Nikos Liberopoulos

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography

Nikolaos "Nikos" Liberopoulos (Template:Langx; born on 4 August 1975) is a retired Greek former professional international footballer who played as a forward. He is famous for his aim-to-goal shot, his innate in-play instincts, and his technical attacking skills. Liberopoulos is a unique player in Greek domestic football, as he is equally adored by fans of both AEK Athens and Panathinaikos. He is the only player to be recorded in the top ten scorers of all time for both these teams. Indeed, after seven seasons at Panathinaikos Liberopoulos scored 103 goals. On 10 May 2012, he reached a milestone 100 goals for AEK Athens after a brace against Atromitos, making him the only player in history to score a hundred goals for both Athens clubs (NOTE: this contradicts the tabulated data below, which gives 101 goals for AEK Athens and 87 goals for Panathinaikos. The latter is also in disagreement with data on the Elite Football website: 92 goals at AEK Athens and 76 goals at Panathinaikos[1]). On 8 September 2017, he became the Technical Director of AEK.[2]

Club career

Early years

Liberopoulos started his career football career at the local Erani Filiatra, he then moved to Kalamata in 1994. After an impressive debut season in Greece's top division, AEK Athens and Olympiacos tried to sign him during the summer of 1996 yet Panathinaikos managed to snap him up.

Panathinaikos

In summer 1996, he signed for Panathinaikos. With them he reached the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League. Italian clubs, mainly Juventus and Hellas Verona showed interest in hiring him, but his loyalty to Panathinaikos kept him in Athens. In 2003, Liberopoulos clashed with Panathinaikos' board which eventually led to him leaving the club. While at Panathinaikos he would deliberately misplace passes to his colleague Marco Villa because he saw him as more of a threat than a teammate.

AEK Athens

Following his departure from Panathinaikos he was ready to join Sochaux, but he finally chose AEK Athens where he became a formidable offensive player and inspirational leader. He went to score several times against his former team but never celebrated earning the fans' applause and a standing ovation for his action. He helped AEK Athens scoring 79 times in his 195 appearances and earning a top scorer award during the 2006–07 season. His most important goals originated from two long range shots, one in a 1–0 win against Lille and another in a 4–0 with against Olympiacos. During June 2007, Liberopoulos was offered a lucrative contract with 1. FC Nürnberg worth 4 million euros, which he declined to remain with AEK Athens. Club president, Demis Nikolaidis had publicly announced his intent to retain Liberopoulos at all costs in an effort to bolster AEK Athens' chances at achieving dominance in the Greek Super League. On 7 July 2008, Liberopoulos was released by AEK.[3] German team Eintracht Frankfurt announced his signing on 13 July 2008.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Liberopoulos signed a two-year deal and received the number 10 shirt. He made his Bundesliga debut for Eintracht Frankfurt, playing the full 90 minutes against Hertha BSC on 17 August 2008 at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt. Liberopoulos scored his first goal against Mainz 05. He won 55 caps scoring 13 goals in all competitions.

Return to AEK Athens

Liberopoulos again signed for AEK Athens in the summer of 2010 and put in an impressive display in AEK's 5–3 win against Australian A-League club Sydney FC on 25 July 2010, scoring one goal and setting up two others. Liberopoulos also scored against Blackburn three days later. He made his league debut against Kerkyra and scored his first official goal in a UEFA Europa League match against Hajduk Split. On 19 January 2010, in a Greek Cup match against Panathinaikos he scored two goals leading his team to victory. Liberopoulos was applauded during his substitution later in that game by some of Panathinaikos' fans despite their team's defeat. After the match Liberopoulos said "I have spent seven nice years in Panathinaikos in which I matured as a player. I keep only the positive things, but now for me AEK is my family and I will do everything for the team." and about the Panathinaikos' fans ovation "It means a lot to me. It's a great feeling to be applauded during your substitution. There were some hoots also but even if the whole stadium was hooting at me that would not have changed what I have said earlier about my feelings for Panathinaikos".[4] On 30 May 2011, Liberopulos won his first trophy in his career with AEK winning the Greek Cup 2010–11 against Atromitos 3–0 while also scoring the first goal and was awarded MVP of the match.

