Jari Litmanen

Date of birth20 February 1971
Place of birthLahti
NationalityFinnish
Weight81 kg
Height1.83 m
PositionForward

Finland's finest football export, Jari was languishing in Barcelona's second team when Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier signed him up.

He made his debut as a substitute in the Worthington Cup Semi-Final first leg match against Crystal Palace and almost immediately made a decisive impact.

With the Reds trailing 2-0, he set up Vladimir Smicer for a goal to reduce the deficit and pave the way for a crushing 5-0 second leg victory in which he also starred.

His first goal for Liverpool was a penalty at Sunderland in February to square the match at 1-1 and he scored another spot kick in the FA Cup Fifth Round victory over Manchester City.

Sadly he missed the next four matches with a calf injury and, then after returning to the team in March, his season was ended prematurely by a broken wrist incurred while playing for Finland against England at Anfield.

Jari was outstanding on that occasion and only a wonderful save by David Seaman kept out his last minute header that might have salvaged a draw for his country.

Although, he missed the exciting climax to Liverpool's season he did enough to show that he could be a key figure.

Playing in the 'hole' behind the front two, he added a new dimension to the team's attacking play, providing some much needed variety and attacking options.

Jari joined Fulham in January 2008 with a contract to June 2008.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Reipas Lahti 01 Jan 1987 01 Jan 1990
HJK Helsinki 01 Jan 1990 01 Jan 1991
MyPa-47 01 Jan 1991 01 Jul 1992
Ajax 01 Jul 1992 01 Jul 1999
Barcelona 01 Jul 1999 04 Jan 2001
Liverpool 04 Jan 2001 30 Aug 2002
Ajax 30 Aug 2002 01 Jan 2004
FC Lahti 01 Jan 2004 01 Jul 2004
Hansa Rostock 01 Jul 2004 01 Jul 2005
Malmo FF 01 Jul 2005 31 Jan 2008
Fulham 31 Jan 2008 30 Jun 2008

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1999-00 Barcelona UEFA Champions League
2
2000-01 Liverpool FA Cup 1
1
1
2000-01 Liverpool League Cup 1
1
2000-01 Liverpool Premier League 4
1
1
1
2000-01 Liverpool UEFA Cup
2
2001-02 Liverpool FA Cup
1
2001-02 Liverpool League Cup 1
2001-02 Liverpool Premier League 8
13
4
2001-02 Liverpool UEFA Champions League 4
5
3
2002-03 Ajax UEFA Champions League 3
3
2
2003-04 Ajax UEFA Champions League
2
2004-05 Hansa Rostock Bundesliga 13
1
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
29 Sep 1999 Barcelona v Arsenal D 1-1 UEFA Champions League Group B
05 Apr 2000 Chelsea v Barcelona L 3-1 UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 1st leg


