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Rating the Reds: Defence

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Skrtel Johnson LFCTHE 2012/13 season is in the history books and what better way to cap it than with an overly simplistic grading system of Liverpool’s players based on their performances this season?

In part one we take a look at how our goalkeepers and defenders have fared in Brendan Rodgers’ first season at Anfield.

Pepe Reina – The second half of the season saw Reina recapture something close to his best form.

After two or three seasons in the doldrums is was refreshing to see Reina again looking steady and assured in Liverpool’s goal.

There have, inevitably, been some costly mistakes, especially in the early part of the season, but his improvement has been obvious. His distribution has, as always, been excellent and if Barcelona do manage to take him back to Catalonia this summer then Liverpool will be losing a leader as well as an excellent goalkeeper. B

Brad Jones – Everyone knows that Brad Jones will never be good enough to be Liverpool’s number one and many feel he isn’t of the requisite level to even be back up in this squad but on the whole he has acquitted himself well this season. The horror show at Oldham apart, Jones has deputised adequately for Reina. Signed a new contract recently which suggests the club have more faith in him than many supporters seem to. C-

Glen Johnson – For 5 months he was Liverpool’s stand out player alongside Luis Suarez. He adapted to Brendan Rodgers’ style of play seamlessly and has relished his more advanced role. Constantly bombing up the right wing all season long, he was a key offensive weapon for the Reds.

His performance levels dipped in the latter stages of the season but perhaps that was through being over-played. Liverpool’s right side has at times been almost solely dependent on Johnson and, on the whole, he has done a fantastic job. B

Martin Kelly – Injury against Manchester United early in the season cruelly curtailed his season. Had made a decent start to life under the new manager and his loss was felt when Johnson’s form dipped as Liverpool had little in the way of cover in the right back position.

A more than useful squad player who is in desperate need of a season free of injury in order to fulfil his obvious promise. N/A
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Daniel Agger – Hasn’t scaled the heights that he is capable of this term but remains Liverpool’s best centre-half. Had a patchy spell in the middle of the season when he was responsible for several goals conceded from set-pieces but his form improved significantly when paired with Jamie Carragher.

Crucial to Rodgers as he is Liverpool’s only central defender who is totally comfortable playing out from the back. His previously wretched injury record has been improved upon this season. Needs a dominant, vocal presence next to him in the future as his leadership qualities remain in question. C+

Martin Skrtel – From Liverpool’s player of the season to bench warmer in just six months. Skrtel’s form has nose dived alarmingly this season and his inept displays against Aston Villa and Oldham where he was bullied into submission sealed his fate. He was dropped for Jamie Carragher and was wretched when recalled against Southampton. Likely to leave in the summer which is a shame given how impressive he was last year. D

Jamie Carragher – Out of the side until after Christmas, Carra came in and even at the age of 35 made an extremely positive contribution. Liverpool only lost one league game that he started after he was reinstated to the starting eleven back in January and his leadership, commitment and solidity was evident.

An emotional send off to a phenomenal career was nearly capped with a thunderous wonder goal at the Kop end against Aston Villa. He will be sorely missed and will take some replacing. B

Sebastian Coates – The forgotten man. Has hardly figured again this season and you have to wonder what the future holds for the imposing Uruguayan. He has only made five league appearances for the Reds under Rodgers and given his overall lack of game time since he joined the club it would seem logical that he will be moved on in the summer.

A loan move may be considered as Coates does have potential, but his career is stalling at Anfield right now. N/A

Jose Enrique – Much maligned but Enrique has bounced back well after his poor end to last season. While his end product is often lacking and his technique isn’t too easy on the eye, he has been extremely dependable for Liverpool. Not too often has he had wingers run past him this season and defensively he has been sound.

Lacks the guile and attacking threat of Johnson that Liverpool perhaps require going forward but his application and dependability are huge assets for the Reds. B
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5 comments

  • Tinker's Cuss says:

    Wisdom? He should be included, for his performances at his age he gets an A, or if judging on equal criteria, probably a B.
    Coates gets a D-, because at his age/price he should be challenging for starts.

  • TaintlessRed says:

    Nice article. I agree with most of you’re assessments, though would be marginally different on ratings.
    Reina: B- better than last season, finishing strongly, but still made plenty of errors earlier in the season
    Agger: C+ excellent fitness but from the first game when he was rightly sent off and cost us the game he was regular out of position loosing his man. Good on the ball as always.
    Skrtle : D very poor, struggled to adapt to passing game. Rightly dropped
    Kelly: n/a hopefully back next season
    Wisdom : B+ did really well as a youngster playing in a struggling side in an unfamiliar position. Needs more offensive endeavour to be a better eight back
    Johnson B+ his best season and our best defensive player (though not our best defender) last season
    Carragher :B much better than Skrtle and we markedly improved when he came back. Still did make a few errors – his back pass mistake cost us Europa league progress

  • Steven says:

    Skrtel D,coates f,johnson C,enrìque,B,agger D,caragher C,wisdom C

  • Stan says:

    Rodgers has botched the defense. They were all good b4 he came

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