On 16 June 2011, Liberopoulos signed a new one-year deal keeping him at the club until 2012.[5] Also, his teammate Traianos Dellas decided to stay for one year at AEK, in order to stop his professional career with his best friend, Liberopoulos.

On 20 May 2012, he played his last match with AEK against Panathinaikos. A lot of Panathinaikos and AEK fans respected him with a standing ovation when he was exiting the stadium.

International career

Liberopoulos played for Greece U21 from 1996 to 1998, where in 23 he scored 15 becoming their top scorer. He was also a key member of the team that took part in the final of the European Championship in 1998, where they lost to Spain.[6]

In 1997 he was called to the military team, where he won the World Military Cup of the same year, scoring in the final against Italy.[7]

Liberopoulos appeared 76 times in total for Greece scoring 13 goals in the process. His most notable performance in the Euro 2008 qualifiers to date was a last-second goal five minutes into stoppage time to grant Greece a 2–1 victory over Moldova on 6 June 2007, which placed Greece at the top of their qualifying division. Liberopoulos has been known on the international scene as a "super sub", coming off the bench many times in the final quarter of games and scoring the decisive goal.

He was a member of the 23-man squad formed by coach Otto Rehhagel for UEFA Euro 2008.

On 11 September 2009, Liberopoulos announced his retirement from international football,[8] But he returned to the national squad about a year later when he was recalled by the new coach Fernando Santos.

He was also called for UEFA Euro 2012 by the coach Fernando Santos. Liberopoulos announced his retirement from international football after Greece lost to German 4–2 in the Euro 2012 quarter finals on 22 June 2012.[9]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Erani Filiatra 1991–94 Delta Ethniki 53 33 0 0 – – 53 33
Kalamata 1991–94 Beta Ethniki 21 5 2 0 0 0 – 23 5
1994–95 27 4 4 2 0 0 – 31 6
1995–96 Alpha Ethniki 30 11 4 2 0 0 – 34 13
Total 78 20 10 4 0 0 0 0 88 24
Panathinaikos 1996–97 Alpha Ethniki 32 7 6 2 3 2 – 38 9
1997–98 27 2 4 1 0 0 – 31 3
1998–99 31 13 5 2 8 3 – 36 15
1999–00 26 23 4 3 5 1 – 30 26
2000–01 26 11 6 3 14 1 – 39 14
2001–02 17 0 3 1 10 2 – 28 2
2002–03 27 16 4 2 8 2 – 32 18
Total 186 72 32 14 48 11 0 0 266 97
AEK Athens 2003–04 Alpha Ethniki 27 13 7 3 6 1 – 40 17
2004–05 28 9 9 3 6 1 – 43 13
2005–06 27 14 5 2 2 0 – 34 16
2006–07 Super League 29 18 1 0 9 2 – 39 20
2007–08 30 13 1 0 8 0 – 39 13
Total 141 67 23 8 31 4 0 0 195 79
Eintracht Frankfurt 2008–09[10] Bundesliga 29 9 2 1 0 0 – 31 10
2009–10[10] 21 1 3 2 0 0 – 24 3
Total 50 10 5 3 0 0 0 0 55 13
AEK Athens 2010–11[10][11] Super League 22 7 6 3 5 2 1 0 34 12
2011–12[10][11] 24 7 1 0 4 0 6 3 35 10
Total 46 14 7 3 9 2 7 3 69 22
Career total 554 216 77 32 88 17 7 3 726 268

