeloa joined Deportivo La Coruña in search of regular playing time. He soon attracted the attention of Liverpool, who signed him for a fee of £2.5 million on January 31, 2007. Arbeloa made his Liverpool debut as a substitute against Newcastle United on February 10, but his full debut came on February 21 against Barcelona at Camp Nou in the UEFA Champions League. Playing as a left-back, he was tasked with marking Lionel Messi and, despite conceding the opening goal, Liverpool ultimately won 2-1.
First Goal and Number Change
On April 7, 2007, Arbeloa scored his first goal for Liverpool against Reading, becoming the first player to score in an official match while wearing the number 2 shirt for Liverpool in 14.5 years and the first to score in the Premier League while wearing the number in the same timeframe. Ahead of the 2007-08 season, he switched from the number 2 to the number 17, which was vacated by Craig Bellamy.
International Debut
Arbeloa made his debut for the Spain national team on March 27, 2008, replacing Sergio Ramos as a substitute in a 1-0 friendly win against Italy.
