It’s fair to say this season has not gone the way most Kopites would have been hoping at the start of the Premier League campaign in August. High expectations after last year’s achievements were quickly dashed before autumn had even arrived. Here we review each Liverpool player’s season, to pick out the ones that can head off on their summer holidays feeling pleased with their season’s work and the players who should take a long hard look at themselves. Today we start with the defenders.
Pepe Reina – As ever the bedrock of Rafa Benitez’s team and probably now the first name on the Liverpool team sheet each week. The Spanish goalkeeper has assembled himself into not just the best goalkeeper in England but throughout the world. Reina is arguably Liverpool’s most consistent player and surely a future Liverpool captain when Steven Gerrard eventually makes way. He has also helped the reds earn 14 clean-sheets in the league this season. He recently signed a new six-year contract at Liverpool keeping him at the club until 2016.
Glen Johnson – The big summer signing from Portsmouth has experienced mixed fortunes since his arrival at Anfield. He has undoubtedly given Rafa Benitez a new attacking outlet from that right-hand side and is more of a threat than last season’s Alvaro Arbeloa. However it is the defensive side to his game that has raised questions about Johnson. At times this season he has looked out of his depth, and his tackling and positioning have been questionable in a number of games which has not been helped by his absence mid-way through the course of the season through injury. An average first season at the club but he is destined to improve given time.
Jamie Carragher – ‘Mr Liverpool’ himself has freely admitted that this has not been his best season at the club, but saying that his performances have got better and better as the season has progressed. He looked to be struggling at the start of the season and was widely criticised for his early season performances particularly. At one stage in the season it looked like he might have lost his place to the younger and fitter pair of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, only for the former to pick up an injury allowing Carragher to regain his place in the team. There is no doubt that age is beginning to catch up with Carragher but what will never be in doubt, is his commitment to the Liverpool cause which he will never lose, even when he eventually calls it a day and that alone is why reds fans hold him in the highest regard.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos – Eyebrows were justifiably raised when the Greek defender was signed up from AEK Athens at the start of the season. The veteran defender signed a two-year deal which temporarily ended Rafa’s search for a replacement for the departing Sami Hyypia. The defender made his reds debut in the 3-2 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium back in September. Despite fears about his given potential after a mixed spell at Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers, Kyrgiakos has enjoyed a good first season in the Liverpool squad putting in a number of assured displays including netting a goal in the 1-1 draw with Stoke. Unfortunately the Greek was sent off in the 1-0 win over Everton but overall he has had a decent season.
Daniel Agger – The Dane is fast becoming a fan favourite on Merseyside, and is becoming an ever present in the Liverpool side, which he might have become a lot sooner had it not been for a number of injuries which have hampered his Liverpool career. Strong, versatile and attack-minded, Agger gives Rafa Benitez a new dimension as he is Liverpool’s most offensive centre-half. The Dane also made his 100th competitive appearance for the club in the 2-1 victory over Blackburn at Anfield back in February. Has also shown his versatility this season by filling in at left-back in the absence of Emiliano Insua and Fabio Aurelio.
Emiliano Insua – It has undoubtedly been a long hard season for the young Argentinean defender who has had a mixed campaign. The defender was thrown in at the deep end when, despite a lack of experience, he was asked to fill the void left by the injured Fabio Aurelio and the departing Andrea Dossena which he has done marvellously. Insua has put in a number of assured performances throughout the campaign and gets forward at every given opportunity. He has been criticised however for a noticeable lack of pace and he does on numerous occasions get beaten by the more established wingers in the Premier League. Given time however he will no doubt become an integral part of the Liverpool side.
Do you agree? Please feel free to comment below.
My sum – Johnson’s defensive duties suck but his contribtuion going forward is good. Insua is so short of pace that liverpool’s right left side is always exploited, so too Johnson’s side. The Greek played well so far and he’s useful against tall strikers.Agger turning into a Hansen like man in the middle, cool and can venture up north in search or supporting goals. Carra is still tops in defence. I want to comment on SG our inspiritional leader who lost his way this season and was not able to lead but was led by the rest. Myprays for us to come together to forge a new spirit. Coming from where I am in Singapore, when liverpool visited last year to this part of South-east Asia, I was not impressed with the pre-season games pool and it showed in the season so far. Nevermind, pick up and go go go YNWA.
I don’t think Emiliano Insua will ever become an integral part of our side, unless we settle for mid-table from now on. He may be better suited for such a team and it may have helped him, had he spent a season in the Championship, but I don’t believe he will ever be considered good enough for a team trying to win something.
Insua integral part!! What the author is trying to say a boy in 20’s can no longer get more fast. He can only improve on his game sense but not the speed, his lack of speed will be exploited by every winger next season around. We want a decent left back with a little bit of height speed and game sense, in some of the games the opponent forward attacked through left wing as they knew that insua lacks height as well as pace.
What About our Number 37 Martin Skrtel ??
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