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1987-88 Finland Inter Tournament 1
1
1988-89 Finland International Tournament Four Nations 1
1
1988-89 Finland UEFA Under-21 1
1
1989-90 Finland International Friendly 2
2
1989-90 Finland Liam Brady Testimonial 1
1989-90 Finland UEFA Under-21 1
1990-91 Finland International Friendly 3
1990-91 Finland UEFA European Championship 5
1
1990-91 Finland UEFA Under-21 1
1
1991-92 Finland FIFA World Cup 1
1991-92 Finland International Friendly 3
1
1991-92 Finland UEFA European Championship 2
1
1992-93 Finland FIFA World Cup 5
1992-93 Finland International Friendly 3
1993-94 Finland FIFA World Cup 4
1
1993-94 Finland International Friendly 2
1994-95 Finland UEFA European Championship 7
4
1995-96 Finland International Friendly 2
1
1995-96 Finland UEFA European Championship 1
1996-97 Finland FIFA World Cup 3
2
1996-97 Finland International Friendly 1
1
1997-98 Finland FIFA World Cup 3
1
1997-98 Finland International Friendly 2
1998-99 Finland International Friendly 1
1998-99 Finland UEFA European Championship 4
1
1
1999-00 Finland International Friendly 3
1999-00 Finland UEFA European Championship 1
2000-01 Finland FIFA World Cup 5
1
2000-01 Finland International Friendly 2
2
2001-02 Finland FIFA World Cup 3
1
2001-02 Finland International Friendly 4
1
2002-03 Finland International Friendly 2
1
2002-03 Finland UEFA European Championship 5
2003-04 Finland International Friendly 2
1
2
2004-05 Finland Cyprus Tournament 1
2004-05 Finland FIFA World Cup 5
1
2004-05 Finland International Friendly 4
2005-06 Finland Cyprus International Tournament 1
2005-06 Finland FIFA World Cup
1
2005-06 Finland International Friendly 1
2005-06 Finland LG Cup 2
2006-07 Finland UEFA European Championship 5
1
3
1
2007-08 Finland Cyprus International Tournament 1
1
2007-08 Finland International Friendly 2
1
1
2007-08 Finland UEFA European Championship 1
1
2008-09 Finland FIFA World Cup 3
2
2008-09 Finland International Friendly 3
2
2009-10 Finland FIFA World Cup 3
1
1
2009-10 Finland International Friendly 5
2010-11 Finland International Friendly
1
2010-11 Finland UEFA European Championship 1
2
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
14 Jul 1987 Denmark v Finland W 0-3 Inter Tourn
16 Jul 1988 Finland v Denmark W 3-0 INTER TOURN 4 NATIONS
30 Aug 1988 Finland v West Germany L 0-3 UEFA U21 Group 4
28 Sep 1988 Finland v Iceland W 2-1 UEFA U21 Group 4
22 Oct 1989 Trinidad and Tobago v Finland W 0-1 International Friendly
25 Oct 1989 Trinidad and Tobago v Finland L 2-0 International Friendly
14 Nov 1989 Netherlands v Finland L 2-1 UEFA U21 Group 4
10 Mar 1990 USA v Finland L 2-1 International Friendly
16 May 1990 Republic of Ireland v Finland D 1-1 Liam Brady Testimonial
27 May 1990 Sweden v Finland L 6-0 International Friendly
29 Aug 1990 Finland v Czechoslovakia D 1-1 International Friendly
12 Sep 1990 Finland v Portugal D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 6
11 Nov 1990 Tunisia v Finland W 1-2 International Friendly
25 Nov 1990 Malta v Finland D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group 6
13 Mar 1991 Poland v Finland D 1-1 International Friendly
17 Apr 1991 Netherlands v Finland L 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 6
16 May 1991 Finland v Malta W 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 6
05 Jun 1991 Finland v Netherlands D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group 6
26 Jun 1991 Finland v Malta W 3-1 UEFA U21 Group
11 Sep 1991 Portugal v Finland L 1-0 UEFA European Championship Group 6
09 Oct 1991 Finland v Greece D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group 6
30 Oct 1991 Greece v Finland L 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 6
25 Mar 1992 Scotland v Finland D 1-1 International Friendly
15 Apr 1992 Brazil v Finland L 3-1 International Friendly
14 May 1992 Finland v Bulgaria L 0-3 FIFA World Cup Group 6
03 Jun 1992 Finland v England L 1-2 International Friendly
26 Aug 1992 Finland v Poland D 0-0 International Friendly
09 Sep 1992 Finland v Sweden L 0-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
07 Nov 1992 Tunisia v Finland D 1-1 International Friendly
