After last season's damaging defensive frailty, Liverpool's back-line is clearly in need of a serious overhaul, but apart from a proposed deal for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno, there doesn't appear to be much urgency to sign a new central defender. Of course, there's still plenty of time left, and Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Brendan Rodgers should follow Alex Ferguson's example and sign the best centre-halves money can buy.
In an interview a few days ago, Scholes slammed LFC as 'defensively poor', and urged Rodgers to make defenders a transfer priority. He explained:
"They [Liverpool] can be contenders again next year if they get two world-class centre halves and a left-back. I’m talking about players of the standard of Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand. That quality is difficult to find"
Do Liverpool really need two top-class central defenders? I'm not sure:
* £12m-rated Martin Skrtel had an outstanding season for the Reds. Yes, he scored some own goals, but he also grabbed 7 goals to make up for it, and produced consistently good defensive performances.
* Bringing in two 'world-class' centre-halves will cause major problems. They'd both expect start the majority of games (and their price-tags will demand as much), which means Skrtel being relegated to squad-player status, something he doesn't deserve.
* The chances of Sakho being sold are slim (he cost £18m only a year ago), and if Agger and Skrtel stay - and LFC sign two new CDs - that will leave the Reds with SIX senior central defenders, which is simply not manageable.
* Even if one of Agger or Skrtel leaves, the Reds will still have 5 senior central defenders (Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, 2x new CDs), and again, that is not a workable solution.
* The only way it will work is if two of LFC's current central defenders leave, but I can't see that happening. After all, why would Rodgers sell Skrtel - the club's best defender - after the season of his life? Is that fair and/or good man-management?
* If Skrtel/Agger/Toure leave, the two new central defenders will have to instantly strike up an understanding, or LFC could risk a poor first-part of the season, which could undermine any title challenge. What if they're not suited to each other? What if they just don't click?
Failure to maintain a consistent central-defensive partnership is one of the main reasons for LFC's defensive problems, and it's vital that Rodgers allows a settled-partnership to blossom next season. To aid that:
* LFC should sign one world-class (or potentially WC) centre-half.
* Skrtel should (IMO) stay, and partner the new defender (this ensures a level of consistency)
* Sakho and £15m-rated Agger should continue to be squad players.
Ultimately, signing two new central defenders is - like last summer - overkill. Only one is needed, and it's absolutely essential that Rodgers makes the right choice this time.
Author: Jaimie K
In an interview a few days ago, Scholes slammed LFC as 'defensively poor', and urged Rodgers to make defenders a transfer priority. He explained:
"They [Liverpool] can be contenders again next year if they get two world-class centre halves and a left-back. I’m talking about players of the standard of Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand. That quality is difficult to find"
Do Liverpool really need two top-class central defenders? I'm not sure:
* £12m-rated Martin Skrtel had an outstanding season for the Reds. Yes, he scored some own goals, but he also grabbed 7 goals to make up for it, and produced consistently good defensive performances.
* Bringing in two 'world-class' centre-halves will cause major problems. They'd both expect start the majority of games (and their price-tags will demand as much), which means Skrtel being relegated to squad-player status, something he doesn't deserve.
* The chances of Sakho being sold are slim (he cost £18m only a year ago), and if Agger and Skrtel stay - and LFC sign two new CDs - that will leave the Reds with SIX senior central defenders, which is simply not manageable.
* Even if one of Agger or Skrtel leaves, the Reds will still have 5 senior central defenders (Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, 2x new CDs), and again, that is not a workable solution.
* The only way it will work is if two of LFC's current central defenders leave, but I can't see that happening. After all, why would Rodgers sell Skrtel - the club's best defender - after the season of his life? Is that fair and/or good man-management?
* If Skrtel/Agger/Toure leave, the two new central defenders will have to instantly strike up an understanding, or LFC could risk a poor first-part of the season, which could undermine any title challenge. What if they're not suited to each other? What if they just don't click?
