Player Profile: Jose 'El Toro' Enrique

Jose Enrique has been an useful addition to Liverpool

Jose Enrique Sanchez Diaz, aka, Jose Enrique was Kenny Dalglish’s choice to fill in the void at left back when he joined Liverpool in the summer of 2011. Soon, it was clear to everyone, why King Kenny had opted for Jose Enrique to fill that position.

He arrived from the Toons and his confident displays at his favoured left back position made the Kopites aware of how fast he got settled down at Liverpool.

During his term at Villareal, he earned the nickname ‘El Toro’ (The Bull), due to his speed, prowess and the eagerness to join the attack. He soon found himself knocking on the door of the Spain U-21 squad.

By 2007-08, Enrique was one of the hottest properties in Europe and Newcastle won the race to sign him, even though the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City had also reported interest in the youngster.

He made quite an impression at Newcastle in his first season at Tyneside, making 28 appearances and although he was impressive in his second season too, he was not able to stop the slip of Newcastle into the Championship, when he stated his desire to help the Toons bring back top-flight football to St. James’ Park. He remained true to his word and not just he helped Newcastle back into Premiership, he along with a certain Andy Carroll was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season.

Enrique left Newcastle after having played 129 matches and scoring one goal.

He didn’t have to wait for long time to get his hands on a winner’s medal and silverware when Liverpool won their first trophy in 6 long years, when they won the Carling Cup in February.