Daniel Agger is not a happy man. In a recent interview, the Dane made clear his unhappiness with being a bit-part player at Anfield, and with speculation swirling over his future, Denmark boss Morten Olsen has confirmed that the 29-year old is unhappy at LFC.
When asked last week about his Liverpool future, Agger told reporters:
"I don't know. That's up to the manager. I can't go and put myself on the team sheet.
"It definitely wasn't great to be left out, but I don't make the decisions.
"I think it is because the manager doesn't think that I'm good enough."
When asked this week about Agger's situation at Anfield, Olsen revealed that Denmark's captain is 'frustrated and irritated' by his bit-part status, and further added:
"He [Agger] should be should be playing. I hope he will make the right choice"
It sounds to me like Agger is seeking validation/reassurance from Brendan Rodgers, but LFC's manager has not responded publicly to the Dane's comments (though he may have done so privately).
Liverpool legends Mark Lawrenson and Jamie Carragher believe there's merit to Agger's contention that Rodgers doesn't think he's 'good enough'. Multiple reports this month claim that Barca are preparing a summer offer for £15m-rated Agger, and according to Lawro, Agger 'will be allowed to go' if the 'money is right':
"Agger has not been an automatic first choice this season. Rodgers watches him in training on a regular basis and has clearly seen something he doesn’t like. If a manager doesn’t fancy a player, usually that’s that".
Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, Jamie Carragher added:
"I've mentioned before I don't think he [Rodgers] is the biggest fan of Daniel Agger and that's why he always seems to leave him out".
In Carra's case, he worked with both Agger and Rodgers in his final season at Anfield, so he's in a good position to know if there's friction between the two.
Agger didn't have the best of seasons, but I'll take him over Mamadou Sakho every day of the week. As I've illustrated in the past, LFC are more defensively solid with Agger in the team, and if the Reds are to sell a central defender this summer, I'd prefer it to be Sakho.
Author: Jaimie K
When asked last week about his Liverpool future, Agger told reporters:
"I don't know. That's up to the manager. I can't go and put myself on the team sheet.
"It definitely wasn't great to be left out, but I don't make the decisions.
"I think it is because the manager doesn't think that I'm good enough."
When asked this week about Agger's situation at Anfield, Olsen revealed that Denmark's captain is 'frustrated and irritated' by his bit-part status, and further added:
"He [Agger] should be should be playing. I hope he will make the right choice"
It sounds to me like Agger is seeking validation/reassurance from Brendan Rodgers, but LFC's manager has not responded publicly to the Dane's comments (though he may have done so privately).
Liverpool legends Mark Lawrenson and Jamie Carragher believe there's merit to Agger's contention that Rodgers doesn't think he's 'good enough'. Multiple reports this month claim that Barca are preparing a summer offer for £15m-rated Agger, and according to Lawro, Agger 'will be allowed to go' if the 'money is right':
"Agger has not been an automatic first choice this season. Rodgers watches him in training on a regular basis and has clearly seen something he doesn’t like. If a manager doesn’t fancy a player, usually that’s that".
Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, Jamie Carragher added:
"I've mentioned before I don't think he [Rodgers] is the biggest fan of Daniel Agger and that's why he always seems to leave him out".
In Carra's case, he worked with both Agger and Rodgers in his final season at Anfield, so he's in a good position to know if there's friction between the two.
Agger didn't have the best of seasons, but I'll take him over Mamadou Sakho every day of the week. As I've illustrated in the past, LFC are more defensively solid with Agger in the team, and if the Reds are to sell a central defender this summer, I'd prefer it to be Sakho.
survey solutions
Author: Jaimie K
Sell Sahko? I would rather we keep Agger and Sahko because competition is good especially now that we have champions league but if Agger is not prepared to fight for his place then he can leave. I know Sahko will come good he is only 24.
ReplyDeleteAgger is one of the top defenders in the prem. For me I would have no other left sided centre half. Liverpool will regret selling him.
ReplyDeleteTiago Ilori will cover the space ;)
ReplyDeleteTotally disagree with you on this one. Agger has to go he's completely incompetent defender.
ReplyDeleteIn that case we should sell Skrtel as we conceded 50 EPL goals with him in the team which is the most goals conceded out of all our defenders!