Failure to maintain a consistent central-defensive partnership is one of the main reasons for LFC's defensive problems, and it's vital that Rodgers allows a settled-partnership to blossom next season. To aid that:
* LFC should sign one world-class (or potentially WC) centre-half.
* Skrtel should (IMO) stay, and partner the new defender (this ensures a level of consistency)
* Sakho and £15m-rated Agger should continue to be squad players.
Ultimately, signing two new central defenders is - like last summer - overkill. Only one is needed, and it's absolutely essential that Rodgers makes the right choice this time.
Author: Jaimie K
we have good central defenders but no consistency and no leader, and our keeper doesnt take charge when he should, defenders need to be almost fearfull of their keeper, Skrtel scored og's because he didnt trust anyone around him and would panic and stick a leg out, also if people look back at our frailties in defence they will see that Glen Johnson was at fault for a lot of it, he cannot mark to save his life, nearly every cross that would come from the left side went over his head to the man he was supossed to be marking (this has happend for england aswell), stick him in as a midfielder and put Flanagan, Kelly, Wisdom there or buy another one but get Johnson out of there and half our problems would be solved, sort out a leader in the middle (as Carra was) and that will solve the rest of our deffence problems.......here endith the leason
ReplyDeleteI would rather sell Sakho then Agger or Skrtel but that ain't gonna happen. If Toure stays, I expect same 4 CDs next year with more game time to Kelly, making it 5.
ReplyDeleteToure and Illori will be there as well so need to get rid of players first. If Kolo isn't going to be used then he can do a job elsewhere in the prem and useful for a decent team.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, we only need one. I don't think changing two CBs in straight away is ever a good idea. Not only do they have thier own new partnership to work on, but their understanding with Midfield and full backs is crucial too. It's hard enough settling one player in without total chaos in there.
ReplyDeleteWe need one player with a voice, good brain and presence. If I had my choice of CBs around it would be Tim Cahill, someone of that mould.
Exactly. We need someone in there to keep order about. Who can organise, keep the young-uns and the not so young-uns from losing their heads.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Skrtel had the season if his life doesn't make it any better than it is, honestly i don't think his lac of concentration/errors can be fixed, it's seems more like some consequences of his play-style.
ReplyDeleteToure has not impresses me taht much and like every body i have a soft spot for Agger but his injuries still keep coming.
All in all i'd keep Skrtel/Sakho to at least have a partnership that have experience Keep ilori and buy one "top class" center back.
(i'm convince either Sakho with more experience or Ilori could turn out to be a top defender, we will see more of Sakho in the World cup)
Stam and Ferdinand is fine but Vidic, who cost not even 10 million has been just as good for them as those two. Pair Lovren with Skrtel and we're golden. And, as pointed out before, there is also the matter of Wisdom returning.
ReplyDeleteBanega was caught in bed with the manager's mother. It's all over the news, did you not know. lol.
ReplyDeleteYou're talking about a different management group. We recruited two dedicated scouts from Man City and Rodgers has always had his own methods. Anyway what I'm saying is that the average fan is being a bit naive to think he/she knows something some player that the pros don't. If there are obviously good players out there I would find it really hard to believe that our scouts don't at least know a little bit about them. They can make mistakes and still get it wrong but I would bet money that they have files on pretty much every possible target out there you could think of.
ReplyDeleteSkirtel had a very good season and is a goal threat but ideally for me he would be a squad player. I would like better and Im wondering where we can find another commanding Hypia like cb. I do like Lovren. I think Sakho was overpriced but he is only young and will hopefully improve. With Sakho and Skirtel as cover I would like a back four of Moreno Agger Lovren Flannagan/Mgloughlan (sorry for spelling) if we could sign those two players. Johnson still despite his experience commits a lot of errors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this. I think despite being the most consitent (non injured, coincidence?) defender last season Skrtel still wasn't without his ups and downs. He is also the one that drops off and drops off when the going gets tough. We need someone with the leadership skills but also pace and ability to keep us with a higher line.
ReplyDeleteBecause like D Agger(29) who is joint best defender at our club BUT was on bench for more than half season and P Reina(31) who is a better GK than S Mignolet(25) was loaned out. The new manager at Valencia fell out with E Banega(25).
