Liverpool FC Forum

by **JBG** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:21 pm

stu_the_red wrote:Fickle and knowledgeless.

Stu, is there no end to your ego?

by **115-1073096938** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 4:08 pm

by **115-1073096938** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 4:13 pm

What we need to correct immediately is the lack of speed and strenght in key areas. We also need players with more creativity and flair. I know Benitez is smart, and I trust him to select a proper formation and gameplan. This was Foullier's biggest weakness. Just by doing so we will earn 10 - 15 points more this season. By the way, from all Houllier's purchases did any player have above average pace? I only see Kewell and Pongolle. Below average pace: Hyypia, Henchoz, Murphy, Diao, Diomede, Cheyrou, Sjolund. When we play top teams we simply can't handle their pace. This is a major concern.

Baros, Heskey, Riise, Traore, Pongolle, Kewell, Song, Zeige, Cisse...

by **JBG** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 7:06 pm

My two cents:

Jerzy Dudek: decent keeper with plenty of experience. On his day as good a shot stopper as any in the Premiership. Prefers to punch crosses/corners to catching them. Had an excellent first season with Liverpool, followed by a dire spell in the middle of 2002/03. When the defence in front of him fails, Dudek looks shaky. Occsionally can let a pile driver from distance whizz past him, and has been known to unnecessarily spill a few daisy cutters into the path of unrushing forwards. A confidence player, which is not what you want in a goalkeeper. Had a much better, if unspectacular year last season. Still a good player, but his position could be under threat at Liverpool.

Chris Kirkland: Big man in the old fashioned British keeper mould. Prefers to catch the ball to punching. Decent shot stopper. Very long kick outs. Strong minded lad compared to Dudek. Still largely an unknown quantity. Unfortunate with injuries, which must worry him, as every time Houllier gave him a run in the side injury cut short his opportunity to impress. Has been lauded as Liverpool's long term answer in goal, but needs to stay injury free if he is to establish himself at No. 1. Like Dudek, could be under threat from a foreign keeper brought in by Benetiz (Cannizarez?) but more likely to remain at Anfield than Dudek if a new keeper is brought in.

Patrice Luzi Bernardi: Bog standard 3rd choice keeper, largely an unknown quantity. Impressed against Chelsea last year, but the fact Houllier signed Paul Jones rather than play Bernardi when Dudek and Kirkland were injured speaks volumes. Could be ok for a few games, but like Amborisio at Chelsea, is likely to ultimately cost you. His long term position at the club woould be untenable if Benetiz signs a new keeper.

Steve Finnan: Took his time to establish himself as a Premiership player, having slowly worked his way to the top via Notts Co and Fulham. Looked a very good player in his last two seasons at Fulham, where he got up and down the right flank and added support to Tigana's attack. At Fulham he was decent defensively and polished going forward. Last season was a disaster for Steve Finnan, injury ruining his chance of establishing some consistancy, and his head dropped when the team came under pressure. His trademark good first touch and passing/crossing ability abandoned him at times and he ended the season unsatisfactorily. Looked good in his recent games for Ireland and rumour has it that Irish manager Brian Kerr now fancies him ahead of Steven Carr. Deserves a chance to prove himself under Benetiz, and is one of the under achievers who is most likely to come good. However, if he fails next season, his Liverpool career will be finished, given that he is in his late 20s and Benetiz will likely solve what has been a problem position for Liverpool since Babbel's illness.

Marcus Babbel: once one of the best in the world, his serious illness has taken his legs, and was taken to the cleaners by Darius Vassell in one of his last Liverpool appearances more than 18 months ago. Played centre half for Blackburn last year and was merely adequate, his occasional goal for that club from corners glossing over his lack of sharpness in defence. Will almost certainly leave Liverpool to return to Germany this summer. It will be sad to see him go given his brilliant performances in 2000/2001, but he's probably lucky to be playing again after his illness.

Jon Otsembor: Largely an unknown quantity. Got a few games last year where he impressed with his pace and desire to get forward, but he is untested and is difficult to guage how good he is. Question marks hang over his defensive abilities.

