Babbel v Finnan

[fred milne]

Any views on whether the Finnan of the last 12 months is a better RB than the Babbel of the treble season?

[_00_deathscar]

Don't think so.

[Guz]

Nah, Babbel was fantastic in 2001. He has the edge with his attacking play for me

[Earl Hafler]

Not in 1 season, no. Babbel was awesome that season.

 

It's pretty close between the two, though, as Finnan is consistently excellent in defence.

[Dave_the_Red]

Babel for me.As good a defender but scored more goals

[Guest JV]

Babbel

[Knox_Harrington]

Over the course of the whole season I'd say Finnan has been better all round. Babbel started off just a little ropey that year. However Finnan will never have Babbel's goal return.

 

On his day Babbel was better. Week in, week out Finnan is better.

[Amit83]

mb takes it for me, i agree that he was awesome that season, but sf is soon becomming the best rb in europe.

i may be biest but his level of consistansy has been remarkable, i remember when raffa first came here i thought he would be one of the first to go. i honestly thought that hed struggled to tie his own laces let alone win kick a ball straight, but im overjoyed to see him prove me wrong, keep up the good work stevie

[Foo]

Houllier did well to acquire Markus Babbel back then and even if he started poorly in the red shirt he certainly did well during the season. I'd go for Babbel because he was solid defensively and he scored many goals for a back. Steve Finnan has grown immensely in my eyes though.

[nd]

I think maybe Finnan edges it now.

[Gomez]

I think both were fantastic full backs, both were defensively solid, Finnan probably slightly better than Babbel in that department, but Babbel probably edges it for his attacking threat. However Finnan is younger.

[floyd the barber]

finnan for me

[Bootser]

Markus was a classy player who you were always confident would do the right thing with the ball. Scored 6 goals (which we could do with now) and was very unfortunate.

 

IMHO Finnan grows and grows in skill and experience - looks like he is more reliability that liability and must be one of the first on Rafas team sheet.

[Earl Hafler]

Yet if you play Football Manager he's considered no more than a back-up player

[Bootser]

MB or SF?

 

Have you sold that coAT ON e-bAY YET?

[Earl Hafler]

SF.

I've kept it until Jagger eventually dies...at this rate he'll be 104.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Babbel for me. A rock defensively once he got over a few half jittery performances at first. didn't just keep danger away from his area, he simply cleaned out more often than not. Very imposing defender. His stamina in the league cup final was nothing short of magnificient.

 

Technically, Finnan is probably better, but he doesn't have Babbel's engine or goal threat.

 

It says a lot about Finnan's performances that you can even debate this, but for me Babbel remains the best rightback I have ever seen in a red shirt (or for that matter, in the league).

[Guest Red Mist]

Marcus was sensational. I will forever curse that mysterious plague that struck him down and ended his career as a Red. Goddamn you, Guillem Balague.

[Maldini]

Finnan is an impeachable god

[Guest AdamS]

Carra says Finnan is the best right back he's ever played with.

[Stevie H]

On his day Babbel was better. Week in, week out Finnan is better.

that's a good way of putting it.

[sean]

Got to agree, Stevie Finnan on recent performances is among the best right backs we've had in a long time. Amazing, when you consider his performances of not so long ago. On the verge of being shipped out at one stage. Does a brilliant job without fuss.

[Earl Hafler]

Carra says Finnan is the best right back he's ever played with.

 

That's one hell of an endorsement but how many right backs has Carra played with whilst he's been at centre back ? During the treble season whilst Babbel was at right back, Carra was at left back. I think Carra's also a more intelligent player now than he was then.

 

I still think Babbel was better in the treble season but Finnan has been producing this sort of form for nearly 2 seasons now. My player of the season last year.

[Hassony]

Finnan is simply outstanding, the best RB in the world (yet for some reason not first choice fore Ireland !!!!!)

 

but why was he so average in his first season at anfield? was it some personal issues, the pressure of moving to a big team

[Leo No.8]

Finnan for me, although there really would be very, very little to choose between the two.

 

I'd say both players would be equally strong defensively, but Babbel was more of a direct goal threat aerially from set pieces and even open play.

 

However, although rarely in the position to stick the ball in himself, Finnan's delivery with both feet is as consistently good as I've seen from any Liverpool player, let alone right-backs.

 

That gives him the slight edge for me.