“Rocket” Ronny Rosenthal

Long before Mo Salah, Luis Suarez or Fernando Torres came a striker loved by Liverpool fans.

Mention the name Ronny Rosenthal to any Kopite over 40 and you’ll likely receive a wry smile. In September 1992 at Villa Park, Rosenthal missed what the commentator called the “miss of the season”. With an open goal in front of him the Liverpool striker missed from 12 yards out, in a game that Aston Villa went on to win 4-2.

However, to hang Rosenthal’s cult status amongst Liverpool fans on one, admittedly funny error is both unfair and untrue.

Ronny Rosenthal arrived at Anfield in March 1990 initially on loan from Belgian side, Standard Liège. The Israeli international quickly found his feet. Scoring 7 goals in 8 games including a perfect hat-rick in this debut season as Liverpool won their third league title in five years.

As unpredictable as he was quick, the Liverpool fans loved him. Soon the signing was made permanent with Liverpool paying £1.1 million. In doing so Rosenthal became the first non-UK player to move to an English club for more than £1 million.

The following season he played 16 times in the league, and scored five goals as Liverpool finished second in the league. Facing stiff competition from Ian Rush and Peter Beardsley, Rosenthal was often used as a “super-sub”, racing past tired defenders with mixed outcomes.

What he lacked in finesse he made up with raw speed and that edge of the seat feeling that certain players exude.

Ultimately the arrival of Nigel Clough in the summer of 1993, and the emergence of a certain young Robbie Fowler, left him surplus to requirement.

After 74 games and 21 goals at Liverpool, Rosenthal ended his career with Tottenham Hotspur and Watford.

Ronny…oh Ronny, Ronny
Oh Ronny, Ronny
Oh Ronny, Rosenthal…..Hey!

To the tune of the song Hava Nagila.