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[12]
National team Year Apps Goals
Greece 1996 3 0
1997 0 0
1998 3 1
1999 14 4
2000 9 2
2001 7 1
2002 2 0
2003 1 0
2004 0 0
2005 4 1
2006 5 1
2007 7 2
2008 10 1
2009 2 0
2010 0 0
2011 7 0
2012 2 0
Total 76 13
Scores and results list Greece's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Liberopoulos goal.
List of international goals scored by Nikos Liberopoulos
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 14 October 1998 Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Athens, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = Georgia (country) shortname alias = Georgia flag alias = Flag of Georgia.svg flag alias-1008 = Sakartvelo_-_drosha.svg flag alias-1762 = Flag_of_Kingdom_of_Kartli-Kakheti.svg flag alias-1918 = Flag of Georgia (1918–1921).svg flag alias-1921 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1921–1922).svg flag alias-1922 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1922–1937).svg flag alias-1937 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1937–1951).svg flag alias-1951 = Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg flag alias-1990 = Flag of Georgia (1990–2004).svg flag alias-naval-1997 = Naval ensign of Georgia (1997–2004).svg link alias-naval-1997 = Georgian Navy flag alias-army = Army Flag of Georgia.svg link alias-army = Georgian Land Forces flag alias-coast guard=Battle ensign of the Coast Guard of Georgia.svg link alias-coast guard=Coast Guard of Georgia flag alias-military = Flag of the Georgian Armed Forces.svg link alias-military = Georgian Armed Forces flag alias-navy=Flag of the Georgian Border Police.svg link alias-navy=Border Police of Georgia flag alias-air force=Flag of the Aviation and Air Defense Command of the Defense Forces of Georgia.png link alias-air force=Georgian Air Force flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Georgia.svg link alias-naval = Georgian Navy empty = Georgia XV national rugby union team size = name = altlink = national football team altvar = football variant =

}}

2–0 3–0 2000 UEQ
2 18 August 1999 Anthi Karagianni Stadium, Kavala, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = El Salvador flag alias = Flag of El Salvador.svg flag alias-1822 = Flag of El Salvador (1822–1865).svg flag alias-1823 = Flag of the United Provinces of Central America.svg flag alias-1824 = Flag of the Federal Republic of Central America.svg flag alias-1839 = Flag of El Salvador (1822–1865).svg flag alias-1865a = Flag of El Salvador (April 1865).svg flag alias-1865b = Flag of El Salvador (June 1865).svg flag alias-1869 = Flag of El Salvador (1869-1873).svg flag alias-1873 = Flag of El Salvador (1873-1875).svg flag alias-1875 = Flag of El Salvador (1875-1877).svg flag alias-1898 = Flag of the Greater Republic of Central America (1898).svg flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of El Salvador.svg flag alias-army = Flag of the Salvadoran Army.svg link alias-army = Salvadoran Army flag alias-navy = Flag of the Navy of El Salvador.svg link alias-navy = Navy of El Salvador flag alias-naval = Flag of the Navy of El Salvador.svg link alias-naval = Navy of El Salvador flag alias-air force = Flag of the Salvadoran Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Salvadoran Air Force flag alias-military = Flag of the Armed Forces of El Salvador.svg link alias-military = Armed Forces of El Salvador size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–0 3–1 Friendly
3 1–0
4 3–0
5 18 December 1999 Trikala Municipal Stadium, Trikala, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = Estonia flag alias = Flag of Estonia.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Estonia.svg link alias-naval = Estonian Navy flag alias-army=Flag of Estonian Land Forces.svg link alias-army=Estonian Land Forces flag alias-air force =Flag of the Estonia Air Force.png link alias-air force = Estonian Air Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Estonia.svg link alias-navy = Estonian Navy border-naval = size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