ReplyDeleteBased on individual analysis, Sakho was neck and neck with Skrtel considering Skrtel had played more than double the minutes Sakho did. In fact, if you had to work on averages, Sakho may just turn out to be our best performing CB this season.
Would not say Agger is incompetent but he will be better suited to the slow pace of a league like the Serie A.
ReplyDeleteI agree, although I wouldn't go so far as saying completely incompetent. I don't think he's getting any better and with Sakho, once you iron out small kinks, he'll develop extremely well. DA would be good competition but I don't think they bought Llori for no reason. Replace Daniel with a Vidic/Kompany type player and all is rosey.
ReplyDeleteAgger arguably looked the weakest individually of the four senior centre-backs to feature this season, but the team seemed to perform better with him in it.
ReplyDeleteSakho should be the main man in our defence moving forwards and if Rodgers buys into the idea that two left-footers can not play together at the back, then it would be best for all concerned if Agger is moved on asap
Yes, you're right. Skrtel has to go too.
ReplyDeleteSkrtel, if we can find a player of better quality, will not be missed really. Not commanding enough for his length of time at the club, also prone to lapses of concentration. A good defender and if we keep him, all good, if we can upgrade, I would do that.
ReplyDeleteAgger's transfer value surely isn't going to hold for much longer at his age, particularly if his playing time continues to decline due to competition and his injuries.
ReplyDeleteMoving him and Skrtel on immediately would be a good move imo. Sakho plus another powerful centre-back, with Kelly/Ilori/Toure (and maybe even Coates?!) as backups is good enough to move the club on.
Na, not Coates.. He might come good somewhere else but we need qualities he's not likely to posses anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteNonsense, and you know it. I've already proven with stats this season how Skrtel/Agger is the superior partnership. And to suggest that Sakho is the 'best performing CB' is just more intellectual dishonesty from you.
ReplyDelete* Skrtel/Sakho: 1 clean sheet in 17 games.
* Skrtel/Agger: 7 clean sheets in 21 games.
Why does Skrtel keep more clean sheets playing alongside Agger? The answer is obvious.
Skrtel is clearly LFC's best defender last season, and he is streets ahead of Sakho.
With Sakho in the team we conceded 25 goals in his 18 appearances.
ReplyDeleteWithout Sakho in the team we conceded 25 goals in 18 matches.
I said this last time: Agger played more games in Carra's last season than ever in his Liverpool career. If Rodgers "has clearly seen something he didn't like" then where was that then? Carra doesn't need to speculate, Agger was his CB partner for a number of seasons and one full season under Rodgers. But it sounds like he's speculating. How can the guy who used to play on the team only make vague speculations? He either knows something or he doesn't and it sounds to me like he doesn't know something. Rodgers made his choices this year and Skrtel responded brilliantly. Agger just starts to have a whinge any time he's not automatic first choice and he's done it before. Of course he's not happy not playing but who would be? If we want to have a team with depth then someone has to miss out. If it's not Agger it's Skrtel or Sakho. Someone will always not get as many games as they like and that's just how it is.
ReplyDeleteNow you've resorted to barefaced lying? LFC conceded 30 goals in Sakho's 19 appearances. Please get your facts correct.
ReplyDeleteSakho is the most suited of him Skrtel, and Agger to the prem. He is the strongest, fastest, and less prone to errors than the other two. Agger and Skrtel both lack concentration, and Skrtel is in my opinion a red card just waiting to happen. His srrong aerial ability in the opossitions box and his ability to make a good deal of clearances and blocks, have masked him always dropping too deep, as he's too slow to play a high line, which incidentally mean when he makes a silly error it is easily punishable. As much as I like Agger, his lack of presence and concentration have finally come to the fore this season, and the guaranteed lack of playing time he will get mean it's unfortunately time for him to move on. We should keep Sakho, move Flanno to right back, get Johnson as far away from the team as possible (I still think he could be a good squad member as a wide midfielder, however), sign a new left back and a faster centre back, or at least one who is more adept to playing a high line such as Lovren, and keep Kolo and Ilori as back ups. Rant over.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say he was streets ahead JK, they are of similar quality. If you were Sakho or Brendan Rodgers, you would be pleased with how the season went, first season in new league, large injury setback. He has not been shocking.
ReplyDeleteI can only see him improve, and if BR can improve him as much as JH/RS then we have a quality quality player. Unfortunately for Skrtel, he's not getting younger, so if if he can be improved, the margins are small.
