It’s tough this time of year for news; there isn’t a great deal going on until the transfer window opens but this year it’s even worse. With the weather caking most grounds in snow and ice and games being cancelled left and right there aren’t even any performances or results to dissect! So, as we approach the half way point of the season I’m going to look at Liverpool’s top 5 performers over the first half of the season (tough, I know):
5. Sotirios Kyrgiakos – The big Greek has somewhat split opinion (but then, don’t all new Liverpool players these days?) since his arrival under Benitez. It is easy to understand, in some ways, as the Greeks aren’t exactly renowned for producing top-class players. However, in the absence of Sami Hyypia, Kyrgiakos has stepped in a number of times this season and reminded us what it’s like to have a central defender that can actually head the ball. He has put in solid performances in every game he’s been called into this season and chipped in with one or two goals as well.
4. Raul Meireles – The last time Liverpool signed a Portuguese international, he enjoyed a mixed spell at Liverpool. In honesty, the only reason Abel Xavier was given as much time to settle in as he was (despite ultimately being credited as a failure) came down to the fact that we ‘poached’ him from Everton. No such controversy surrounded Meireles’ signing however, other than the fact that some claim that Roy Hodgson knew nothing about him and, in fact, used Benitez’s old scouting reports in his decision to sign him. Well, Hodgson may well have stumbled across one of the few good decisions he’s made since he took over in the summer. Meireles has been a solid player since he signed; fitting in where asked and just doing the job asked of him. In the last month though, in the absence of the Captain, Raul has slipped himself into a higher gear. It’s no surprise though, given that he is now playing in his favoured position. With a solid first half of the season tucked away; with a few more goals and a full season under his belt, we will surely see the best of Meireles next year.
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This week it is Liverpool WAG Alex Curran!
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I notice the primadonna highearners Carragher, Kuyt, Gerrard and Torres are not included in this list, what a surprise! Reina has left in 22 goals in the premier league so far this season-that is really the form of the so-called best goalie in the world. If Lucas is the best player so far this season than it is no wonder the club is in a mess, he is the closest thing the club has to the invisible man. This guy couldn’t even cope with Newcastle’s worldclass midfield.
Well if you cannot see the improvement he as shown then either you do not go the game or so bias in your opinion that no matter what he does he will not get the credit he deserves.
And remember this is the player who got openly boo’ed by the likes of you but still put’s head down and trains hard for the club.
Maybe you should show the same commitment in supporting or atleast look support up in the dictionary to see what support means.
@kenny Lucas easily best player this year, FACT!
In response to B2D and Turks, Lucas did not score one goal in the Premier League last season, he has not scored one goal in the Premier League this season. You say he trains very hard, so what isn’t every player supposed to do that. He was brushed aside at Stoke and in every game where the opposition increase the physical stakes. Turks says that Lucas is easily the best player this season so far, lets be honest their isn’t much competition in the squad for that honour.
he was better than gerrard last season as well.
Great article David, spot on too! Could not agree more with your Christmas review.
I hope we see players like Kelly and Pacheco performing as well in the rest of the season – and hopefully seeing a revival of talented and important players like Stevie G., Fernando and Agger.
Reina has not been at his best this season by his own high standards. Recently, against Newcastle he should have been braver and saved from Barton and was beaten a long way out by Carol. Against Steaua he split the ball inexplicably.
After Man Utd’s draw with Birmingham Liverpool are the equivalent of 13 points behind Utd. In 1989 Liverpool pulled back a 13 point lead on Arsenal. Instead of Liverpool concentrating on rubbish like the Europa League and FA Cup Liverpool should push on and win the Premier League this season.
dreamer, nothing but a dreamer.
and a know nothing about football as well.
It is apparent that many fans have been a little hasty in criticizing Lucas and Ngog i have always been a fan of Ngog but not Lucas.
It is a testimony to Lucas Ngog and Soto that they have been able to put their heads down and tails up despite criticism.
In response to LOSER dj, go off and support the likes of Aston Villa. You clearly have a inferiority complex with Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, BOLTON, SUNDERLAND, BLACKPOOL, NEWCASTLE.
In response to dj about Lucas, so you rate a guy who scored no goals in the Premier League last season, are you sure it is not yourself that knows nothing about football? With so-called unambitious fans like you no wonder the club has not won the title since 1990.
Writing with crayons again I see, I’ve obviously hit on a raw nerve there. Sensitive are we.
Look at the managers who pick him for club and country, and some of the clubs interested in signing him. There must be a reason.
Do you ever look further than the end of your nose, or are you only influenced by the media? You’re the type of supporter who can’t think for himself and needs to be told what to think. Maybe it’s you who should support another team, because LFC doesn’t need idiotic know nothings like you supporting them. Happy new year you donkey fart.
In response to dj you must be overjoyed with yet another brilliant performance by Lucas tonight. T
Dj, you seem to rate Hodgson as one of these top managers who pick Lucas in their team.