2–2 2–2 Friendly
6 3 June 2000 Stadionul Steaua (1974), Bucharest, Romania {{ Template:Yesno alias = Romania flag alias = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-1859 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948-1952).svg flag alias-1952 = Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg flag alias-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg flag alias-naval = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-naval-1860 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-naval-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-naval-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-naval-1922 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1922–1947).svg flag alias-naval-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-naval-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-naval-1950 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1950–1952).svg flag alias-naval-1952 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1952–1965).svg flag alias-naval-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965–1989).svg link alias-naval = Romanian Naval Forces flag alias-air force = Flag of the Romanian Air Force (obverse).svg flag alias-air force-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-air force-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-air force-1950 = Flag of Air Force of Romania (1950-1952, obverse).svg flag alias-air force-1952 = Flag of Air Force of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg flag alias-air force-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965–1989).svg link alias-air force = Romanian Air Force flag alias-army = Flag of the Romanian Land Forces (Obverse).svg flag alias-army-1859 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-army-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-army-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-army-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-army-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-army-1950 = Battle flag of Romania (1950-1952, obverse).svg flag alias-army-1952 = Battle flag of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg flag alias-army-1965 = Battle flag of Romania (1966-1989, obverse).svg link alias-army = Romanian Land Forces flag alias-navy = Flag of the Romanian Naval Forces (Obverse).svg flag alias-navy-1860 = Flag of the United Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (1859 - 1862).svg flag alias-navy-1862 = Flag of the United Principalities of Romania (1862–1866).svg flag alias-navy-1866 = Flag of Romania.svg flag alias-navy-1922 = Naval Ensign of Romania (1922–1947).svg flag alias-navy-1947 = Flag of Romania (January-March 1948).svg flag alias-navy-1948 = Flag of Romania (1948–1952).svg flag alias-navy-1950 = Flag of Naval Force of Romania (1950-1951, obverse).svg flag alias-navy-1952 = Flag of terrestrial units of the Naval Force of Romania (1952-1965, obverse).svg flag alias-navy-1965 = Flag of Romania (1965–1989).svg link alias-navy = Romanian Naval Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–2 1–2 Friendly
7 7 October 2000 Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Athens, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = Finland flag alias = Flag of Finland.svg flag alias-grand duchy = Flag of Russia.svg flag alias-1809 = Flag of Russia.svg flag alias-1917 = Flag of Finland 1918 (state).svg flag alias-1918 = Flag of Finland (1918-1920).svg flag alias-1920 = Flag of Finland.svg flag alias-state = Flag of Finland (state).svg flag alias-state-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (State).svg flag alias-state-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (State).svg flag alias-naval = Military Flag of Finland.svg border-naval = flag alias-naval-1918 = Flag of Finland 1918-1920 (Military).svg border-naval-1918 = flag alias-naval-1920 = Flag of Finland 1920-1978 (Military).svg border-naval-1920 = link alias-naval = Finnish Navy flag alias-navy = Naval Jack of Finland.svg link alias-navy = Finnish Navy link alias-air force = Finnish Air Force flag alias-military = Military flag of Finland.svg link alias-military = Finnish Defence Forces flag alias-army = Military flag of Finland.svg link alias-army = Finnish Army size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–0 1–0 2002 WCQ
8 14 November 2001 Municipal Stadium Kaisariani, Athens, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = Cyprus flag alias = Flag of Cyprus.svg flag alias-1878 = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg flag alias-1881 = Flag of Cyprus (1881–1922).svg flag alias-colonial = Blue Ensign of Cyprus (1922).svg flag alias-April 1960 = Flag of Cyprus (1960).svg flag alias-1960 = Flag of Cyprus (1960–2006).svg link alias-army = Cypriot Ground Forces size = name = variant = altlink = national football team