Blatant lies? I am referring to EPL matches.
ReplyDelete25 + 25 = 50 goals conceded in 38 matches.
Jaimie it is, with all due respect, a poor analysis to use clean sheets to assess a defender..does Skrtel get blame for Gerrard's slip against Chelsea? Of course not..the metrics to compare defenders are clear...errors leading to goals, tackles won(aerial or ground), interceptions, blocks and least important passing %..you never mention these because Sahko beat Agger in all this season and would discredit your personal bias...
ReplyDeleteActually, I've already mentioned all those stats in several different articles, so please get your facts straight before spouting off.
ReplyDeleteYou clearly can't count - LFC conceded 29 goals in Sakho's 18 prem games: http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/GamesPerCompetition/1264-12
ReplyDeleteso why in God's name are you harping on a clean sheet stat? and fighting with the guy over 25 to 29 goals...do you see any merit in my point about clean sheets?
ReplyDeleteGuess what: I have different opinions to you. You'll just have to deal with it. If you don't like the nature of my view, that's tough luck.
ReplyDeleteNot according to Opta.
ReplyDeleteSo if you are wrong factually/logicallyyou have a "different view"..if posters do same..they talk "nonesense and you know it"...fair nuff..your site
ReplyDeleteWas he on the pitch when we conceded those other 4 goals? No.
ReplyDeleteIf BR can keep them happy(Agger, Skrtel and Sakho), they should all stay.
ReplyDeletePersonally, we should move Sakho to LB, play Agger and Skrtel in the middle with Flanno at Right Back.
ReplyDeleteIf we had to choose I'd rather keep agger and sell sakho but sakho's going nowhere. I fear it's the end of the road for agger at anfield. Shame
ReplyDeleteIncompetent is a bit harsh, he's a very good footballer although perhaps past his best. Agree with Logan that a slower less physical league would suit him better now
ReplyDeleteRight so here we go comparing Skrtel (left) vs Sakho (right) (EPL statistics). Now statistics do not tell the whole picture but it is something that is very predominant on this site.
ReplyDeleteGames 36 - 18
Goals conceded - 50 (1.39 per game) - 25 (1.39 per game)
Passes: 1760 (48.89 per game) - 921 (51.17 per game)
Passing Accuracy: 90.8% - 92.4%
Duels Won: 197 (5.47 per game) - 87 (4.83 per game)
Duels lost: 97 (2.69 per game) - 61 (3.39 per game)
Duels won (%): 67% - 58.8%
Aerial duels won: 129 (3.58 per game) - 48 (2.67 per game)
Aerial duels lost: 56 (1.56 per game) - 37 (2.05 per game)
Aerial Duels Won (%): 69.7% - 56.5%
Recoveries: 165 (4.58 per game) - 108 (6 per game)
Tackles Won: 37 (1.03 per game) - 25 (1.39 per game)
Tackles Lost: 13 (2.77 per game) - 2 (0.11 per game)
Tackles Won (%): 74% - 92.6%
Clearances: 409 (11.36 per game) - 136 (7.56 per game)
Blocks: 38 (1.05 per game) - 7 (0.39 per game)
Interceptions: 62 (1.72 per game) - 27 (1.5 per game)
Penalties conceded: 1 - 0
Fouls Won: 12 (0.33 per game) - 8 (0.44 per game)
Fouls Conceded: 28 (0.78 per game) - 10 (0.56 per game)
Yellow Cards: 6 - 0
Red Cards: 0 - 0
Own goals: 4 - 0
Goals scored: 7 - 1
Sell Sakho? I completely disagree!
Sakho has 92% pass accuracy, Fifth in Europe.
ReplyDeleteAverages 55 passes per 90 minutes, only 3 from top 10 defenders in this category average more.
Average pass lenght is 20 meters.
Made 2 defensive errors, neither led to a goal.
A VERY good defender.
Sakho has no right foot. if you play football? for the price LFC paid for Sakho one would expect more. How many times have you seen Sakho make a pass with his outer foot. He is one dimensional and can only use his inner foot for a pass.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean 'fifth in Europe'?!
ReplyDeleteTop scoring defender. Both ends.
ReplyDeleteTop 5 European league defenders, what else..