Jamie Carragher: A crucial squad member who can fill in across the back four. He doesn't excel in any particular position but won't let the team down when picked. He got a lot of stick playing at right back in 2002/03 when he patently refused to get forward, and strangely seems more effective at left back than right full, despite being a right footed player. However, given the problems across our defence last year, Carragher is not really a plausible long term option at left back. Played centre half for the last half dozen games or so, and apart from being taken apart by Henry at Highbury, he did very well in that position, but again, Carragher and Hyppia together is unlikey to win us Championships. However, will be an extremely useful tool to Benetiz and every great side needs players like Jamie Carragher.

Djimi Traore: Hugely lambasted player, derided by fans and commentators in equal measure. Traore looks dangly and akward, and his positioning sense is all wrong. Can play at left back but prefers centre half, but despite some strong qualities: pace, good in the air and fiercely strong in the tackle, Traore's lack of footballing intelligence costs him dearly. Has improved slightly over the past 18 months, but is very likely to find himself at another club soon.

John Arne Riise: Like Dudek, had a brilliant first season before fading badly. His qualities include a strong tackle, a fantastic engine, decent pace, a good long throw and a hammer like shot. His weaknesses include hesitancy in defence and can regularly be caught out by a ball played in behind him or over his head. When the team struggles Riise tends to lack imagination and will hit aimless long balls down the flanks, needlessly giving away possession. When he plays well Riise likes to push forward, adding to our attack and is dangerous on the edge of the box, given his powerful and accurate shooting. When he plays poorly Riise tends to sit in his own half, holding on to the ball allowing the opposition to regroup, before hitting a long missile forward that bounces out of play or is eaten up by the opposition's centre halves. Hopefully Benetiz will improve his game and we will see the best of Riise again, if he doesn't, chances are he'll be sold in the next 12 months.

Gregory Vignal: his position is unclear at the moment: has he returned from Espanyol? Rarely given a chance under Houllier and his career is now at a cross roads: should he give Anfield one more try or should he cut his losses and move on? Largely an unkown quantity, but he showed some glimpses of promise in his few games, where he looked stronger in defence than Riise and had more accurate passing ability. Unlikely though to resurface in the Liverpool first team.

Sammi Hyppia: one of Houllier's best signings, especially given the money paid for him. A strong leader from the back, who reads the game well and is strong in the air. He can also be a threat to the opposition from corners. Has done well to minimise his principal weakness, which is his patent lack of pace. Another problem under Houllier was Hyppia's modest passing ability, especially given that Hamman, who sits in front of him, regularly shows limited ambition to take the ball off Hyppia. Hyppia performs best when he has a good player alongside him, and for 2 years his partnership with Henchoz was probably the best in the Premiership and one of the best in Europe. However, Hyppia has occasionally struggled since Henchoz's demise, especially when paired with Biscan or Traore. Looked more comfortable when Carragher joined him towards the end of last season. Hyppia probably has a few years left in him yet, but it is crucial that Benetiz finds him a decent partner.

Stephane Henchoz: A great signing by Houllier, who in 2000, 2001 and 2002, looked one of the finest "blood and guts, no frills and no nonsense" defenders in Europe, yet often saw Hyppia receiving the plaudits despite regularly playing better than the Finn. However, things started to slide in late 2002 when he got injured, and his many injuries since have curbed his pace and thus blunted his effectiveness, as his principal strength was being able to track back and make the last gaps block, tackle or clearance. Now that his pace has gone Henchoz looks like an ordinary defender, and he has also lost his place in the Swiss national team. Three years ago Henchoz gave the side absolutely nothing going forward and hasn't a creative bone in his body, yet was probably the best destroyer of opposition attacks in the Premiership. Now that his defensive abilities have waned it is difficult to see where Henchoz can fit in, but in the absence of any decent alternatives we will have to persist with him until Benetiz signs some qaulity defenders.

Igor Biscan: The most derided Liverpool player last season, when Houllier decided that after some modest performances in the reserves, he could turn Biscan into a top class centre half. It was an unmitigated disaster as Liverpool struggled terribly with Biscan in the side. Biscan is not as bad as some people make out, but he is patently not a defender. Sure, he is a big lad, reasonably good in the air, strong and pacy, with plenty of energy and effort, but like Traore, he lacks footballing intelligence, and tends to panic under pressure. Biscan could resurrect himself at a smaller club as a modest midfield workhorse, and used correctly could be an ok central midfielder player in a defensive side, where his engine and energy could be harnessed to close teams down. However, we won't win Championships with Biscan in the side, and the best he can hope for is a back up player to be used as a midfield runner coming off the bench in the later stages of games. Will be interesting to see what Benetiz makes of him, but if he decided that he dislikes Biscan, he could have trouble getting rid of him.

