- The defence of 2007-08 (0.74 goals conceded per game) In Europe, the Reds were eliminated by Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals. Domestically, Rafael Benitez's men finished fourth, conceding 28 goals. Pepe Reina played all 38 league games while Jamie Carragher missed just three. John Arne Riise and Alvaro Arbeloa both featured in 29 matches. Sami Hyypia played 27 times and Steve Finnan 24. - The defence of 1988-89 (0.74 goals conceded per game) Liverpool would lose the league title on the final day of the season under dramatic circumstances to Arsenal before beating Everton in the FA Cup final. In the league, they conceded 28 goals in 38 games. Steve Nicol was an ever-present, playing 38 times. Gary Ablett played 35 while Bruce Grobbelaar, Steve Staunton and David Burrows all played 21. - The defence of 2008-09 (0.71 goals conceded per game) This was the season Liverpool came closer than ever before to winning the league title for 19 years. The Reds were watertight at the back and electric up front; however, they finished second, conceding 27 times in 38 games. The regular back-five was: Pepe Reina (38), Alvaro Arbeloa (29), Jamie Carragher (38), Martin Skrtel (21) and Fabio Aurelio (24). Meanwhile, Daniel Agger (18), Andrea Dossena (16) and Sami Hyypia (16) were in reserve. - The defence of 2006-07 (0.71 goals conceded per game) Athens and another Champions League final beckoned at the end of this campaign; however, the Reds had to settle for third domestically. They let in just 27 goals in the league that year. In his second full season, Pepe Reina was between the sticks for 35 games. Jamie Carragher (35), John Arne Riise (33) and Steve Finnan (33) were regulars as Sami Hyypia (23) and Daniel Agger (27) alternated in the extra centre-back position. - The defence of 1979-80 (0.71 goals conceded per game) Liverpool were league champions at the start of this campaign and they retained the title at the finish, conceding just 30 goals in 42 games. Full-back Phil Neal was an ever-present with 42 appearances, as was local lad Phil Thompson. Ray Clemence missed just one league game, while Alan Hansen played 38 times and Alan Kennedy 37. - The defence of 1971-72 (0.71 goals conceded per game) The Reds finished third; however, they were a solitary point behind Brian Clough's champions Derby. Ray Clemence had to pick the ball out of his own net on just 30 occasions in 42 games. Clem played in every game, as did Chris Lawler and Emlyn Hughes. Alec Lindsay saw action 38 times, Tommy Smith featured on 37 occasions and Larry Lloyd was less of a regular with 33. - The defence of 2005-06 (0.68 goals conceded per game) This Liverpool side began the season as European champions and would end it as FA Cup winners. In the league, Rafael Benitez's men finished third; however, they conceded just 25 goals in 38 games. Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia played 36 of those. Pepe Reina and Steve Finnan both notched 33 appearances each, while full-back John Arne Riise played 32 times. - The defence of 1987-88 (0.6 goals conceded per game) Widely considered the greatest Liverpool side of all time, Kenny's boys of '88 were revered for their attacking prowess. However, the facts show just how good the First Division winners were defensively. Alan Hansen was the captain and stalwart of the back-four, racking up 39 league appearances. Steve Nicol played 40, Bruce Grobbelaar 38 and Gary Gillespie 35. - The defence of 1970-71 (0.57 goals conceded per game) A disappointing season for the Reds league-wise as they finished fifth. There was also the heartbreak of losing that year's FA Cup final to Arsenal at Wembley. But only 24 goals were conceded in 42 league games. Ray Clemence guarded the net on 41 occasions. Chris Lawler and Tommy Smith also notched 41 appearances each. Emlyn Hughes played 39 games and Alec Lindsay was on the pitch for 35. - The defence of 1968-69 (0.57 goals conceded per game) Bill Shankly's men came close to another league title but had to settle for second as Don Revie's Leeds were crowned champions. They let in just 24 goals in the league. Chris Lawler, Tommy Smith and goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence played all 42 games. Emlyn Hughes (40) and Ron Yeats (39) were not far behind. - The defence of 1978-79 (0.38 goals conceded per game) Liverpool lifted their 11th title in a record-breaking season. At Anfield, they conceded an astonishing four goals in 21 games and just 16 overall. Phil Neal and Ray Clemence were the mainstays of Bob Paisley's side, playing all 42 league games. Phil Thompson featured in 39, Alan Kennedy in 37 and Alan Hansen in 34.