ReplyDeleteFair argument, but not enough to let him go..
ReplyDeleteNot a bad idea for some matches, but put Agger on the left- he loves to upfront..
ReplyDeleteI have just dome that comparison above mate :-)
ReplyDeleteSakho is a complete DONKEY! every time he's on the ball or looks like he's going to launch himself into a tackle my heart is in my mouth because his touch, timing and decision making are diabolical!?! at 18M he was a complete waste of money, if we were to try and sell him now we wouldn't IMO get even half that back!!! he is a Stewart Downing scale mistake...
ReplyDeleteHe is 1,87m tall and has 85 killos of muscles. He is left handed. He looks uncoordinated, but that is all there is to it. Henderson looks like his legs are not properly connected with his waist, yet without his running our midfield was wery poor (those 3 crucial matches after City)
ReplyDeleteNot enough mate, not enough...
ReplyDeleteAnd please, a donkey?!? Easy..
ReplyDeleteIf you had backed your comment with some proof or evidence then I would agree with you but fact is that you have given no proof or evidence of Sakho being a complete donkey etc.
ReplyDeleteAll you have done is made him a scapegoat.
"Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has slammed Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho as being mentally weak, that's 17 games Sakho and Skrtel have played together now and ONE CLEAN SHEET. They always concede goals whenever they play together."
ReplyDeleteIMO if Jamie had been there this season to lead the defensive line, we'd be champions right now. Defensively last season we were all at sea, zero leadership or organisation coming from either combination of centre halves cost us the league.
At 18 million pounds he should be the finished product but instead we're looking at numerous other options this summer to plug up a leaky defence... that says it all TBH.
"because his touch, timing and decision making are diabolical!?!"
ReplyDeleteBring us proof of this what you said!
Fabio Cannavaro was only 1.76m and 75kgs, so what??? The difference is he was composed, accurate, tough, a leader and most of all could actually defend!?!
ReplyDeleteI am saying he is too big to look like he is dancing on the pitch.
ReplyDeleteWell Jaimie nor others hear want to hear facts mate..It's Agger full stop, stats/actual play be damned..I suggest you leave it alone or your comments will be removed as well..
ReplyDeleteWhat ive given you is the opinion of Liverpool's best defender over the last decade. It is because of the areas i mentioned he's not and never will be good enough for LFC. If its proof you want i suggest you cast an objective eye over anyone of the 16 games he started where we conceded.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is simple, BR is looking at centre halves right now to replace him in the starting 11 for next season, be it Steven Caulker or Dejan Lovren. Because he knows he's signed another dud in Sakho and a very expensive one at that.
To replace Sakho when Skrtel annd agger are nearing the age of 30?
ReplyDeleteOnce again I ask you to bring proof!
Vincent Kompany is a much bigger player than Sakho in every respect. His extra height doesn't seem to make him look ungainly or uncomposed. Theres just a huge gulf in class between the two, nothing to do with height or weight.
ReplyDeleteWell Sakho DOES look clumsey becouse of his height and weight, but he IS NOT.
ReplyDeleteJaimie you're right...Sell Sahko..apologies
ReplyDeleteThe proof is Rodgers wants a new centre half.
ReplyDeleteThe proof is he will sell Agger this summer should we receive a half decent offer for him.
The proof is in the pudding my friend and Sakho WILL be a squad player next season of that i am certain, because he has shown this season hes not up to it.
Otherwise why bring in Caulker or Lovren??? to replace Skrtel??? No i dont think so.
Skrtel and Sakho are both weak, but Sakho is worse.
We have not brought in Lovren or Caulker. All you are doing is speculating. Let's discuss this again when you have proof.
ReplyDeleteIm sorry chicco but if he's so AMAZING why are we being linked with so many centre halves??
ReplyDeleteCaulker or Lovren would be better additions and both would be guaranteed to start, Sakho will go back to the bench were he belongs.
Firstly, The potential of Sakho becoming better than Skrtle and Agger is astronomical. He will. He needs support. Remember this, new country, new league, new language. 1st year in the league man!!Cut him some slack.
ReplyDeleteAt his age being able to do a decent job against most opposition is great for him right now. Defenders are peaking between 28 and 30.....I see Sakho becoming a Marcel Desailly esque player. DONE
He is no way near the finish product and with BR around he will mine out the brilliance of Sakho.
