Anthony Le Tallec (born October 3, 1984 in Hennebont, Brittany) is a French footballer who currently plays for Le Mans Union Club 72, as a forward or attacking midfielder.

[edit] Football career

Le Tallec was signed from Le Havre AC by Liverpool in 2001, along with his cousin Florent Sinama-Pongolle, by then manager Gérard Houllier. This was after impressive performances for the French national youth team in the European Under-16 and U-17 World Championships. At the latter tournament, he was awarded the 'Silver Ball' as the second best player (behind his cousin), and France emerged champions. Both players remained a further two years at Le Havre, loaned by the Reds. He scored his first and only Liverpool goal in a UEFA Cup tie against NK Olimpija Ljubljana in October 2003.^[1]

After his return, Le Tallec featured in Liverpool's victorious run in the 2004-05 Champions League, starting in the home leg of the quarter final tie against Juventus,^[2] but did not appear in the squad list of 18 in the final.

For the 2005–06 season, he joined Sunderland A.F.C. on loan, in a bid to gain some more first team football. He stated: "I am a competitor and I want to play all the time, but with Liverpool it was impossible. I chose to come to Sunderland because I need to play every week". In a disappointing season for the club, who finished bottom of the table, he was their top scorer with only five goals in all competitions. He scored a header against Fulham FC, helping Sunderland pick up their only home win all season.

In May 2006, Le Tallec completed his loan period and Sunderland announced they would not be looking to retain his services. He returned to Liverpool but was not given a squad number by boss Rafael Benítez. At the end of the month, he joined up with the France U21 for the European Championship, which took place May 23–June 4, 2006 in Portugal. Le Tallec only featured in France's final group match, after they had already secured qualification, and he was substituted after 61 minutes.

In August 2006, Le Tallec moved to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, on another loan deal. He won the 2007 French Cup scoring a late equaliser in the final, which led to Sochaux winning the match on penalties against Olympique de Marseille. Incidentally, a fellow Liverpool player out on loan, Djibril Cissé, scored two goals in the match for the opposition.^[3]

On 31 August 2007, it was reported that Scottish Premier League's Heart of Midlothian F.C. were close to signing Le Tallec.^[4]However, the player ended up moving to Ligue 1 outfit Le Mans Union Club 72, on loan for the entire season, with a view to a permanent deal for approximately £1.1 million pounds.^[5]Following the season, Le Mans decided to make the loan permanent, signing Le Tallec to a four-year deal.^[6]

[edit] Personal life

Le Tallec's younger brother, Damien, is also a footballer. Another former French youth international, he currently plays for Borussia Dortmund.

[edit] Honours

[edit] Club

FC Sochaux

• French Cup: 2006-07

Liverpool FC

• UEFA Champions League: 2004-05

[edit] Country

France

• FIFA U-17 World Championship: 2001

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• L'Équipe stats (French)
• Liverpool profile
• FootballDatabase profile and stats
• ESPN Soccernet profile