}}

1–1 1–2 Friendly
9 7 September 2005 Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan {{ Template:Yesno alias = Kazakhstan flag alias = Flag of Kazakhstan.svg flag alias-1991 = Flag of the Kazakh SSR.svg flag alias-1992 = Flag of Kazakhstan (1992).svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Kazakhstan.svg link alias-naval = Kazakh Naval Forces flag alias-air force = Ensign of Kazakhstan Air Force.svg link alias-air force = Kazakh Air Defense Forces flag alias-army = Kazakhstan Armed Forces Flag.svg link alias-army = Kazakh Ground Forces flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Kazakhstan.svg link alias-navy = Kazakh Naval Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant = var1 = 1991 var2 = 1992

}}

2–1 2–1 2006 WCQ
10 2 September 2006 Zimbru Stadium, Chişinău, Moldova {{ Template:Yesno alias = Moldova flag alias = Flag of Moldova.svg flag alias-1346 = Flag of Moldavia.svg flag alias-1917 = Flag of the Moldavian Democratic Republic.svg flag alias-1925 = Flag of Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1925-1932).svg flag alias-1937 = Flag of Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1937-1938).svg flag alias-1938 = Flag of Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.svg flag alias-1940 = Flag of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1941-1952).svg flag alias-1952 = Flag of Moldavian SSR.svg flag alias-1990 = Flag of Moldova (1990–2010).svg flag alias-army = Flag of the Armed Forces of Moldova.svg link alias-army = Moldovan Ground Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

1–0 1–0 2008 UEQ
11 6 June 2007 Pankritio Stadium, Heraklion, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = Moldova flag alias = Flag of Moldova.svg flag alias-1346 = Flag of Moldavia.svg flag alias-1917 = Flag of the Moldavian Democratic Republic.svg flag alias-1925 = Flag of Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1925-1932).svg flag alias-1937 = Flag of Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1937-1938).svg flag alias-1938 = Flag of Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.svg flag alias-1940 = Flag of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1941-1952).svg flag alias-1952 = Flag of Moldavian SSR.svg flag alias-1990 = Flag of Moldova (1990–2010).svg flag alias-army = Flag of the Armed Forces of Moldova.svg link alias-army = Moldovan Ground Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

2–1 2–1 2008 UEQ
12 13 October 2007 Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Athens, Greece {{ Template:Yesno alias = Bosnia and Herzegovina flag alias = Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg flag alias-1992 = Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1998).svg link alias-army = Bosnian Ground Forces size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

3–1 3–2 2008 UEQ
13 24 May 2008 Stadium Puskás Ferenc, Budapest, Hungary {{ Template:Yesno alias = Hungary flag alias = Flag of Hungary.svg flag alias-1848 = Flag of Hungary (1848-1849, 1867-1869).svg flag alias-1849 = Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy.svg flag alias-1867 = Flag of Hungary (1848-1849, 1867-1869).svg flag alias-1869 = Flag of Hungary (1869-1874).svg flag alias-1874 = Flag of Hungary (1874-1896).svg flag alias-1896 = Flag of Hungary (1896-1915; angels).svg flag alias-1915 = Flag of Hungary (1915-1918; angels).svg flag alias-1918 = Flag of Hungary (1918-1919).svg flag alias-1919 = Flag of Hungary (1919).svg flag alias-1920 = Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg flag alias-1946 = Flag of Hungary (1946-1949, 1956-1957; 1-2 aspect ratio).svg flag alias-1949 = Flag of Hungary (1949-1956; 1-2 aspect ratio).svg flag alias-1956 = Flag of Hungary (1946-1949, 1956-1957; 1-2 aspect ratio).svg flag alias-1957 = Flag of Hungary.svg flag alias-state = Flag of Hungary with arms (state).svg flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Hungary.svg flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Hungary.svg Hungarian River Guard flag alias-military = Flag of the Hungarian Defence Forces.svg link alias-military = Hungarian Defence Forces flag alias-army = War Flag of Hungary.svg link alias-army = Hungarian Ground Forces link alias-air force = Hungarian Air Force flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Hungary.svg Hungarian River Guard size = name = altlink = national football team variant =

}}

2–3 2–3 Friendly

Honours

AEK Athens

Greece U21

Individual

References

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