14 Nov 1992 France v Finland L 2-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
13 Apr 1993 Poland v Finland L 2-1 International Friendly
28 Apr 1993 Bulgaria v Finland L 2-0 FIFA World Cup Group 6
13 May 1993 Finland v Austria W 3-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
16 Jun 1993 Finland v Israel D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Group 6
25 Aug 1993 Austria v Finland L 3-0 FIFA World Cup Group 6
08 Sep 1993 Finland v France L 0-2 FIFA World Cup Group 6
13 Oct 1993 Sweden v Finland L 3-2 FIFA World Cup Group 6
10 Nov 1993 Israel v Finland W 1-3 FIFA World Cup Group 6
27 May 1994 Italy v Finland L 2-0 International Friendly
02 Jun 1994 Finland v Spain L 1-2 International Friendly
07 Sep 1994 Finland v Scotland L 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 8
12 Oct 1994 Greece v Finland L 4-0 UEFA European Championship Group 8
16 Nov 1994 Finland v Faroe Islands W 5-0 UEFA European Championship Group 8
14 Dec 1994 Finland v San Marino W 4-1 UEFA European Championship Group 8
29 Mar 1995 San Marino v Finland W 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 8
26 Apr 1995 Faroe Islands v Finland W 0-4 UEFA European Championship Group 8
11 Jun 1995 Finland v Greece W 2-1 UEFA European Championship Group 8
06 Sep 1995 Scotland v Finland L 1-0 UEFA European Championship Group 8
29 May 1996 France v Finland L 2-0 International Friendly
02 Jun 1996 Finland v Turkey W 2-1 International Friendly
12 Feb 1997 Turkey v Finland D 1-1 International Friendly
02 Apr 1997 Azerbaijan v Finland W 1-2 FIFA World Cup Group 3
30 Apr 1997 Norway v Finland D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 3
08 Jun 1997 Finland v Azerbaijan W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Group 3
20 Aug 1997 Finland v Norway L 0-4 FIFA World Cup Group 3
06 Sep 1997 Switzerland v Finland W 1-2 FIFA World Cup Group 3
11 Oct 1997 Finland v Hungary D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 3
22 Apr 1998 Scotland v Finland D 1-1 International Friendly
27 May 1998 Finland v Germany D 0-0 International Friendly
19 Aug 1998 Slovakia v Finland D 0-0 International Friendly
05 Sep 1998 Finland v Moldova W 3-2 UEFA European Championship Group 3
10 Oct 1998 Northern Ireland v Finland L 1-0 UEFA European Championship Group 3
14 Oct 1998 Turkey v Finland W 1-3 UEFA European Championship Group 3
31 Mar 1999 Germany v Finland L 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 3
05 Jun 1999 Finland v Turkey L 2-4 UEFA European Championship Group 3
09 Oct 1999 Finland v Northern Ireland W 4-1 UEFA European Championship Group 3
29 Mar 2000 Wales v Finland W 1-2 International Friendly
26 Apr 2000 Poland v Finland D 0-0 International Friendly
03 Jun 2000 Latvia v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
16 Aug 2000 Finland v Norway W 3-1 International Friendly
02 Sep 2000 Finland v Albania W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
07 Oct 2000 Greece v Finland L 1-0 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
11 Oct 2000 Finland v England D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
15 Nov 2000 Republic of Ireland v Finland L 3-0 International Friendly
24 Mar 2001 England v Finland L 2-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
02 Jun 2001 Finland v Germany D 2-2 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
15 Aug 2001 Finland v Belgium W 4-1 International Friendly
01 Sep 2001 Albania v Finland W 0-2 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
05 Sep 2001 Finland v Greece W 5-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
06 Oct 2001 Germany v Finland D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Europe group 9
27 Mar 2002 Portugal v Finland W 1-4 International Friendly
17 Apr 2002 North Macedonia v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
22 May 2002 Finland v Latvia W 2-1 International Friendly
21 Aug 2002 Finland v Republic of Ireland L 0-3 International Friendly
07 Sep 2002 Finland v Wales L 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 9
12 Oct 2002 Finland v Azerbaijan W 3-0 UEFA European Championship Group 9
16 Oct 2002 Serbia and Montenegro v Finland L 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group 9
