Now retired at the age of 38, Anthony Le Tallec is coaching young forwards at FC Annecy, all the while studying for his various licences.
The former striker sat down with En Vert et Contre Tous to have a chat about his current situation, as well as his previous career, which includes his early move to Liverpool.
The Frenchman swapped Le Havre’s U19s with the Anfield side back in 2002, before heading straight back to the now Ligue 2 side on loan.
His time at Liverpool was mostly a series of loans, which includes spells at Saint-Etienne, Sunderland, Sochaux and Le Mans UC 72, where he eventually moved to permanently in 2006.
Le Tallec was a bit of a youth gamble for the Reds, as tends to be the case at that age, and it’s one that didn’t really pay off, as he only ever made 32 appearances for the club, scoring one goal and picking up two assists.
Asked if it was a dream, he said: “Yes, because I wanted to play in England. I had been followed by English clubs for some time, since the age of 13 or 14. It was a dream, I had all these clubs after me since I’d been vice European champions with France’s U16s and World Cup champion (with the U17s). I could choose, and I chose Liverpool.”
Then came the inevitable question of whether the move came too soon for him: “No. I often talk about it. Everyone has their career. For me, I needed to take that train, go there. I have no regrets: I won the Champions League with Liverpool, I played the UEFA Cup as well. I got to know great players…
“Therefore, I have no regrets over that transfer. I would like to know who would turn down a club of that stature. It often makes me laugh when I hear the media say I went abroad too young. That’s how it was, it was my career and I’m proud. I’m proud to have known that club, that level, those players. Today, I’m still invited to Liverpool for legend games, I’m proud of it all.”
