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‘I made my debut at Anfield – you don’t get much more daunting than one of the best stadiums in the world’ Arsenal legend opens up on his Gunners debut

Ray Parlour’s 13-year stint at Arsenal saw him rack up more than 450 appearances and score 32 goals as the ‘Romford Pele’ proved he was more than just a cult favourite in north London.

His everyman quality would serve him well with the fans, but as his career progressed, so did his leadership abilities as he became one of Arsene Wenger’s unsung heroes.

Parlour would hoist up nine major trophies with the Gunners – but which games meant the most to him?

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The games that changed Ray Parlour’s life

Anfield

Parlour made his debut at Anfield in 1992

Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal, First Division, 1992

“My professional debut. At that stage, you’re used to playing reserve games in front of 150 people, then you’re suddenly given your big chance. I made my debut at Anfield – such an iconic ground. You don’t get much more daunting than one of the best stadiums in the world. A few days before, George Graham told me I’d get my chance and, honestly, I just tried not to think about it too much, because I wouldn’t have slept with all the nerves and excitement.

“I remember my dad came to watch – he sat in the directors’ box and said he was so proud to see his boy running out at Anfield. That one means a lot to me.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Thierry Henry and Ray Parlour of Arsenal with the Premier League trophy after the match between Arsenal and Leicester City in the Premier League at Highbury on May 15, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Ray Palrour celebrates with Thierry Henry on 2004 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal 4-0 Everton, Premier League, 1998

“Arsene Wenger’s first Double and a brilliant season for me. The Everton game, when we clinched the title, sticks out. We battered them and Tony Adams scored with a lovely half-volley.

“I put in one of my best performances that day, running my socks off, even though I didn’t score. I won Arsenal’s player of the season that year – that’s no easy feat up against Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka.

“But I played my part in an iconic season. I was one of the Invincibles too, but felt at my best during the Double campaign. As soon as a game finished, I just couldn’t wait for us to play the next one.”

Ray Parlour, Arsenal

Parlour fires home against Chelsea (Image credit: Getty)

Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea, FA Cup Final, 2002

“Growing up in my house, the FA Cup final was everything. It was the biggest game of the year and one of the only live games you could watch on TV at the time. My parents were really into it, and I’d sit with them and my brothers every year.

“To later play in those games was massive for my whole family. I’d played in the 1993 FA Cup Final, which we won in a replay against Sheffield Wednesday, but I scored in the 2002 final with Chelsea – a nice curling goal too. Scoring in an FA Cup final on your way to winning the trophy is everything that you dreamed of as a kid. One of the best days I’ve ever had.”

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Liverpool’s emergency defensive cover withdraws from international squad in fresh Anfield blow

Liverpool are in the midst of a defensive injury crisis, and it may just have got worse.

Ibrahima Konate was withdrawn on the hour mark in their most recent outing against Chelsea, with manager Arne Slot later citing a “quad” issue.

It comes during one of the trickiest spells in the Dutchman’s tenure so far, with the Reds having lost three games on the bounce, including their trip to Stamford Bridge.

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Another defensive injury added to Liverpool’s current woes

Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool

Slot confirmed Ibrahima Konate came off with a quad injury at the weekend (Image credit: Getty Images)

Depending on the length of his absence, Konate could soon be joining fellow centre-back and new signing Giovanni Leoni in the treatment room, the young Italian who picked up an ACL injury in his first outing for a new club.

Numbers were already light in that department for Slot heading into this new campaign, but a fresh update has cranked the pressure up even more.

Giovanni Leoni was stretchered from the field on his Liverpool debut

Young centre-back Giovanni Leoni had to be stretchered off in his Reds debut (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool have confirmed, via their official website, that Wataru Endo has withdrawn from international duty with Japan due to injury.

The 32-year-old has not been a regular starter under Slot, but has reams of experience operating at centre-back, as well as his more common defensive midfield role.

With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez the only fit senior centre-back’s at the manager’s disposal – and the latter left on the bench at the weekend with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch deputising for Konate after his injury instead – Endo’s adaptability would have come into its own.

Further updates are still required to know precisely how long Konate and Endo are expected to be out for, but the fact that both are doubts is enough to give Slot a headache.

In FourFourTwo’s view, Endo’s injury may not affect immediate squad selection, but it does greatly reduce the cover Slot has.

Wataru Endo looks on while playing for Liverpool against Bournemouth, 2023

Wataru Endo has been forced to withdraw from international duty with Japan (Image credit: Alamy)

Selecting Gomez to partner Van Dijk seems the obvious choice, but his refusal to send the Englishman on after Konate’s injury raises questions about whether the Reds boss sees that as the answer at the minute.

Spoilt for choice in terms of attacking options this season, Slot may be wishing some more of his summer budget had been diverted to defensive acquisitions.

Endo is valued at €8m, according to Transfermarkt. Liverpool next face Manchester United, when Premier League action returns after the international break.

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