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Under new manager Graeme Souness,
McManaman continued to take rapid strides. He came on as sub again in the
last game of the 1990/91 season, then made his first start in the first
game of the next season in a 2-1 win over Oldham. Mark Wright, Dean Saunders
and Mark Walters made their debuts in the same match. In the next match
McManaman scored his first goal in a 2-1 defeat at Maine Road. Souness
gave McManaman a chance to establish himself, in place of the injured John
Barnes, and by the end of the season the younster had played more than
50 games. McManaman finished the season as man of the match in the FA Cup
final at Wembley, laying on both goals as he switched wings at half-time
and caused consternation in the Sunderland defence.
In January 1994 Roy Evans was appointed
manager and one of his tasks was to work out how to get the best out of
his young talent. McManaman had traditionally been played as an out and
out right winger, although he swopped to the left wing on occasions. With
the switch to the 3-5-2 formation in Autumn 1994 McManaman was given a
free role as an attacking midfielder, striking along either wing or through
the centre. McManaman blossomed in this role and rapidly became the pivotal
member of the Liverpool side. The main problem was that McManaman became
so important to the Liverpool style of play that it was a little worrying
to consider how they might play without him.
In November 1994 McManaman was rewarded
with his first England cap against Nigeria at Wembley and later in the
season he appeared at Wembley again in the Coca Cola Cup final. In his
second domestic final, McManaman won the man of the match award again,
this time scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory over Bolton. Stanley Matthews
presented the cup and afterwards praised McManaman's performance.
In 1996 McManaman's third Wembley
cup final performance ended in disappointment as Liverpool lost to Manchester
United. However, McManaman was a picked as a member of the England Euro
96 squad. After winning plaudits from Stanley Matthews the year before,
it was Pele who praised McManaman's performance as England progressed to
the semi-finals.
After a rather good season with Liverpool
it looks as though Macca may leave Liverpool as they aren't winning anything.
It is rumoured he wants £50,000 a week.
BORN: Liverpool 11.2.72.
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