ReplyDeleteDo you think a regular Argentinian international who lines alongside Mascherano in midfield would be rubbish? Watch the world cup and watch him shine, he is available for £6-£10M now, after world cup Valencia may make it £20-£25M
I second your motion.
ReplyDeletePandle, E Banega(25) is better than L Leiva(27) and J Allen(24) and J Henderson(23), he fell out with the new Valencia Manager that is why he was loaned out. Not on his ability as the last three seasons prior valencia knocked back 20M bids from teams in order to keep E Banega(25) at the club.
ReplyDeleteWhen Sakho touch the ball , we have heart attack! !
ReplyDeletesign lovern sell ageer
ReplyDeleteGood He is three years past his best and we did not need him anyway.
ReplyDeleteE Banega(25) Of Valencia or Y M'Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan, one of these should be brought to club for £6-£10M
E Banega(25) is technically better and would fit B Rodgers system well.
We? Not me.
ReplyDeleteAll the best defences have a standout leader - Terry, Kompany etc. We haven't had a defender in that mould since the days of Hyypia.
ReplyDeleteCara was a leader in his own way but towards the end of his career he was so slow. I really want us to have an athletic leader now. Someone with all the attributes a top class CB needs. I might be hoping for a bit much.
ReplyDeleteBR and co bought Aspas. Sure they saw all the other players and bought the best the money we had could buy right? Alberto? There's no naivity here. BR and co made mistakes and they might be making mistakes again. If they were great scouts Man City would not have let them go. Did you consider that? Obviously you dont have that perspective. Being scouts dont mean they are infallible. Allen, Borini, Assaidi, Aspas, Alberto are all mistakes. Athletico or Udinese would do a damn good job if given 60M+ to recruit.
ReplyDeleteYou prefer Lovren over Skrtel? Why?
ReplyDeletei reckon the problem is johnson and not just the center- backs... if we get a good left back, shift flanno to the right and bench or sell johnson, we should be somewhat better next season...
ReplyDeletethat... and i think johnson was pretty bad in many of the games towards the end of the season...
ReplyDeletetowards end of the season???he was bad start to finish
ReplyDeleteAregentina has never been known for its stellar defense. It is why they promise so much but deliver so little.
ReplyDeleteE Banega(25) is a DM/CM. Not a defender
ReplyDeleteArgentina's main strengths has been their attacking players: Di Maria, Messi, S Aguero, L Messi and G Higuain.
But E Banega(25) and J Mascherano(29) will protect their back 4 well.
Problem is Argentina's back 4 has never been great
But in world football the best teams in world, they weaknesses are their back 4.
Example: Barcelona, B Munich, Monaco, PSG and Real Madrid.
Banega is an awful professional. I think we'd be better off going for players who won't disrupt the good mentality we have in the squad nowadays.
ReplyDeleteIf we weren't in the CL and had to shop a little more downmarket, I'd be interested, but not right now.
Banega is undoubtedly very talented though.
If we can't do better than Lovren then we should hold on to what we have.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree on Skrtel. He is the own goal king. He falls asleep on plays, gets beaten regularly, and usually finds a way to be out of position on set pieces. If its a choice between him and Johnson, well Johnson has got to go. But there's a reason there is a lot of interest in Agger, and none in Skrtel. Look, 7 goals is great. But that's why we are beefing up the midfield with players like Lallana, Lambert, Shauqri (Hopefully)
ReplyDeleteSahko, meh, he was ok, but never stood out. And he wasn't in enough games to really get a sense of how he would do over the season. Toure? Old, slow, occasionally makes some horrible mistakes. Agger, he's the one I would keep. But I guess he's on the outs with BR for not training hard.
You can make any argument you want about having too many CD's right now, but the fact is, none of them got it done for us last season. None played anywhere near the level we need to win the League. LFC scored more than any other time, by a lot! But that goal differential was pathetic. And when we are facing teams in Europe? That defense is going to get eaten alive. (Not including Moreno yet, just existing players.)
