A left-footed central defender with a formidable long-range shot, Daniel Agger has been a Liverpool FC player since January 2006, but much of his time at Anfield has been spent recovering from injury. An ever-present for Denmark at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he is set to captain his country at UEFA EURO 2012.

• Came through the youth system at Brøndby IF and experienced a brilliant debut season in the Superligaen, making 26 appearances and scoring five goals as the club won the Danish league and cup double under coach Michael Laudrup.

• Handed his senior international debut in a friendly against Finland in Tampere on 2 June 2005, he scored his first goal for Morten Olsen's team three months later during a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier versus Georgia (6-1).

• Left for European champions Liverpool midway through 2005/06 season and made a major impact the following term, notably in the UEFA Champions League, starting 11 matches and scoring the only goal in the second leg of the semi-final against Chelsea FC at Anfield, which Liverpool won on penalties; played in the Athens showpiece defeat by AC Milan.

• Missed most of 2007/08 with a foot injury but returned to assist Liverpool in finishing second in the 2008/09 Premier League and help Denmark end six years in the international wilderness by qualifying for the 2010 World Cup; started all three fixtures in South Africa.

• Finally reached 100 Premier League appearances for Liverpool in October 2011 and won his first trophy with the club in February 2012 as the Merseysiders overcame Cardiff City FC on penalties in the League Cup final – although he was substituted before the shoot-out with yet another injury.

UEFA honours
UEFA Champions League: runner-up 2007