Daniel Agger

Daniel Agger

Agger in 2012
Personal information
Full name Daniel Munthe Agger[1]
Date of birth (1984-12-12) 12 December 1984[2]
Place of birth Hvidovre, Denmark[3]
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[3]
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 Brøndby
Number 22
Youth career
0000–2004 Brøndby
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2004–2006 Brøndby 34 (5)
2006–2014 Liverpool 175 (9)
2014– Brøndby 34 (2)
National team‡
2003–2004 Denmark U20 10 (1)
2004–2006 Denmark U21 10 (3)
2005– Denmark 71 (12)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 March 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2015

Daniel Munthe Agger (Danish: [d̥anjəl ˈɑɡ̊ɐ]; born 12 December 1984) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Danish Superliga club Brøndby IF and captains the Denmark national team. He is the vice-captain of Brøndby. Agger has been described as "a fine reader of the game, comfortable on the ball and blessed with a ferocious shot."[4]

He started his senior career with Brøndby in July 2004, winning the Danish Superliga and the Danish Cup, before moving to Liverpool in January 2006. He made 175 Premier League appearances for the club and won the League Cup and Community Shield. Agger returned to Brøndby for personal reasons in August 2014.

A full international since 2005, Agger has earned over 70 caps and played for Denmark at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.

Club career

Brøndby IF

At Brøndby training, 2005

In July 2004, he was moved from the youth squad to the first team, following the departure of Swedish international defender Andreas Jakobsson. Agger quickly established himself not only as a first team regular, but as one of the key components in the team that won the 2004–05 Danish Superliga championship. After the first half of the season Agger was named 2004 "talent of the year" by Spillerforeningen (the Danish equivalent of the English PFA).

After the successful Superliga 2004–05 season, Agger was called up to the senior Danish national football team for the 1–0 friendly win against Finland on 2 June 2005, playing the full match. Agger spent the next national team match on the bench before playing the full 4–1 friendly win on 17 August 2005 over England alongside Per Nielsen. He played the whole 90 minutes in the next two national team matches, before an injury sustained in the 2005–06 Danish Superliga season in September forced him out for the remainder of 2005. Only 20 years of age, Daniel Agger was awarded the Danish "talent of the year" for all sports on 6 December 2005.

Liverpool

2005–06 season

Agger was long linked to a transfer to a big club, and in the January 2006 transfer window, Agger got his wish and was looking to join Premier League team Liverpool, the defending UEFA Champions League champions of Europe.[5] Daniel Agger did not travel with his Brøndby teammates for their winter training camp in January and on 12 January 2006 he signed a 4½ year contract with Liverpool. The £6,000,000 transfer deal made him the most expensive footballer sold by a Danish club to a foreign club.[6]

During his first half-season at Liverpool, injuries limited Agger to four first-team appearances, and he missed the club's victory in the 2006 FA Cup Final. In May 2006, he played 10 games and scored 3 goals for the Danish under-21 national team, for which he was selected to play in the 2006 European Under-21 Championship tournament.

2006–07 season

Agger in action against Manchester City in April 2007

Agger played the full game as Liverpool won the 2006 FA Community Shield against Chelsea.[7] Still adapting to the English game, he established himself in Liverpool's first team squad, competing with Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher and former Finnish team captain Sami Hyypiä for the two starting places in the central defence. Agger scored his first goal for Liverpool on 26 August 2006 in a 2–1 win against West Ham United. Agger was allowed to run unchallenged toward the Kop-end goal and scored from 35 yards (32 m) out. Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez commented he was not surprised and that Agger has frequently scored such goals in training.[8] The goal was named Goal of the Month for August by the BBC's Match of the Day,[9] and later Liverpool's Premiership Goal of the Season.[10] On 4 October 2006 he was given the PFA's fan award for impressive and solid displays in September.[3]

Agger scored his second goal for the club in a Football League Cup away game against Birmingham City with a volley from close range during the seven minutes of first-half stoppage time. His third was against Arsenal, scoring a header in a 4–1 victory played on 31 March 2007. In the first semi-final of the 2006–07 Champions League, Agger received some criticism as Liverpool lost to Chelsea 1–0, after Chelsea striker Didier Drogba managed to dribble past him before making the assist to win the game.[11] In the second leg of the semi-finals, Agger answered his critics by scoring another curler from a smartly-taken Steven Gerrard free-kick from just outside the penalty area, and helping Liverpool keep a clean sheet as the team beat Chelsea 1–0 on 1 May 2007.[11] He went on to play in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final which Liverpool lost 2–1 to Milan.[12]

2007–08 season

Agger in 2008

Agger started the 2007 pre-season in scoring fashion, scoring two goals in four games, including a left footed-finish against Hong Kong outfit South China. However, he suffered a metatarsal injury in September, again losing his place to Hyypiä. In January 2008, Agger began training and was attempting to regain match fitness, but a recurrence of the injury in his second metatarsal again ruled him out of action. After being examined by several specialists, it was reported on Liverpool's official website that Agger would miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery on his foot.