Steven Gerrard: an absolute giant last season, when he almost single handedly kept the side afloat. Had an under par European Championships, when he looked tired and distracted, and being coached by Erickson didn't help either! Was involved in the biggest transfer controversary in Liverpool's recent history, but thankfully decided to remain at the club (albeit grudgingly?). Will be Benetiz's biggest asset next season, and is Liverpool's greatest hope in challenging the top 3. Has many great attributes: strength, ambition, determination, pace, a good engine, a strong tackle, a great shot, an ability to run and beat defenders, and his passing over 40 yards is up there with the best in the world. However, he is far from perfect and still has much to learn, principally in the art of holding the ball, as Stevie has a bad habit of trying to set up a winning goal with every pass. However, he should learn to vary his game, and if he learns how to hold possession like Keane or Vieria he will become the best central midfielder in the world. However, he could face a difficulty season, because if Liverpool struggle, we will have all the rumours all over again, and he could be off next summer.

Didi Hamman: another great Houllier signing who fitted perfectly into Houllier's formation for 2 1/2 years. On his day he added another defensive layer to the side, protecting the centre halves and making Liverpool an extremely difficult side to break down. However, he has showed some signs of slowing further than he already is and perhaps his energy is beginning to wane. Despite having a good touch and good technique, he lacks ambition when on the ball and rarely ventures forward. Is likely to be a casaulty of Benetiz' regime, as the Spaniard is known to prefer two highly energetic and kinetic midfielders who use their pace and energy to close teams down and take the game to the opposition. It is very unlikely that Hamman fits this role, and is likely to return to Germany. He was a good player in his day for Liverpool, but his day has passed.

Danny Murphy: a frustrating player who occasionally can look very good as he has good technique and some footballing intelligence, but more often than not he flatters to decieve, as he regularly and routinely gives the ball away and often his feet cannot accomplish what his brain wants them to. He is the classic case of almost always attempting the "impossible pass" and it is not unknown for Danny to attempt to try to pass the ball through opposition players! Despite being a cause of frustration, Danny has some good qualities. He is effective from free kicks, and his right footed frees from the left have often met Hyppia's head, resulting in goals. He can pop up in the box and score important goals, and is probably the best penalty taker at the club. Could lose his place under Benetiz, but Murphy is a reasonable player to have on the bench, and people should remember that he was our best player in 2002/03.

Salif Diao: IMO Diao is a lot better player than people make out, and was unfairly treated by Houllier. When he first joined he was a source of energy and determination in midfield, covering a lot of ground and looked the natural successor to Hamman, with the additional strength of being able to get forward more. However, Houllier made him a scapegoat during our bad run in 2002/03 after he was sent off against Newcastle, and was occasionally played out of position at right back or centre half. Last season he rarely got a chance. Espanyol are rumoured to want him, but he insists on trying his luck under Benetiz. The decision to sell him could be made over his head, but like a lot of Liverpool squad players, he probably deserves one more chance to show what he can do in his natural position.

El Hadji Diouff: Together with Heskey, Houllier's biggest failure. Was signed as Fowler's successor after Houlllier choose not to take the Anelka option, Diouff made an immediate impact in his first 5 games at centre forward. Houllier then forced him out wide, where he has looked average at best, and ineffective at worst. His brilliant performances at 2002 African Nations and World Cups are now a distant memory. He has a good engine and modest pace, and can dribble with the best of them, but he runs down blind alleys and cannot produce a quality final ball. His shooting is also poor for a striker, although he has never been known to be a goal scorer throughout his career. Diouff is likely to be shown the door this summer as it is rumoured that Benetiz has a grudge against him after he agreed to join Valencia in 2002 before making a last minute change of mind and opting for Liverpool. If he stays he probably deserves a chance to be played in his natural position: the supporting striker who likes to drift in off the left, but with Owen, Cisse and Baros at the club, thats extremely unlikely.

