2009/10 was disastrous for Liverpool, with many players underperforming. The following five players are all undoubtedly skilled individuals, but need to start producing the goods more this season.
1. Alberto Aquilani
Perhaps unfaily, Aquilani was labelled a ‘big-money flop’ last season, as he struggled with injuries for the whole campaign. Having cost £20 million from Roma, he is a fair way from justifying that price tag, but there have been glimpses of his quality. He was excellent in the 4-1 win against Portsmouth, and with a good pre-season and some regular football, he could become a key first team player.
2. Maxi Rodriguez
Rodriguez arrived in January, and it was hoped that he would bring some fresh attacking impetus to the side. However, whilst he looked solid enough, he struggled to have much of an impact, and better things will be expected this season. There was a reason his free transfer move was seen as something as a coup for Liverpool, and Roy Hodgson will hope Rodriguez can start to show why.
3. Albert Riera
Of course, this could be an entirely moot point, as there is still a strong possibility that Riera could leave. But if he does stay at Anfield, Riera has a lot of work to do to get back in the Liverpool fans’ good books. After criticising Rafa Benitez’s managament style, the Spanish winger found himself frozen out, but now he may have a second chance. He was a key player during the 2008/09 title challenge, and could still be a useful player for the Reds.
4. Martin Skrtel
Skrtel missed the last three months of last season after breaking his foot against Unirea Urziceni, and this will be a big season for him. Jamie Carragher can’t go on forever, and Skrtel has been tipped to replace him at the centre of defence, alongside Daniel Agger. He has shown himself to be a capable defender, but he still has his doubters and will have to improve if he is to be at Anfield in the long term.
5. Ryan Babel
No list of Liverpool players with a point to prove would be complete without Ryan Babel. He is a constant source of frustration similar to Milan Baros, in that both players clearly have the ability to succeed, but so rarely demonstrate it. He is capable of spectacular goals (Lyon last season springs to mind) but just hasn’t been consistent enough, and too often plays with his head down. Hopefully he will up his game this season, because he is running out of chances.
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If ryan is used as a right wing instead of the left we will see a better player all round. but the other thing is games he needs more faith from the manager as for aquillani he is class dont worry bout that.
It would be nice to see all these players given a new lease of life, Riera in particular should be given a second chance, we will not get even close to his value so why sell him on.
Why does everybody want him on the right when all the managers he plays for play him on the left? Are the managers stupid, or ??? Just wondering…
somewhat unrelated but i have to say i was a little concerned listening to our roy last night! when asked about joe cole he said he had a brief chat and if there were any questions regarding transfers, they should be directed at christian purslow! would like a little more clarity here, is roy identifying his targets and letting CP get on with it? or is everything being done above his head? he appeared happy that we are being linked with such players but he seems no more the wiser than the rest of us! thoughts please
Babel has been given too much chances. He starts for us against spurs in the opening game last season and give a way below par performance. I do not understand why we need to keep giving him chances. Sell him off to birmingham for 8mill and bring in Joe Cole. Aquilani will be a star this season!
Babel would made the dutch squad despite not figuring in rafas plans. why sell. we have sold yossi. he is right footed and needs a run of games. he has never had three starts in a row even after playing well. the previous manager only held him back.
sell babel, sell reira, and no maxi was not struggerling at all, if you listen and learn as to wahts going on at the club you will no how happy torres and gerrard where as to maxi coming in, gerrard said it himself and indeed has called maic world class, so why do you not listen and stop posying crap.
as for skrtel you have a very bad memory! he was great before his injury and that was a very bad leg injury that he had to over come when injuried away at man city last year? he will be back to his best and just think he only cost 6 mill! he is a great player and he has nothing to prove, he will when fit and back in a settled back four, will be fine.