30 Apr 2003 Finland v Iceland W 3-0 International Friendly
07 Jun 2003 Finland v Serbia and Montenegro W 3-0 UEFA European Championship Group 9
11 Jun 2003 Finland v Italy L 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 9
31 Mar 2004 Malta v Finland W 1-2 International Friendly
28 Apr 2004 Bosnia and Herzegovina v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
28 May 2004 Finland v Sweden L 1-3 International Friendly
18 Aug 2004 Romania v Finland L 2-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 1
04 Sep 2004 Finland v Andorra W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Europe group 1
08 Sep 2004 Armenia v Finland W 0-2 FIFA World Cup Europe group 1
17 Nov 2004 Italy v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
01 Dec 2004 Bahrain v Finland W 1-2 International Friendly
03 Dec 2004 Finland v Oman L 0-0 (3-4) International Friendly
08 Feb 2005 Finland v Latvia W 2-1 Cyprus Tournament Semi-final
26 Mar 2005 Czech Republic v Finland L 4-3 FIFA World Cup Europe group 1
02 Jun 2005 Finland v Denmark L 0-1 International Friendly
08 Jun 2005 Finland v Netherlands L 0-4 FIFA World Cup Europe group 1
17 Aug 2005 North Macedonia v Finland W 0-3 FIFA World Cup Europe group 1
21 Jan 2006 Saudi Arabia v Finland D 1-1 LG CUP
25 Jan 2006 Finland v Korea Republic L 0-1 LG CUP
01 Mar 2006 Finland v Belarus D 2-2 CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
25 May 2006 Sweden v Finland D 0-0 International Friendly
02 Sep 2006 Poland v Finland W 1-3 UEFA European Championship Group A
06 Sep 2006 Finland v Portugal D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group A
07 Oct 2006 Armenia v Finland D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group A
11 Oct 2006 Kazakhstan v Finland W 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group A
28 Mar 2007 Azerbaijan v Finland L 1-0 UEFA European Championship Group A
02 Jun 2007 Finland v Serbia L 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group A
17 Nov 2007 Finland v Azerbaijan W 2-1 UEFA European Championship Group A
21 Nov 2007 Portugal v Finland D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group A
06 Feb 2008 Greece v Finland L 2-1 Cyprus International Tournament
26 Mar 2008 Bulgaria v Finland L 2-1 International Friendly
29 May 2008 Finland v Turkey L 0-2 International Friendly
02 Jun 2008 Finland v Belarus D 1-1 International Friendly
20 Aug 2008 Finland v Israel W 2-0 International Friendly
11 Oct 2008 Finland v Azerbaijan W 1-0 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
15 Oct 2008 Russia v Finland L 3-0 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
19 Nov 2008 Switzerland v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
04 Feb 2009 Japan v Finland L 5-1 International Friendly
11 Feb 2009 Portugal v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
28 Mar 2009 Wales v Finland W 0-2 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
01 Apr 2009 Norway v Finland L 3-2 International Friendly
06 Jun 2009 Finland v Liechtenstein W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
10 Jun 2009 Finland v Russia L 0-3 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
12 Aug 2009 Sweden v Finland L 1-0 International Friendly
05 Sep 2009 Azerbaijan v Finland W 1-2 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
09 Sep 2009 Liechtenstein v Finland D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
10 Oct 2009 Finland v Wales W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
14 Oct 2009 Germany v Finland D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Europe group 4
18 Jan 2010 Finland v Korea Republic L 0-2 International Friendly
03 Mar 2010 Malta v Finland W 1-2 International Friendly
21 May 2010 Estonia v Finland L 2-0 International Friendly
29 May 2010 Poland v Finland D 0-0 International Friendly
11 Aug 2010 Finland v Belgium W 1-0 International Friendly
03 Sep 2010 Moldova v Finland L 2-0 UEFA European Championship Group E
12 Oct 2010 Finland v Hungary L 1-2 UEFA European Championship Group E
17 Nov 2010 Finland v San Marino W 8-0 UEFA European Championship Group E


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.