Anthony Le Tallec: I cannot believe that some members here have criticised him so much. He was a young player thrown into a struggling team last season and forced to play out of position (right midfield) yet never let the side down, and showed signs that he can make it, as he is beginning to adapt physically, and could yet have a big future ahead. Once he settles in England and gains some experience, as well as some physical bulk, Le Tallec could be the long term solution to our lack of creativity, either played as a central midfielder or in the hole.

Harry Kewell: Had an ok season last year, every time he looked like getting going inury struck, and finished the season looking tired and out of sorts, but that was true of many Liverpool players last year. He did very well at times, weighing in with some important goals, and we all know from his Leeds days what he is capable of, when he looked like one of the best left sided players in Europe. Nobody has seen the best of Kewell in perhaps 3 years: that is not to say he has played badly, but to say that he has not reached the fantastic heights he reached back then for Leeds. Hopefully Benetiz can integrate him into the side and we see his old Leeds form: if he does, it could be an exciting time for Liverpool, as Kewell has a rare gift for the brilliant and unexpected. However, a couple of lingering doubts hang over Kewell: the first is his ankle injury, which apparently is a more serious long term problem than at first thought (according to his national team coach) and secondly his attitude. Like fellow Aussie Mark Viduka Kewell is rumoured to be a difficult and complex character, and he will surely be a test of Benetiz' man managment skills.

Michael Owen: At a cross roads of his career: should he stay or should he go? Owen's star has undoubedtly dimmed since the glory days of 2001, when we could have named our price for him, and chances are he'll remain at Anfield a while longer as the really big clubs look elsewhere for strikers. Owen has come in for a lot of criticism lately, some of it outrageous, some of it justified. He is still very unfortunate with injury, and he has accepted himself that he has lost some of his explosive pace. There are also rumours of Owen being an "untouchable" at Anfield, which is not something you want at a club if you want to establish a good team spirit. Owen hasn't suddenly become a bad player over night, but no one can deny that we have rarely seen him at his best in the past 24 months. However, Owen is a winner, and he could (hopefully) prove all his critics wrong next season, and Benetiz is rumoured to fancy him. Lets hope Mickey starts to deliver the goods and prove he's worth the fat contract rumoured to be waiting for him.

Dbjril Cisse: an unknown quantity. Looks the part on telly: faster than a speeding bullet, strong and powerful, good skill and a good shot, but lets forget the hype. Our last two big money forward signings: Diouff and Heskey, were disasters and lets pray that Cisse doesn't join that motley crew. We Liverpool fans are sick of seeing big money signings flop: I have my fingers and toes crossed that in Cisse, we will have a guy that finnally delivers.

Milan Baros: Top scorer at Euro 2004....amazing! However, Baros is the same guy he was at Liverpool, but benefited from playing in an attacking and creative side that provided him with many chances. Baros is a rascal up front, full of running, aggression and energy, ready to try his luck at anything, and proves that fortune favours the brave. Has some weaknesses in that he often runs down blind alleys and can be selfish in possession, but Baros will surely give Owen and Cisse a run for their money next year. It should be interesting.

Vladimir Smicer: Smicer is a strange guy: looks weak and limited for Liverpool, yet effervesant for the Czech Republic. Has good tecnhique, but like Murphy, his body cannot often perform what his mind tells it to. Smicer has toiled away at Anfield for 5 years, more than any other player in Houllier's time has he frustrated Liverpool fans. Rumour has it that he'll leave, and he's not getting any younger, but he could surprize people if he stayed, as new managers often get the best out of the most unlikiest of players, and I have a feeling that Benetiz could work wonders with Smicer, if he stays.

Florent Sinama Pongolle: Fast and furios, Pongolle created mayhem at times in the Premiership last season, usually coming off the bench. However, guys like Pongolle need first team football, and he looks no closer to that next year, especially if Benetiz signs another forward, which he will if you listen to the rumours. Pongolle is slightly unfortunate in that he has three very good guys ahead of him, and he could fade into obscurity if he doesn't get a chance. IMO it will take something drastic, like Owen or Baros leaving, or one of the front men suffering from a serious injury.

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