Neither are that good tbh. Skrtel is completely unreliable and Agger is good on the ball but a bit of a lightweight
I would go for that. I think they're both good enough to push for top 4, but I don't think either are good enough to stay there. I think Skrtel gets criticized too much and is a scapegoat and I think Agger might as well be knighted in the eyes of alot of LFC fans but has numerous faults in his game too.
Agree re Agger. Skrtel costs us goals on a regular basis when he plays though be it by giving away fouls in and around the Area, giving away the ball in a dangerous area or being ran past to easly without making a challenge. I really think he's poor and bar 6 months season before last under Dalglish his performances really have been terrible since he's been here and maybe this is making him a scapegoat but I really dont think its a coincidence that we haven't fiished in the top 4 since he replaced Hyypia in the team
Actually, stats suggest Agger is far worse for giving the ball away in our half and for being dribbled past... There's alot of misconceptions about Skrtel. Point taken on fouls though. All defenders foul, Carra was great at it, but they need to do it without being caught. Agger doesn't play dirty enough, it could be argued.
Yeah, he doesn't seem willing to put his body on the line, neither of them are really. You dont see them making the blocks and last ditch challenges that carragher did.
It was a criticism of tactics not the player. A manager has to work with the tools at hand. Skrtel and Agger are both used to playing a traditional CB role. Play deeper during open play and bring the ball out from higher up if possible. Also when the keeper gets it push up. That's the way they've always played the game. Last season they were playing higher, further apart and thus they were having to pass backwards way too often. They then both drop deep when the keeper has the ball and try and carry it out from practically the goal line thus inviting pressure. He was basically a victim of the "thou shalt pass a thousand times a game" commandment. I bet Skrtel passed it back to Reina this year more than he's ever done. The City game is a perfect example of the mistakes this brought into his game. His first instinct was to go forward but instead, because he was pressured he turned and played a ridiculous back pass. The other big issue was that first half of the season (when Skrtel was playing) our midfield was getting walked through easier than a revolving door. Had Skrtel played more in the team with Hendo rather than Allen he'd have had a hell of a lot less to deal with.
The changes in midfield had allot to do with the defenses drop in form. From having two sitting mids in front of them under Rafa to non under Rogers is a fair old shock to what your used to. When Lucas was at his best he gave extra protection to the back four, giving them less to worry about and more time to position properly. Since Lucas Has been not at his best and Allen has covered its basically are back for against the other teams attack. Fairly simplified view, but more on how Rogers tactics has been a struggle for the back four than any other section.
Great post by Two girls, one Allen I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of Skrtel but he has been heavily criticised which I don't think is hugely justified. Won't hide the fact that he has made mistakes but as others have pointed out, the whole team were adjusting to a new formation and tactics so it wasn't easy. In addition, he was playing at the start of the season when we had a new manager, new ideas and tactics, no Coutinho and Sturridge (the new attack which led to more goals and less pressure on defence) etc etc. He played at CB at one of the most difficult periods, as did Agger who also struggled IMO. Also, Skrtel is one of the few players in our team that can actually attack the ball in the air. When we have a corner, we hardly have anyone who can a) win a header, and b) head the ball with power and accuracy. Skrtel (for all of his faults) can do this at least. And I agree with Billy - the tactics did not help our defenders. They left the CB's and DM exposed and vulnerable to counter attacks. Rodgers brought Carra in and adapted as a manager by tweaking his tactics. I would only sell Skrtel if we got someone like Papa as a replacement.
Could i say one thing. again minor evidence but perhaps just one more point to support the thought that we are not spending more this summer. CBs are now fine, and perhaps rodgers has decided that after preseason and in that case ok. A few weeks back however he wanted another CB... Dare i suggest he's failed to shift skertl on rather than he's suddenly decided he's got a great set of lads?
toure will be on bench. he was a free transfer. be surprised if he even gets a start. good player though but the fact he cannot speak english concerns me.
Of course Martin is probably the best in the air that we currently have, and yes, he was unfairly scapegoated last season, but the errors he made were pretty blatent and very bad - being hounded out of possession, or going for passes that really weren't on across the back line - pretty much schoolboy errors that none of us would have made. It is this that has raised the questions about Martin's ability to play the game Brendan's way. Given that JC then came into the side and was almost unshiftable until he retired makes one wonder why this was? I think Martin can play the right way for Brendan, but I suspect that there was something of a lack of verbal organisation at the back, surprising given both Dagger and Skrts skipper their respective National Sides.Carra came back into the side and this was instantly noticable, plus the willingness to find row Z at the right time rather than trying a tippy-tappy pass. So does Brendan question Martin's game intelligence I wonder? As noted elsewhere Coates is being sidelined at the moment, and this is a concern but he's only 22 and has plenty of time to deveop and stake a claim.
Ah so you're a shaft kind of man? Don't think we will buying papa to stay on target. Think it will be LB and that is it for defenders.
I think Rodgers is playing it cool with regards to CB's because he had expected to shift Skrtel and Coates by now.