I really didn't watch more than the occasional game prior to the mid-Houllier years... football grew on me as I got older... it wasn't until Rafas first season that I frequently watched every game religiously so unfair for me to judge before then. Best since then has been. Reina in goal. Finnan as right back (or Arbeloa if needing more of wing back formation) Carra and Hyypia as centre backs. Riise as Left back.
A lot of Rafa in the list. Part of what made us dangerous and Europe and in the top 4 but also probably why we never could get close to the league title, bar the one year.
Show this list to the Chelsea fans and the ridiculous English media who doubt Rafa's abilities as a coach. 4 of his seasons were regarded as 4 of our best defensive seasons in the history of Liverpool Football Club, says it all
Might not have had the glamor players, but those boys ( Reina, Carra, Hyypia, Finnan and later Arbeloa) worked together and played to what was asked of them. One of those seasons we had 10 clean sheets ina row, that was unreal.
I thought people would know me well enough by now to realise I am a lazy batard but no, I've got to look for myself... We have conceded 40 goals in 31 league games so far this season, that 1.29 goals per game.
I think the reason we didn't win more under Rafa was that we had a horrid time getting a decent striker. Cisse was only OK. Baros was never up-to-snuff. Owen was already knackered before he left. Crouch was good but not a goal scorer. It wasn't until Torres we had firepower up front... and then he had to go get himself continually injured. Our midfield and defence was always rock solid under Rafa. He just couldnt pick strikers. Defence...yes...he was the master. But defense wasn't just the back line. He had players like Mash... Alonso... Momo... Lucas... Gerrard all helping out defensively. Frequently our winger would be a trained fullback. Riise, Arbeloa, Aurelio... all spent time in more advanced positions. I don't know if this 8 ever all played together but these are positions in which they would play: Finnsn - Carra - Hyypia - Traore Arbeloa - Gerrard - Aurelio- Riise That's the entire back two lines completely populated with trained defenders. * think only used Aurelio as centre mid three or four times Max... but still...
Thank **** they got rid of that rule. I was around for the tail end of the throw in rule as well. Made the game much quicker.
basically this is all not so shabby... 0.7 something goals per game is good! someone beat me to the cacl earlier 1.29 conceded per game this season and this is why we are nowhere. goals went i nbut v te top 0 we leaked badly and here we are. 2-2s where it should have been 2-0 or at worse 2-1.... 1-3's that should never have been 0-3 v villa. Its all about inability to deal with balls in from wide... we need a player like kompany who's a magnet for crosses
And they had the advantage of being able to put forwards in row Z they did however also have to deal with strikers who had absolutely no sense of fear and would quite happily smash your nose through your brain. Personally I think it's tough to compare eras because of these things. However I think to be classed as the best you have to win league titles. That is the only fair measure between different eras because that is the common goal all these teams shared. For me I think I'd have to go 83-84 for a simple reason. Treble winning season and probably one of the most gruelling, toughest European Cup Finals I've ever seen. If ever a defence gave blood, sweat and tears at the back end of a long season it was that one.
Golden gloves are measured on clean sheets and not total goals conceded, Reina is actually up there this season believe it or not despite the 1.29 per game stat. Our trouble is we struggle to just concede 1, it'll always be more than 1 if we don't keep a clean sheet. Prior to villa last week when was the last time we conceded just once in a league game. It's usually none or 2-3
Think it was Chelsea and Newcastle when we drew 1-1 in both. Top of my head that is, can't remember many December games.
