One of the most perplexing mysteries to Liverpool’s start to the season for me is Roy Hodgson’s inability to see the talents of one Daniel Agger. Although Agger has been injured for a large part of this season, when the Dane has been fit he has either been used as a sub or out of position at left back. Roy may argue that he has had no choice but to pick the 25 year old out of position this season with injuries to Fabio Aurelio and the lack of adequate back up before the arrival of Paul Konchesky, but it is obvious that if Roy rated him as a centre back, he would have switched Agger from left back and played either Martin Kelly or another player in the position.
When a left back was fit and Agger was in contention though, Roy opted to start Martin Skrtel instead of him and was given a place on the bench. Agger was then subsequently picked to play in Europa League matches rather than at the weekend in the Premier League. Certainly his comments to the Danish media didn’t help which criticised Roy’s tactics, and although the remarks were taken out of context, it certainly wouldn’t have endeared him to the new manager.
I have consistently said he is our best defender by quite a distance, although Soto’s recent performances for the Reds are giving the Dane a good run for his money. Unlike the rest of our centre backs, he is very comfortably with the ball at his feet, capable of firing long range pile drivers, passing short to a team mates or clearing the ball long when in possession. He proved his worth for me during his first full season at the club, helping Liverpool to their second Champions League final in three years.
After making the £5million move to Anfield from Brondby, he impressed during the 2006/07 campaign. He played 43 matches during the season; his most in one season to date, and formed a very strong partnership alongside Jamie Carragher in the middle of the Liverpool defence. Consistently strong in the tackle and positionally aware, he helped guide Liverpool to another European Cup final; certainly no mean feat considering it was his first full season at the club.
Although he made an error in the semi final first leg against Chelsea by allowing Didier Drogba to ghost past him to provide the assist for the only goal of the game, he certainly made up for the mistake as he blasted a goal from a free kick just outside the penalty box in the early minutes of the second leg to level the tie at 1-1. A goal which would prove crucial as the match went to extra time and penalties before the Reds won the shootout.
Such achievements should give Agger at least some recognition from Roy Hodgson but we will have to wait and see when the Dane returns from injury if he is picked. If he isn’t and is consistently left on the bench by Roy then I fear the 25 year old will want out in January. With reports that Tottenham and Arsenal are waiting in the wings to snap up the player, I really hope that he gets another chance in the first team to prove his worth and to finally put to the bed any rumours of a move away from Anfield.
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STELLA WDM RESULTS
I hate to say it, but I think if Roy is still manager come january, he’ll be off. It really is mistifying, he IS our best defender.
Naturally he will be off. He is too good for Hodgson so must go!
“We are focused on getting the club positioned to win trophies within the Financial Fair Play rules that are being imposed next year”, is a quote from Henry. I have one question with reference to it.
Does he understand we are already in that quote? Does he also understand that the manager he swears to Heaven by has sold a couple who are ” home grown ” already? Does he understand that same managwer is probably about to sell another couple after loaning them out?
It seems Henry is as obtuse as he!
roy h is a idiot not to pick agger ahead of skirtle,roy seems to be loaning out or getting rid of some good players and sticking with less talented players.
I dont understand!!!!!!???????
The most important thing for us is for the Dagger to regain full fitness and for our medical team to get to the heart of his recurring injuries.
One thing that’s NOT helping is being played out of position, especially the more demanding role of a full back. This one requires a young runner, not unlike Insua, Kelly or Darby. The CB helps read the game and initiate attacks like our pairings of old (Hansen-Lawro, Hyypia-Henchoz, etc) The marauding threat of the Maicons is best left to others and in this regard Rodge’s hurting Agger.
What concerns me about our Dane is the same one I have for Pacheco. Will they ultimately lose their playing joy and opt out of LFC, only to shine for another club? That would be as close to tragic as I can think.
Soto’s not bad at all, just different. He helps us in certain kinds of attacking, especially fairly static (set pieces), and against more physical teams, but we need Agger’s culture for bigger opponents. The Skrtel-Soto combo works well, in the same way a big striker (say Crouch or Zigic) works with a smaller foil like Defoe. Skrtel picks up the scraps that result from Soto’s tackling, but it can’t work for us in all games.
Why did we bother working so hard to retain world class talent like Agger’s, a player who clearly loves Anfield, only to waste him when not injured?
Totally 🙁
Get Rafa, our greatest manager for 20 years back as boss. Join the Facebook group ‘we want Rafa back at Liverpool FC.
Do it today and pass it on. He deserves our loyalty.
not only is the fool gonna sell agger but it’s reported that £7m YES £7m will be enough to buy Lfc’s best defender, SURELY he’s worth at least £15m! but we should be looking to keep hold of players like this not giving them away!
oh and as for Phill………..WISE UP MAN! why would we want him, his flip-flops or his sugar-coated priests back? bring in martin o’neil on his usual rolling contract and if he can’t get us out of this mess, then replace him in the summer with frank ryjkaard, at least mart would instill some enthusiasm and passion unlike old ‘rub the chin’ roy