He then joined Udinese in 2006, and had a successful two-year spell, which, after making 63 league appearances, saw him switch to English side Liverpool in July 2008.

However, he struggled to adapt to the English game, making just 18 league appearances in two seasons, and he returned to Italy in January 2010, when he signed for Napoli.

He made his full international debut for Italy in 2007, and was part of their team at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, earning 10 caps in total.

[7] On 4 July 2008, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Dossena on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £7 million, becoming the second Italian to play for the club, after Daniele Padelli.

The start to his career at Liverpool was marked by poor form and he was unsatisfied with his performances, telling The Guardian: "I am not fully happy with my level.

[12] Dossena reinforced that he was committed to the club and explained that he was having difficulties adjusting because the pace of English football was significantly different from what he had experienced in Serie A.

Despite his largely unimpressive performances, he received more opportunities to prove himself in the first team as Fábio Aurélio, Liverpool's favoured left back, suffered an injury in late November.

On 8 January 2010, Dossena signed for Napoli in a four-year contract, and was given the number eight shirt[16] The fee quoted was €4.25 million and Andriy Voronin left on the same day.

[19] Dossena netted a brace in the final game of the season against Siena on 13 May 2012, sending Napoli to a 2–1 win and guaranteeing Europa League football.

[22] Dossena made his Sunderland debut on 27 October, playing at left back in a 2–1 victory over local rivals Newcastle United.

[34] After a lone season at Renate, on 15 June 2023 Dossena was unveiled as the new head coach of fellow Serie C club Pro Vercelli.