2008–09 season

Agger returned to full training in the pre-season at Melwood and on 12 July 2008 Agger made his playing return as a substitute in Liverpool's friendly win over neighbours Tranmere Rovers.[13] Agger stated after the match: "I am almost starting my career at Liverpool all over again".[14] Agger was in the starting line up in Liverpool's first game of the season against Standard Liège in the Champions League qualifiers. The game ended 0–0. Agger then found himself sidelined the rest of August and much of September, and was not even included in the squad to face Manchester United. This was followed by rumours of a verbal exchange between Agger and Liverpool manager Benítez. However, Benítez insisted that there was no rift between Agger and himself.[15]

After a month without playing, Agger returned to the starting line up against Crewe Alexandra in the League Cup. Agger played the full 90 minutes and marked his return by scoring the first goal from a free kick outside the box. Liverpool won the game 2–1.[16]

Agger in 2011

Profiting in part from Škrtel's injury, Agger returned to the starting line up against Wigan for his first Premier League match of the season. Agger was, however, at least partly to blame for Wigan taking the lead when he lost the ball to Zaki after a pass from goalkeeper Reina. Agger redeemed himself by setting up Dirk Kuyt for the equaliser. Liverpool eventually won the match 3–2. On 11 April 2009, Agger scored the third goal for Liverpool from 30 yards against Blackburn Rovers. Liverpool went on to win 3–0. Agger celebrated, like the others who had scored in the match, by pointing to the sky in memory of victims in the Hillsborough disaster.[17]

In May 2009, Agger signed a new five-year deal which if fulfilled, will see him remain with Liverpool until at least 2014.

2009–10 season

Agger underwent surgery for a recurring back injury in August 2009 and made his return on 25 October 2009 for the 2–0 win over rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

On 28 February 2010, Daniel Agger played his 100th competitive game for Liverpool, playing in the 2–1 home win against Blackburn Rovers. Agger played another 14 times in 2009–10, including scoring his 7th goal for the club, an outstanding backheel, against Benfica in the UEFA Europa League and also helped Liverpool reach the semi finals of the same competition.

2010–11 season

Agger in 2011

Agger appeared against Arsenal on 15 August 2010, but got concussed in the second half of the game. As a result of the concussion, he missed the next few games. He also had other injury problems which kept him out until December. Martin Škrtel was preferred rather than Agger under Roy Hodgson and he threatened to quit the club with Juventus reportedly interested in him. After departure of Hodgson, he featured in most of the games under Kenny Dalglish, including the match against Chelsea on 6 February 2011, with Liverpool winning 1–0. Agger was ruled out for the remainder of the season following a knee injury sustained in the match against West Brom on Saturday 2 March 2011. At the end of the season, he had only managed 21 appearances for the Reds in all competitions.

2011–12 season

On 1 August 2011, he scored two goals in a pre-season friendly against Vålerenga Fotball, the first a powerful header from a corner, the second a half-volley, also from a corner. Agger returned from injury against Rangers in a friendly match in which Liverpool lost 1–0. On 29 October 2011, Daniel Agger played his 100th Premier League game for Liverpool in a 0–2 win against West Bromwich Albion.[18]

Agger warming up before facing Fulham in December 2011

On 28 January 2012, Agger opened the scoring against Manchester United in the fourth round FA Cup tie, defeating them 2–1. It was his first Liverpool goal since 2010, when he scored in the Europa League tie against Benfica. On 26 February 2012, he helped Liverpool to win their first trophy since 2006 as they won the 2012 Football League Cup Final but injured his ribs during the match.[19] On 7 April 2012, Agger made his return from injury as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa at Anfield, replacing José Enrique and hitting the crossbar with a header late on which led to the equalizer in a 1–1 draw. On 8 May 2012, Agger scored his first Premier League goal of the season in a 4–1 win against Chelsea which was also the last home game of the season for Liverpool.[20]

2012–13 season

Agger made his first start of the league campaign in a 3–0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on 18 August, in which he conceded a penalty and was sent off for a foul on Shane Long. Although the penalty was saved, Liverpool were unable to hold on and slipped to a disappointing defeat.[21] On 5 October, Agger signed a new long term contract with Liverpool.[22][23] On 12 November, Agger was named 2012 Danish Player of the Year for the second time.[24] On 1 December 2012, Agger scored against Southampton at Anfield, with a 43rd-minute header giving Liverpool a 1–0 win.[25] On 30 December, Agger scored a beautiful header against QPR, assisted by a cross from captain Steven Gerrard.[26] Agger made it 3–0 which also was the final score. Agger reached his 200th appearance for Liverpool on 21 February 2013 in a home Europe League tie against Zenit St. Petersburg.[27] With Liverpool trailing 2–0 from the first leg, the Reds recorded a 3–1 win at Anfield, but were eliminated on away goals.

