Liverpool FC Forum

[tubby]

We definatley need to tie him down to a new contract. For me he is better than Skrtl and he at least poses some goal threat. If Carra or Skrtl got injured then at least we would have cover as good as them. Rafa should play him in the the Carling Cup games.

[maguskwt]

A bit of news regarding Agger:

Benitez plans Agger offer
Liverpool boss thinking about new deal for centre-back
Last updated: 23rd September 2008

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he intends to offer centre-back Daniel Agger a new contract at Anfield.

The Denmark international has 18 months remaining on his current deal on Merseyside and has yet to be offered new terms.

Agger missed almost all of last season with a foot injury and he has since been unable to dislodge Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel from Benitez's regular first-team plans.

The 23-year-old has been included in the Reds' UEFA Champions League squad ahead of veteran Sami Hyypia and, after seeing his side begin the group stages with a victory in Marseille last week, Benitez has revealed he is eager to secure Agger's services for the long-term.

"I was on the flight to Marseille last week and thinking about how we needed to offer him (Agger) a new contract," Benitez said in the Daily Mirror.

Impress
And Benitez is set to give Agger the chance to impress against Crewe in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

"I've been talking to Daniel and he is ready, focused and really happy here," Benitez added.

"I'm really pleased with him and have a lot of confidence in him, but he knows Carra and Skrtel are playing well and that maybe he needs to wait because the understanding between them has been good.

"I have said Daniel is one of the best centre-backs we have when he is fit and, if he is, it will be difficult for me.

"He is a very good attacking centre-back when we are playing at Anfield, but he needs games."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4183848,00.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully we get him tied down to a new contract soon, as he very much represents the future of LFC imo (aswell as the present of course ).

I think this is a bit premature from Rafa...The guy has the hump 'cos he's not in the first team, is spouting off about not getting first team opportunities etc....What - does he think he has a God-given right to walk back into the first team when others have covered admirably in his absence ?...Smacks a bit of Pennant-itis....
Danny - earn your stripes all over again. THEN, we should look at a new contract...
Man, the greed in football makes me sick....

Err... when exactly has Agger done any of that  . I would be very interested to see some direct quotes of him "spouting off about not getting first team opportunities" for instance.

precisely... we need to tie down a talented CB like agger to us. What rafa is doing is correct IMO.. there's only 18 months left on the contract... rafa's only showing the guy is wanted in the team so that we don't lose another talented player to our rivals...

[Zidane]

hopefully he plays today.

[Rush Job]

So anyone seen this goal then?

[maguskwt]

So anyone seen this goal then?

supposedly from a free kick...


but agger looks thin now... what's happened to him...

[LFC1982]

So anyone seen this goal then?

supposedly from a free kick...


but agger looks thin now... what's happened to him...

It was on sky sports news, drilled into bottom left hand corner......great strike and good to see him getting some game time.

[bunglemark2]

A bit of news regarding Agger:

Benitez plans Agger offer
Liverpool boss thinking about new deal for centre-back
Last updated: 23rd September 2008

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he intends to offer centre-back Daniel Agger a new contract at Anfield.

The Denmark international has 18 months remaining on his current deal on Merseyside and has yet to be offered new terms.

Agger missed almost all of last season with a foot injury and he has since been unable to dislodge Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel from Benitez's regular first-team plans.

The 23-year-old has been included in the Reds' UEFA Champions League squad ahead of veteran Sami Hyypia and, after seeing his side begin the group stages with a victory in Marseille last week, Benitez has revealed he is eager to secure Agger's services for the long-term.

"I was on the flight to Marseille last week and thinking about how we needed to offer him (Agger) a new contract," Benitez said in the Daily Mirror.

Impress
And Benitez is set to give Agger the chance to impress against Crewe in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

"I've been talking to Daniel and he is ready, focused and really happy here," Benitez added.

"I'm really pleased with him and have a lot of confidence in him, but he knows Carra and Skrtel are playing well and that maybe he needs to wait because the understanding between them has been good.

"I have said Daniel is one of the best centre-backs we have when he is fit and, if he is, it will be difficult for me.

"He is a very good attacking centre-back when we are playing at Anfield, but he needs games."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4183848,00.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully we get him tied down to a new contract soon, as he very much represents the future of LFC imo (aswell as the present of course ).

I think this is a bit premature from Rafa...The guy has the hump 'cos he's not in the first team, is spouting off about not getting first team opportunities etc....What - does he think he has a God-given right to walk back into the first team when others have covered admirably in his absence ?...Smacks a bit of Pennant-itis....
Danny - earn your stripes all over again. THEN, we should look at a new contract...
Man, the greed in football makes me sick....

Err... when exactly has Agger done any of that  . I would be very interested to see some direct quotes of him "spouting off about not getting first team opportunities" for instance.

You're right there mate...I haven't actually quoted him verbatim here following a taped conversation with him. Duh ! That said, it was reported on Sky Sports and in one of the newspapers from his hime country, the last time he was away on international duty. There again I don't have the links to post here...
So I guess I must have made it all up, eh ?

