Ribery’s a player I really like but tbh I’d rather keep Alonso than sign him. Unless Rafa has a “new Alonso” up his sleeve.
[quote=“farmerinthecity”]He said he could buy one more player without selling anyone. Knowing Rafa - he likes buying players.
I would start Benayoun. He had an excellent end to the season.
Reina,
Johnson, Carragher*, Skrtel, Insua
Mascherano, Alonso
Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun
Torres
- needs to improve[/QUOTE]
Thats a decent side and well set up. Keeping them fit will be the problem. Only question mark I would have is Carragher. He was awful in the second half of last season. Drogba made a fool of him altogether in the Champions League. Agger would be a far better option on the ball too.
He was poor alright. I actually think he has suffered from not playing beside Hyypia. He now is the experienced one in defence and I don’t think he is terribly comfortable with that.
Think his ego is the biggest problem, my brother is a Liverpool fan and Carra’s autobiography was the most egotistical drivel Ive ever read. He has always been a bit too last ditch for my liking and when ever he is under pressure on the ball he tends to turn and hoof blindly. That must drive the likes of Alonso mad. While he is a committed player and that cant be doubted he lacks pace and upper body power. Drogba has ruthlessly exposed this in the past.
You would wonder can a side with Carragher as first choice central defender win a title.
[quote=“KIB man”]Think his ego is the biggest problem, my brother is a Liverpool fan and Carra’s autobiography was the most egotistical drivel Ive ever read. He has always been a bit too last ditch for my liking and when ever he is under pressure on the ball he tends to turn and hoof blindly. That must drive the likes of Alonso mad. While he is a committed player and that cant be doubted he lacks pace and upper body power. Drogba has ruthlessly exposed this in the past.
You would wonder can a side with Carragher as first choice central defender win a title.[/QUOTE]
I think that’s overstating it. Carra’s autobiography was a bit up his own hole but not a patch on Keano the Traitor. He does lack pace and he’s not great on the ball but his strengths usually make up for it. Agger is certainly well capable of stepping in though and the Skrtel/Agger partnership could work really well. But Carra’s worth having there for the moment for his influence, his passion and his ability.
What ability? He is as average as the day is long. At least, Keane was a key part of a very successful side and made his mark on the game. Surely Carra will be remembered as an honest wholehearted player but ultimately a limited defender.
Limited but brilliant at what he does. Refer to CL final 2005.
I will accept that he is a limited footballer but don’t underestimate the honest and wholehearted part. He never put a foot worng for about three or four seasons there.
But his hoofing of the ball up the pitch at every given opportunity is a problem I will admit.
Yep he was part of a defence that conceded 3 goals. Next?
Good man, the inference there being that any player who has been part of a defence that has conceded three goals has no ability. I repeat, good man.
You were the one that picked the example. Looks like your making a bit of a fool of yourself here. Next
I stand by my example.
You seem to be standing by your theory that anyone who has been part of a defence that has conceded three goals has no ability.
I’d have said that makes you a fool and I dare say more people would agree with me than you.
Saying “next” is pretty pathetic too.
Liverpool have had either the best, or close to the best defensive record in the league for many years now under Carragher’s stewardship.
That says it all really. To wonder if a league could be won with such a player in defence is ridiculous in fairness.
[quote=“ClarkeyCat”]I stand by my example.
You seem to be standing by your theory that anyone who has been part of a defence that has conceded three goals has no ability.
I’d have said that makes you a fool and I dare say more people would agree with me than you.
Saying “next” is pretty pathetic too.[/QUOTE]
Your statement - ‘limited but brilliant at what he does. Refer to CL final 2005’
What theory have I been espousing?
No hard and fast theory just a suggestion that a game in which the Liverpool conceded three goals is hardly the best example to pick out his brilliance.
Your not good at this debating craic really are you?
Next. End of . Barrup. Hints to the hints 
[quote=“farmerinthecity”]Liverpool have had either the best, or close to the best defensive record in the league for many years now under Carragher’s stewardship.
That says it all really. To wonder if a league could be won with such a player in defence is ridiculous in fairness.[/QUOTE]
Maybe although you look at Carvalho, Terry, Vidic, Ferdinand - i think he is a long way of that standard.
But you do agree it was a ridiculous thing to say given Liverpool’s defesive record in recent seasons?
In the words of eamon dunphy, yes but a qualified yes. The validity of the central tenet of my argument is valid.
Ok - that’s a yes then.
You made a ridiculous statement. Next!
Rafa considered Owen signing…
Reds boss opted not to sign striker as he wouldn’t get in team:guns:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5426829,00.html
Well he wouldn’t. That is pretty clear I would have said.
Torres and Gerrard is as strong of a pairing as there is at the moment.
I worry about the way he refers to Voronin, who Hertha Berlin didn’t even want and Ngog, who is just shite, as ‘quality’.