2013–14 season

Agger for Liverpool in 2014

On 9 August 2013, it was confirmed that Agger was to become Liverpool's vice-captain,[28] replacing the retired Jamie Carragher. This came shortly after reports had surfaced that Barcelona had made a bid to sign the Dane.[29] Agger assisted Daniel Sturridge's goal with a flick-on header in the 1–0 victory against Manchester United.[30] Agger did however, see his game time cut short due to Mamadou Sakho being preferred in the same role.[31] On 1 January 2014, Agger scored his first goal of the season, meeting a Philippe Coutinho corner with his head in a 2-0 win over Hull. During much of 2014, Agger was left out of the team, with Sakho partnering Skrtel in defence. Agger was restored to the starting line up on 11 May 2014 in Liverpool's end-of-season match at home to Newcastle. With the Reds trailing 1-0, Agger scored the equaliser by meeting a Steven Gerrard free kick at the back post.

Return to Brøndby

On 30 August 2014, Liverpool confirmed that Agger had rejoined his previous club Brøndby IF on a two-year deal, which involved a considerable pay cut, for a fee of £3 million.[32]

Personal life

Agger selected Volbeat's The Garden's Tale as his choice for the "LFC Athens 2007 Playlist" in the buildup of Liverpool's brief 2007 UEFA Champions League Final appearance.[33]

In May 2010, Agger married girlfriend Sofie Nelson in Denmark. The couple wore matching white outfits for the wedding, which was followed by a reception at the Nimb Hotel in Copenhagen.[34] They have two sons.

In September 2014, Agger donated 20,000 kroner, about £2100, to the Danish homeless national football side to help pay for travel expenses so the team could make it to the Homeless World Cup in Chile.[35]

The Agger Foundation

Agger founded The Agger Foundation in 2012 aiming to help children in need.[36] In May 2013 The Agger Foundation launched their new website.

Tattoos

Daniel Agger has "YNWA" tattoed on his knuckles.

Outside of football, Agger is a qualified tattoo artist.[37] He has numerous tattoos including a Viking on his upper right arm, a large drawing of Vikings and a graveyard that spans his whole back,[38] which includes his birth date and the Latin motto "Mors certa, hora incerta" ("death is certain, its hour is uncertain"), forming a memento mori.[39] He also features an intricate band around his left elbow which includes the phrase "Succes er at leve som man selv vil" ("Success is to live as you want" in Danish). In August 2012, during a period of intense speculation regarding his future at the club, Agger had the letters "YNWA" tattooed on the fingers of his right hand, referencing the anthem of Liverpool F.C., "You'll Never Walk Alone".[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 6 December 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brøndby 2004–05[41] Danish Superliga 265 — 265
2005–06[41] Danish Superliga 80 — 80
Total 345 — 345
Liverpool 2005–06[42] Premier League 4000———40
2006–07[43] Premier League 272102112[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 2]0434
2007–08[44] Premier League 5000001[lower-alpha 1]0—60
2008–09[45] Premier League 18110215[lower-alpha 1]0—262
2009–10[46] Premier League 230100012[lower-alpha 3]1—361
2010–11[47] Premier League 16010103[lower-alpha 4]0—210
2011–12[48] Premier League 2713140——342
2012–13[49] Premier League 35300004[lower-alpha 4]0—393
2013–14[50] Premier League 2022010——232
Total 1759911023721023214
Brøndby 2014–15[51] Danish Superliga 19100———191
2015–16 Danish Superliga 13100—10—141
Career total 24116911023821029921
  1. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. ↑ Appearance in FA Community Shield
  3. ↑ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  4. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 11 October 2015.[41]
International statistics
National team Year Apps Goals
Denmark 2005 4 1
2006 6 0
2007 8 1
2008 5 1
2009 6 0
2010 9 0
2011 6 2
2012 9 1
2013 8 4
2014 5 2
2015 5 0
Total 71 12