[JamCar05]

A bit of news regarding Agger:

Benitez plans Agger offer
Liverpool boss thinking about new deal for centre-back
Last updated: 23rd September 2008

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he intends to offer centre-back Daniel Agger a new contract at Anfield.

The Denmark international has 18 months remaining on his current deal on Merseyside and has yet to be offered new terms.

Agger missed almost all of last season with a foot injury and he has since been unable to dislodge Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel from Benitez's regular first-team plans.

The 23-year-old has been included in the Reds' UEFA Champions League squad ahead of veteran Sami Hyypia and, after seeing his side begin the group stages with a victory in Marseille last week, Benitez has revealed he is eager to secure Agger's services for the long-term.

"I was on the flight to Marseille last week and thinking about how we needed to offer him (Agger) a new contract," Benitez said in the Daily Mirror.

Impress
And Benitez is set to give Agger the chance to impress against Crewe in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

"I've been talking to Daniel and he is ready, focused and really happy here," Benitez added.

"I'm really pleased with him and have a lot of confidence in him, but he knows Carra and Skrtel are playing well and that maybe he needs to wait because the understanding between them has been good.

"I have said Daniel is one of the best centre-backs we have when he is fit and, if he is, it will be difficult for me.

"He is a very good attacking centre-back when we are playing at Anfield, but he needs games."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4183848,00.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hopefully we get him tied down to a new contract soon, as he very much represents the future of LFC imo (aswell as the present of course ).

I think this is a bit premature from Rafa...The guy has the hump 'cos he's not in the first team, is spouting off about not getting first team opportunities etc....What - does he think he has a God-given right to walk back into the first team when others have covered admirably in his absence ?...Smacks a bit of Pennant-itis....
Danny - earn your stripes all over again. THEN, we should look at a new contract...
Man, the greed in football makes me sick....

Err... when exactly has Agger done any of that  . I would be very interested to see some direct quotes of him "spouting off about not getting first team opportunities" for instance.

You're right there mate...I haven't actually quoted him verbatim here following a taped conversation with him. Duh ! That said, it was reported on Sky Sports and in one of the newspapers from his hime country, the last time he was away on international duty. There again I don't have the links to post here...
So I guess I must have made it all up, eh ?

Not saying that at all mate. I'm just refering to the fact, that in those articles you mention, he doesn't actually come across anything like you portray him (i.e. not like a spoiled brat). Basically it's just the papers/websites making up a story, because he hasn't played much recently and will soon be able to buy out his own contract, to which suggestion he simply answered, that he knew about the rule but wasn't prepared to comment any further about it. So it seems you have jumped to quite a few conclusions based on a couple of stories, in which Agger himself isn't actually quoted saying anything even remotely controversial. So back at ya good sir.

[Ciggy]

Looks like Rafa is looking for a new centre half

Liverpool To Make January Move For Brazilian Prodigy Aislan?
Submitted by Jake Briggs on Wed, 2008-09-24 15:01. Liverpool Premier League Transfer News
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is considering another move for Brazilian central-defender Aislan of Sao Paulo, after missing out on the talented defender during the summer, according to reports.

20-year-old Aislan has been at the Tricolor Paulista since 2003 and despite only making a handful of senior appearances for the Brazilian club already has a release clause of £10.5million in his contract at the Morumbi.

The Reds made an initial approach to bring Aislan to the Premier League during the summer, but this failed to materialise due to the window closing before a deal could be struck to bring the defender to Anfield, according to Aislan’s agent Paolino Oscar.

“They had revealed interest in the past one or two months, when the window was open,” Oscar told UOL Esporte.

“Now, I find that it was more difficult because everything is closed in Europe.”

However, Oscar also revealed that Aislan would not hand in a transfer request and that any move for the defender would have to come from the Merseyside club, with it then up to Sao Paulo to decide if they want to sell one of the brightest talents at the club.

“It is in Sao Paulo’s hands and it is they who decide. If Aislan is told to leave, very well. If not, that is good also.

“I have respect for Sao Paulo and I do not do blackmail, therefore it is the club who must make the primary move."

Should Aislan join the Premier League side in the January transfer window, he would join countrymen Lucas Leiva, Fabio Aurelio and Diego Cavalieri at Anfield.
http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news....70.html

[skatesy]

Does anyone else think that Agger could fit into a fullback role, playing on the right?

The same thing is going on in my head as it seems is going on in everyone else's head - trying to figure out how to play Carragher, Skrtel and Agger without any of them getting off. Carragher obviously is a given; the situation seems to be a Skrtel vs. Agger.

[bigmick]

I'm not one generally for playing people "out of position" but Agger wouldn't need to be fantastic to give either of our first choice full backs a run for their money. From memory isn't he left sided (could be wrong) in which case he'd be up against Dossena. He'd certainly compare favourably as a footballer to either full-back, I would think he'd have the pace, he would in all probability be better in the air and would probably measure up in one on ones with wingers. Where they always get found out though is the age old connundrum of when to push out and when to tuck in. It's this positional nouse that you need to be a good full-back.

Finnan for example was pretty average in every way but always got himself into the right areas. If you can do that you're three quarters of the way there but it isn't easy, I had a go at left-back myself and couldn't get the hang of it really.