What comes into question, for me, are the player next to him the so called experienced player. Neither Kolo, Dagger or Skrtel have the mental dexterity to lead a defensive line. The only problem is his mental attributes and they will grows with experience.
His forward pass is awesome, the weight and pace of the pace.
We have a gem for years to come just enjoy the ride YNWA!!
Have I got this right? We have to sell Skrtel, Agger and Sakho as well as Coates, Enrique, Kelly and Johnson because they are all rubbish. We have to move Flannagan to RB but only as a backup which means we need at least 4 new defenders.
ReplyDeleteWow, not so much a transfer window more like a massacre
Exactly. You would expect Toure, Skrtel or Agger who have far more experience to be commanding our defence but guess what, none of them are leaders so it is easy to make Sakho 'the new guy' a scapegoat.
ReplyDeleteDid any of them come? And even if some does, Toure is probably gone, and maybe Agger, Plus much more games next season..
ReplyDeletePSG target David Luiz in £50m deal.
ReplyDeleteJust a rumour for now but if true then the footballing world has finally proven itself to be a complete joke.
Hmm I remember we mentioning them and you saying they were less important than the clean sheet stat.
ReplyDeleteBrick wall head mate. Not worth the argument.
ReplyDeleteYeah but your assuming it's Sakho who loses his place.
ReplyDeleteJesus, what is your point? In this instance, I've merely stated that I've posted those stats. The weight I attribute to them is irrelevant. Stop trying to find stuff that isn't there.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
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Greg Jones
Hmm I remember we mentioning them and you saying they were less important than the clean sheet stat. 2:02 p.m., Friday May 23
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Greg Jones’s comment is in reply to Jaimie K:
Actually, I've already mentioned all those stats in several different articles, so please get your facts straight. Read more
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I think part of the reason is wanting all Brazillians as the CBs. Makes it easier to play with players if you play at international as well as talking the same language. Alex isn't getting any younger and they also have Marquinhos so they are looking to the future in that position too.
ReplyDeleteThat was my point. Did YOU post them? I remember you posting the other
ReplyDeletething but not that. If you did my apologies but that is not how I
remember it. Perhaps it was an article I didn't see
But £50m for David Luiz? 27 and not a regular in the Chelsea team. That to me is infreakingsane.
ReplyDeleteDo you think they need a striker - Aspas anyone?j
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I think it is best we approach a club like Swansea to move Iago on.
ReplyDeleteHyppia is the best Liverpool defender of the last decade.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's almost definite that Rodgers is looking for a partner for Sakho, not a replacement.
I've seen Kompany make plenty of costly mistakes this season, and that's without me even watching City extensively. Looks like it's just another case of people seeing what they want to see if you're going to say there's been a massive gulf in class between him and Sakho this season.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've seen, Rodgers has been looking to Skrtel out for a while, but the other centre-backs keep getting injured and Rodgers wisely tried to keep what little continuity at the back that he could.
ReplyDeleteFitness permitting, Sakho will undoubtedly be starting centre-back next year, regardless of any further transfers
I see Sakho use his right foot as often as Agger does, and as much as Skrtel uses his left. The guy is quality on the ball and will surely prove himself as our best centre-back next season once we get a bit of continuity at the back
ReplyDeleteThere isn't any evidence that Skrtel was "clearly LFC's best defender last season" and "streets ahead of Sakho", whether using statistical analysis or the good old 'eye-test'
ReplyDeleteTotally agreed - Skrtel hasn't really improved since his arrival all those years ago, and he continues to make the same mistakes now that he did then.
ReplyDeleteSakho did make a lot of mistakes with diving in over-aggressively at times, but at least he can be excused for being a 'relatively' young player that has just arrived in the league
Agree
ReplyDeleteIts gonna happen am sure. David Luiz is one overrated defender but the current market is insane as it is.
ReplyDeleteSakho looks very raw and if he doesn't show sign of improvement next season, he should leave. As I said before, we must keep Skrtel and Agger, surely.
ReplyDeletetake it from me and I'm in the know a little bit, most of the names banded around are not even possible signings they are just unhappy players banded around by agents and as we have money to spend we get linked to uncle to cobley and all
ReplyDeleteI will disprove this contention over the weekend with an article statistically comparing LFC's defenders.
ReplyDelete