Squad Conundrum

[Jim D]

Thinking about all of these draws we've had at Anfield this season tells me some our players in the squad just aren't good enough to have made that crucial difference of converting 1pt into 3pts. Take Liverpool's squad at this moment in time and categorise the players into three categories.

 

1. First Team player, be on anyones team sheet every week without hesitation.

2. Squad player proving his worth when called into the side, reliable.

3. Squad player not proving his worth and should be gone in the summer.

 

No sitting on the fence allowed and reserve/youth team players are excluded.

 

1. Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Martin Skrtel

 

2. Dirk Kuyt, Sami Hyypia, Emiliano Insua, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun and Nabil El Zhar

 

3. Ryan Babel, Philipp Degen, Diego Cavalieri, Andrea Dossena, Charles Itandje, Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant and Andriy Voronin.

 

I think its telling under section 1 we don't have one single player who gives us that extra dimension from the wide areas of the field. Yossi and Albert are capable players but they both have a tendency to cut inside too much. The players we have in the squad who play the lines unfortunately are stuck out in section 3.

 

In the summer we are going to need top quality attacking players who can play the lines, so turn the frustrating draws at Anfield this season into wins next.

 

What say you?

[Owen1978]

These draws dont mean that the squad isnt good enough, it means our first 11 isnt good enough!,

we need at least two more world class attacking players

[Swipe]

No point stating what players we need, no matter how glaringly obvious it may be, cos unvariably we won't buy them!

[gns]

Well you would struggle to fit Carra, Skrtel and Agger in our "best side" I think - that leaves you with only 7 in your "category 1" - there lies our problems.

[lawrie]

You want to change to 3 at the back or is Carra being farmed out to right back again?

[Metro]

Thinking about all of these draws we've had at Anfield this season tells me some our players in the squad just aren't good enough to have made that crucial difference of converting 1pt into 3pts. Take Liverpool's squad at this moment in time and categorise the players into three categories.

 

1. First Team player, be on anyones team sheet every week without hesitation.

2. Squad player proving his worth when called into the side, reliable.

3. Squad player not proving his worth and should be gone in the summer.

 

No sitting on the fence allowed and reserve/youth team players are excluded.

 

1. Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Martin Skrtel

 

2. Dirk Kuyt, Sami Hyypia, Emiliano Insua, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun and Nabil El Zhar

 

3. Ryan Babel, Philipp Degen, Diego Cavalieri, Andrea Dossena, Charles Itandje, Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant and Andriy Voronin.

 

I think its telling under section 1 we don't have one single player who gives us that extra dimension from the wide areas of the field. Yossi and Albert are capable players but they both have a tendency to cut inside too much. The players we have in the squad who play the lines unfortunately are stuck out in section 3.

 

In the summer we are going to need top quality attacking players who can play the lines, so turn the frustrating draws at Anfield this season into wins next.

 

What say you?

 

You might find that if Rafa goes, then the Spanish players may follow him shortly afterwards. Plus Aurelio, Lucas and Mascher...

[muleskinner]

Thinking about all of these draws we've had at Anfield this season tells me some our players in the squad just aren't good enough to have made that crucial difference of converting 1pt into 3pts. Take Liverpool's squad at this moment in time and categorise the players into three categories.

 

1. First Team player, be on anyones team sheet every week without hesitation.

2. Squad player proving his worth when called into the side, reliable.

3. Squad player not proving his worth and should be gone in the summer.

 

No sitting on the fence allowed and reserve/youth team players are excluded.

 

1. Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Martin Skrtel

 

2. Dirk Kuyt, Sami Hyypia, Emiliano Insua, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun and Nabil El Zhar

 

3. Ryan Babel, Philipp Degen, Diego Cavalieri, Andrea Dossena, Charles Itandje, Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant and Andriy Voronin.

 

I think its telling under section 1 we don't have one single player who gives us that extra dimension from the wide areas of the field. Yossi and Albert are capable players but they both have a tendency to cut inside too much. The players we have in the squad who play the lines unfortunately are stuck out in section 3.

 

In the summer we are going to need top quality attacking players who can play the lines, so turn the frustrating draws at Anfield this season into wins next.

 

What say you?

 

 

Cavalieri shipped out? Why?

[Jim D]

You want to change to 3 at the back or is Carra being farmed out to right back again?

 

No, No ignore formations etc and place each player on their individual value to the squad.

 

If we did this to the Mancs squad and compared, I'd guess you see about the same number in Section 1 but crucially seeing more attacking players, wide and upfront. They would probably also have a lot more in Section 2 and very little in Section 3.

[gns]

You might find that if Rafa goes, then the Spanish players may follow him shortly afterwards. Plus Aurelio, Lucas and Mascher...

 

When does that ever happen?

Edited February 22, 2009 by gns

[Jim D]

Cavalieri shipped out? Why?

 

Perhaps I'm being a little unfair on him but I think we can find a better keeper who would be willing to be back-up for Reina. Amazed to still see Itandje on our squad list.

[Earl Hafler]

When does that ever happen?

 

Didn't you see the mass walk out at Chelsea when Mourinho was sacked ?

[D.Boon]

You might find that if Rafa goes, then the Spanish players may follow him shortly afterwards. Plus Aurelio, Lucas and Mascher...

 

And you may find they dont.

[johngibo YPC]

Didn't you see the mass walk out at Chelsea when Mourinho was sacked ?

 

They didn't leave, they just stopped playing instead

[Earl Hafler]

They didn't leave, they just stopped playing instead

 

Surely if a player leaves Liverpool because the manager does, they can go f**k themselves ?

[McBain]

Surely if a player leaves Liverpool because the manager does, they can go f**k themselves ?

 

This is true