It's not though a ridiculous suggestion by any means IMHO, although any attempts to squeeze Agger into the line up ahead of specialists would probably be based upon a memory of his form of twelve months ago rather than anything he's shown since he came back from his lengthly lay off.

[skatesy]

any attempts to squeeze Agger into the line up ahead of specialists would probably be based upon a memory of his form of twelve months ago rather than anything he's shown since he came back from his lengthly lay off.

I think that is a good conclusion of this whole thing, in general, really. At the end of the day, if Agger is not performing as well as the others who are in his "favoured" position then he is just going to have to sit on the sidelines. It is a shame, really, considering his performance prior to his lay off. And I think that because the majority of fans still have his previous performances in our head, it is tough to see him sitting on the sideline.

No blind eye to Skrtel either as I believe he has been great as a centre-back and, frankly, considering his performance there he should be considered one of the main guys there anyway.

[Toffeehater]

I think both you and mick have made some very good points . Dan Agger is a good player but after his injury he has not looked as solid compared to skrtel who's been an absolute rock at the back . I would like to see Agger given a go at the left back position , dossena has been fairly average so far so if maybe another 3 to 5 games more he does not start picking up the pace , i'd think rafa has wasted money and should have kept JAR .

[LegBarnes]

I think both you and mick have made some very good points . Dan Agger is a good player but after his injury he has not looked as solid compared to skrtel who's been an absolute rock at the back . I would like to see Agger given a go at the left back position , dossena has been fairly average so far so if maybe another 3 to 5 games more he does not start picking up the pace , i'd think rafa has wasted money and should have kept JAR .

Yes i agree dosser As I like to call him hasn't lived up to his hype in Italy but then agian which player does over there.

But it easy to look back now and say we should have keep JAR but I think rafa did right thing just it didn't work out well for him (so far) , but who knows he might come good and if he don't we might see him leave as early as Jan(its always an option , more so if we have new owners).

I liked JAR but he did lack pass and couldn't take on players which I feel rafa needs in his system.

Dosser seems like he can take people on but can't defend to save his life (well ok a bit harsh but he really isn't that good).

I think he could be a good left midfielder but wasn't that JARs problem he was a lefty defender/midfielder.

I personaly still feel we need a real left back not a hybred one that specs in attacking like a full back does to have pace , good crossing , able to defend and take players on now and agian.

I feel Dosser don't have that so who could we get if we had the money in Jan . 

[aCe']

I'm not one generally for playing people "out of position" but Agger wouldn't need to be fantastic to give either of our first choice full backs a run for their money. From memory isn't he left sided (could be wrong) in which case he'd be up against Dossena. He'd certainly compare favourably as a footballer to either full-back, I would think he'd have the pace, he would in all probability be better in the air and would probably measure up in one on ones with wingers. Where they always get found out though is the age old connundrum of when to push out and when to tuck in. It's this positional nouse that you need to be a good full-back.

Finnan for example was pretty average in every way but always got himself into the right areas. If you can do that you're three quarters of the way there but it isn't easy, I had a go at left-back myself and couldn't get the hang of it really.

It's not though a ridiculous suggestion by any means IMHO, although any attempts to squeeze Agger into the line up ahead of specialists would probably be based upon a memory of his form of twelve months ago rather than anything he's shown since he came back from his lengthly lay off.

mmm... i suppose you didnt get the chance to watch the crewe game.. he was solid defensively to say the least but what really stood out yet again was his ability on the ball.. his going forward is top class for a centerback and he often pushes forward from the left side which made me think hed be a great option down the left... he has a great shot on him and he always seems to open up spaces for other players when he goes forward... he doesnt bomb forward like dossena does ... but then again is that a bad thing ? his crossing is better than dossenas im sure and his long passes and creativity on the ball are way better than dossenas too.. ur right about the positiong part.. thats my main criticism of agger playing center back and might be the only reason he wouldnt make that good a leftback..
centerback: hes simply not commanding enough.. even when he had his 'good spell' last year i always thought his positiong wasnt that great and he'd never make a great centerback unless he improves on that, his aerial ability isnt all that good either !

dossena is an average left back at best and while many might argue that u dont need 11 brilliant starters to win the league , i think that the only reason he's looked somewhat a decent player this season is because our left midfielders and keane have been working hard to press teams down that side thereby giving him all the time and space in the world.. defensively he looks poor...going forward he seems to run into players rather than past them.. his crossing is awful to say the least..etc etc

Aurelio is way better than dossena in every single way but i still think that if agger is given a chance in that position he can prove to be a great lft back since he seems to have all the right attributes...

Another point... Riera seems the kind of player who would rather take on a fullback and go cross from the byline rather than pick out an overlaping fullback... not saying thats a good or bad thing but certainly given that id rather have a fullback who overlaps deeper inside (arrives later aswell) the pitch rather than outside the winger.. agger is that kind of player imo.. dossena most certainly isnt... i think agger in that position can popup with a few goals and with his long range shooting ability he'd be a good attacking option as well as being immense in terms of defensive ability for a fullback... chivu ? maldini ? maybe better quality players but he's certainly the same type of player !