So yeah, cut the dead weight, bring in some high quality replacements.
The most accurate comment I read last season was someone's post on the BBC that "giving Glen Johnson the ball is like handing back to the other team." Very true, and that's not even talking about how bad he was on the defensive side of the ball.
ReplyDeleteStart to finish, he was horrible.
Agger will be the most likely to leave and if we do sign another CB then I fully expect that player to partner Sakho next season.
ReplyDeleteGaray? Luisao? Lovren? Laporte? Godin? Vertonghen? Hummels?
ReplyDeleteAside from his price tag what reason would there be to play Sakho ahead of either Skrtel or Agger? The man is a horror show. One year in, I still can't believe we signed him
ReplyDeleteI think that is the main reason why we're after a left back. Jose Enrique and the new guy can fight for that spot whilst Flanagan is backed up by Johnson.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know he has a bad mentality? How do you know he is an awful professional?
ReplyDeleteThe same things were said about D Sturridge(24) but he has proved some of the rumours wrong.
Until you know the person properly don't make judgement
I think E Banega(25) is a class quality football player and an upgrade on L Leiva(27) and J Allen(24). He is an Argentinian international if he was such a bad professional he would be nowhere near his national team.
With Sturridge it was rumours, with Banega there are multiple accounts of his misdeeds.
ReplyDeleteHere is one: http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/42779/the-curious-case-of-ever-banega/
Here's his reaction to getting subbed a few years back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAI3vDTUR0g
I think Banega is potentially a marvellous player, but he comes with baggage.
As for being an Argentine national, they didn't deem him worthy of their World Cup squad.
Skrtel in my opinion is too error prone, Lovren is quicker (albeit not by much), but has proven he is very comfortable playing a high line, which is the way he wants to play, whereas I don't think Skrtel looks comfortable playing a high line - Lovren is also 5 years younger so will likely improve to be a much better defender than Skrtel
ReplyDeleteWell, granted he is quite clumsy, but he fits into our style of play better than the other two. He is statistically our best passer - just because he looks as if he is about to fall over doesn't mean that he is. He is also stronger than the other two, which naturally helps with the premier league, and considerably faster than both Skrtel and Agger. Skrtel is too error prone, and is often out of position, and Agger's concentration isn't good enough, and this seasons performances have proven that he just isn't a great defender
ReplyDeletehow did agger become so expendable? Remember skirtel and agger both manned a defence that was one of the meanest under KK!
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that we played some very attacking football which meant we leaked goals. In this system even if you bought in stam or rio you would still be vulnerable.
Sakho hasnt impressed at all - i dont know where that 18 million figure came from. Agger is superb in bringing the ball out and is capable of scoring goals too. if we played with a bit of discipline we would improve our defensive frailties.
The best cb partnership would be that of mamadou n papadou.The monster, mamadou sakho n the beast kyriakos papadoupolos. This partnership would scare the sh*t out of opponents trying to score against us :-p
ReplyDeleteI think out priority is left back, not centre back. Even right back is more pressing with Johnson struggling for consistent form and his contract negotiations still in the air.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Sakho will prove his worth next season--although he looks awkward on the ball, his stats are very good despite his languid style--and if Agger can change his attitude (like Skrtel did end of last season), we will have good competition for places at the heart of the defence.
Having said that, I can see Agger leaving, and because I don't trust Toure, we will need to get a good centre half in. And then, what's the point of getting someone average? I think Scholes is right in that sense (even if he over stated the case), if we buy a centre half, we need to get the best we can get--and let the competition raise everyone's game.
We already have Ilori
ReplyDeleteGet Ptr Cech
ReplyDeleteHummels
ReplyDeleteMainly agree,we've learnt Scholes doesn't talk manure,sorry,but he may be ever so slightly avoiding the Stevie G pace issue.
ReplyDeleteI would qualify all of the above as world class but would probably opt for Lovren or Vertonghen because they already know the league.
ReplyDelete