It’s been a long time coming (and I’m certain I can’t be the only one who’s been waiting to see it) but in the past five games, we’ve finally had a glimpse of what we can expect from the Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel pairing.
Since Sami Hyypia left the club almost 2 seasons ago, I’ve been eager to see these two partnering up. For the best part of the time since then though, Carragher has been preferred to both and it tends to be a case of ‘who will play with Carragher’? Even after Hodgson became manager he would prefer Kyrgiakos (who I think very highly of) to either of these two. And while it’s unfortunate that Jamie should get a long term injury, it might not have been a bad thing necessarily in the long term. As it gives these young centre backs the chance to have a proper spell in the team together and for Liverpool, that can only be a positive thing.
The reason I’m so keen on these two is two-fold. Firstly, I believe – wholeheartedly – that separately, they are two of the finest young centre backs in English football. Together, they could be very formidable because they both bring something different to the table. Agger, being the more naturally talented of the two, is a top footballer; he could easily play central midfield with the same level of style and assurance. He is strong and fast and has the technical ability required for a top defender these days. As for Skrtel, he brings a distinctly different flavour to the partnership, being the more ‘physical’ of the two, he adds the necessary steel to the equation: hard tackling and aggressive aerial ability. With more games together and more experience they are going to be, potentially, one of the best centre back partnerships around.
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THE FOX
You are 100% right about Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.
Both are useless. Agger has a permenant back problem. If we can get any money for him in the summer, I’d snatch their hand off.
I’ve never seen a pair of c/backs that can’t win a ball in the air.
To gauge how poor they really are, name me a team they would get in, in the top 6.
Can’t can you.
@ Balfy
Well as I said, I know it wont happen, at least not til agger gets injured again and Skertel takes a knock at the same time.
I don’t personally see whats wrong with a bit of experimenting for the rest of whats been a season to forget. I think Kelly and Carra would comliment eachother well and Kelly would benifit hugely from Carra’s experience. He’s our futur CB for years to come. We just need a long term partner for him. Its not Agger who’s ‘Style’ is more suited to spanish or italian league. You canot build a CB pairing around an injury prone player. Full stop. He’s gettin as bad as Aurelio, and thats BAD.
How vunerable did we look in the air last night everytime a ball came into the box ? Our CB pairing is all over the shop and even Pepe is starting to flap at one or two which shows you how much confidence he has in them !!
To get back to the main point of the article.. DREAM PAIRING FOR 7-8 YEARS.. I don’t see it. I don’t even see half of a drem pairing !!
i can name 180 teams they’d get in, unfortunately all the teams are in other countries and if we could find better replacements thats exactly were they would be ,but we have no better at the mo’ so stop whining about how crap they are and give them some encouragement , you never know if some people actually gave them support it might be enough to get them to pull their fingers out and play like we know they can as in 2009 ,they were good enough for you all then and playing under both rafa and roy since that time their confidence has been shot to pieces by being both injured and both played sparingly when fit ,give them a chance to get it together cos we ain’t buyin any new centrebacks til’ the summer,
SUPPORT THE GUYS WHOEVER PLAYS OR F***OFF AND FOLLOW A TEAM THAT WINS EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
ME I’LL SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ALL LFC PLAYERS TIL’ I DROP DEAD NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE COS I WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TEAM AND CLUB NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR ME IMMEDIATELY
YNWA
Both Skrtel and Agger are still relatively young and still have at least 6-7 years at the top level. We can do with Skrtel and Agger for the time being until we get a top quality centre back in the summer, someone who’s also strong in the air. Skrtel is strong and aggresive defensively while Agger is good with the ball but they look shaky dealing with balls in the air. Against teams like Stoke we’re gonna get F***ED when all they do is get balls into our penalty area. Agger is class and you don’t see many defenders who can distribute the ball so well at the back. Skrtel needs to get his act together cause he’s been awful this season. Kyrgiakos should be used against physical teams like Stoke to deal with balls in the air. Carragher is past it and should only play when his experience is needed and he can also help developing the younger defenders like Ayala, Kelly and Wilson. For me, Wilson is not ready yet and it will be another 2 years before he’s ready for the first team. Ayala should be given a chance in the first team and the guy is for sure one for the future. We can stick with Skrtel and Agger for now but we need a quality centre back in the summer.
whatever happens let’s just hope none of them leaves cause then we’ll be in trouble can’t get good cover with aging carra and kyrgiakos while danny has yet to make his first run and ayala doesn’t play a lot in firt team!!! these guys are good in fact pairing them them gives a glimpse of hyypia-henchoz style but with more pace and shooting ability so they are the good for the job just give king k some time and they’ll be magical out there!!!
@rob
well that told us mate. Unfortunately the Internet allows people like you tell me what I should or should not go and do and judge my support for a team I have supported for about 35 years at this point. The point of the conversation that you joined was an answer to the slightly bizarre title of the blog. This was not about selling players but turned into a debate about our defense. The players won’t get offended and we all love and support LFC. Our defenders can’t win headers and hoping they will come good might not help. I still watch all our games and hope for the best. In Kenny I trust cos he was my childhood hero and I already see improvement. But let’s just blindly hope together shall we Rob and let’s not question anything or share an opinion.
I believe Rafa bought in Skrtel to play in his side and seemed to make less mistakes when they used zonal marking.
I believe he may now be better suited elsewhere Agger i am unsure of great player but not on the park often enough.
Carra is getting on it is getting to the stage where they need a replacement Ayala and Wilson are not ready yet.