Luis Javier Garcia Sanz Spanish football player Date of Birth: 24.06.1978 Country: Spain

Biography of Luis Javier Garcia Sans

Luis Javier Garcia Sans is a Spanish football player who currently plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Atletico Madrid and the Spanish national team. He was trained in the Barcelona football school and has played for Barcelona, Tenerife, Atletico Madrid, and Real Valladolid in the Spanish La Liga.

Position and Style of Play
Garcia usually plays as an advanced forward or attacking midfielder. He quickly gained a reputation as a highly technical player in England, but his technique is also characterized by frequent loss of possession in dangerous situations. Garcia has excellent shooting ability with both feet, which allows him to be a versatile attacking player capable of playing on both flanks and in the center. Despite his relatively short stature, he is also effective in scoring goals with his head.

Career at Liverpool
In August 2004, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez (who had coached Tenerife when Garcia played there) signed Garcia for a transfer fee of 6 million pounds. Although he was initially brought in as a cheap replacement for El Hadji Diouf as an attacking midfielder, Garcia became a key player in Liverpool's attacking line. He made his Premier League debut on August 29, 2004, against Bolton, where he scored a disallowed goal due to an incorrectly flagged offside position. He scored his first goal for Liverpool in September 2004, in a game against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield. In his first season, he scored a total of 8 goals in the country's league, including a goal in the Merseyside derby on March 20, 2005.

Success in the UEFA Champions League
Garcia played a significant role in Liverpool's success in the UEFA Champions League in the 2004/05 season. He scored crucial goals against Juventus (quarter-finals) and Chelsea (semi-finals). He also played a vital role in the final match against AC Milan on May 25, 2005. In his first season with Liverpool, Garcia scored a total of 13 goals.

Later Career
In the 2005/06 season, Garcia's role in the team diminished slightly, although he continued to score important goals, particularly his goal against Chelsea that prevented them from reaching the FA Cup final. He did not participate in the victorious FA Cup final for Liverpool due to suspension.

Personal Life and Achievements
Garcia is married to Raquel, and they have a son named Joel. After the birth of their first child, Garcia started celebrating his goals by sucking his thumb. He won the UEFA Champions League in 2004/05, the UEFA Super Cup in 2005/06, the FA Cup in 2005/06, and the FA Community Shield in 2006/07. He also represented Spain in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, reaching the round of 16.