Honours

Brøndby

Liverpool

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. 1 2 3 "Agger official profile". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 2011-07-08.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Jonathan. "Euro 2012: Denmark". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Bascombe, Chris. Anfield bound Agger jets in. Liverpool Echo (11 January 2006). Retrieved on 2008-12-19.
  6. ↑ (Danish) Jens Gjesse Hansen, Daniel Agger skifter til Liverpool. Danmarks Radio (11 January 2006). Retrieved on 2008-12-19.
  7. ↑ "Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Hunter, Steve (26 August 2006). Rafa full of praise for Agger. Liverpool F.C.. Retrieved on 2008-12-19.
  9. ↑ Goal of the month: August. BBC Sport (11 September 2006). Retrieved on 2008-12-19.
  10. ↑ Hunter, Steve (15 June 2007). Agger Scoops LFC Goal Of The Season. Liverpool F.C.. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  11. 1 2 Smith, Alan (23 May 2007). Agger shows bottle to leave Drogba thirsty. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-12-19
  12. ↑ McNulty, Phil (23 May 2007). "AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Rice, Jimmy (3 July 2008). "Rafa: Agger loss cost us title shot". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  14. ↑ Rice, Jimmy (13 July 2008). "Agger: It Feels Like A New Start". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  15. ↑ "Benitez plans Agger offer". Sky Sports. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  16. ↑ Hunter, Andy (24 September 2008). "Pope's fallibility spares 'best ever' Benítez an Anfield inquisition". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  17. ↑ Burton, Chris (18 October 2008). "Kuyt inspires Reds revival". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  18. ↑ "Daniel Agger targets extended run in Liverpool side after making 100th Premier League appearance against West Brom". Goal.com. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "Daniel Agger out for 'a few weeks' with rib injury - Kenny Dalglish". BBC Sport. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  20. ↑ "Liverpool exact final revenge thanks to Chelsea errors". The Guardian. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  21. ↑ "West Brom give new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers nightmare start". Guardian UK. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  22. ↑ Carroll, James (5 October 2012). "Agger delight at new contract". Liverpool F.C.. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  23. ↑ "Daniel Agger signs new long-term contract with Liverpool". Guardian UK. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  24. ↑ "Liverpool's Daniel Agger Named Denmark's Player of the Year". Inside Futbol. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  25. ↑ "Liverpool's Daniel Agger heads Reds past Southampton". The Guardian. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Luis Suárez scores twice as Liverpool inflict more misery on QPR". The Guardian. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Agger: 200 and counting (VIDEO)". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  28. ↑ Pearce, James (9 August 2013). "Agger appointed as new Liverpool FC vice-captain". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  29. ↑ Edwards, John (8 August 2013). "Barca make £17m bid for Liverpool defender Agger after Chelsea blocked Luiz's move". Daily Mail. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Liverpool 1 - 0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 1 September 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  31. ↑ Gheerbrant, James. "West Ham v Liverpool team news: Mamadou Sakho replaces Daniel Agger as Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge both start". Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  32. ↑ Smith, Ben (30 August 2014). "Daniel Agger: Liverpool defender returns to Danish club Brondby". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  33. ↑ Rogers, Paul (21 May 2007). "A-Kop-olis Now: LFC.TV's Athens diary". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  34. ↑ Jones, Laura (18 May 2010). "Liverpool FC's Daniel Agger weds girlfriend Sophie in Denmark as Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner watches on". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  35. ↑ "Daniel Agger pays for homeless team to reach World Cup". ESPNFC. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  36. ↑ "Agger Foundation launches website". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  37. ↑ "Liverpool's big tattoo artist to United's smash hit – what footy stars get up to". Metro.co.uk. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  38. ↑ qui, 10/02/11 (18 October 2006). "Brasil Mundial FC » Cemitério nas costas » Arquivo". Globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  39. ↑ "Daniel Agger shows off latest tattoo after Carling Cup win". Dailymail.co.uk. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  40. ↑ Smith, Ben (9 August 2012). "Liverpool 3–0 Gomel". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
  41. 1 2 3 "Agger, Daniel". National Football Teams. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  42. ↑ "List of appearances in 2005–2006 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  43. ↑ "List of appearances in 2006–2007 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  44. ↑ "List of appearances in 2007–2008 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "List of appearances in 2008–2009 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  46. ↑ "List of appearances in 2009–2010 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  47. ↑ "List of appearances in 2010–2011 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "List of appearances in 2011–2012 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  49. ↑ "List of appearances in 2012–2013 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  50. ↑ "List of appearances in 2013–2014 by Daniel Agger". LFCHistory.net. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  51. ↑ "D.Agger". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 June 2015.

External links

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Sporting positions
Preceded by
Christian Poulsen		 Denmark captain
2012–present 		Incumbent
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