Admittedly I havent seen Johnson and Aurelio all that much, but Enrique is streets ahead of both IMO.
But why would we need to,it would mean dropping someone who we have spent millions on...just like johnson.Mmmmmm glad its Kennys job to sort it out esp if we do sign another wide man.I think Johnson will start as he finished last season really well.In saying that he looked out of sorts the other night against Valarenga. I think Lawrensons line up is about right.You could put Skrtel in for Agger or Carra(not that carra will be dropped) and there is a case for Kuyt to be included as he was brilliant once Kenny arrived.If Gerrard is not fit enough then I would expect Henderson to take over that position or more probably Kuyt. It will be interesting how they line up against valencia....It must surely be as close to the starting XI as possible. I feel Aqualani will go,he seems to want it too happen and I can see him going for 10Million,after all its not FSG's money that we spent on him.If we get more than that perhaps we could bung H&G a few bob to help them out. Looks like Enrique will come and he would be 1st choice at LB.Rumours over Mata still abound -perhaps he'll play half for Valencia and then at half-time come out on the pitch and sign for us and play the 2nd half in red!!!would be one of the best kept secrets ever.
The only ones you have to put in their right positions are the keeper,the defenders and the defensive midfielder,you can put Gerrard right/or centrally,he won't stay in either, the same applies to the others. The advanced players will interchange and will not finish in the positions they started in. So I wouldn't get caught up on who's right on who's where.
Think you will be looking at: Riena Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique Adam, Lucas Downing, Gerrard, Suarez Carroll as your strongest XI For your first game I expect: Reina Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique Henderson, Spearing, Adam, Downing Kuyt, Carroll
Although he had a bad first game back the other night, do not fall for the media bandwagon about his defending being poor, when kelly played last season he made quite a few mistakes that the media would have been all over if it had been johnson.
The best thing about the squad is the amount of players we have that can play in different positions and should be comfortable. Toward the end of last season we saw kenny start to deliver a brand of football we have not seen at anfield for years. Players will not be resticted to positions and responsabilities. ie Lucas defends stevie attacks. It was more about the team as a whole defending and attacking as one. When it worked we were unplayable. The players we've sighned all fit into this ethic of being adaptable, we havnt sighned a out and out winger who can cross a ball but who carnt defend, we sighned Downing who can get down the wing cut inside and cross but will also track back and work for the team. We now have option all over depending on oposition, how the game is going and injuries. I can not wait to see how the plyers come together and god hopes it works.
I think that's a quality team, and our bench will be much stronger too! Plenty to be optimistic about. Don't understand why people don't rate Johnson. He's a top class attacking full back (who beats defenders better than most wingers in the league) and people have gotten this image that he can't defend based on England games (where everyone is poor and he has a different player in front of him and a different centreback alongside him every game) and Hodgson's reign where the idea of an attacking fullback is so alien the old git nearly rubbed his own face off. Johnson proved at left back he is an excellent defender who, yes can improve, but who also when used properly has great ability. I see Kelly as a future centreback anyway. Glen was far behind the rest of the team in fitness levels the other day and that's the reason he suffered. I love Kelly no doubt but Johnson is the long term right back for me, and will be one of the best in the world when he peaks.
Long may opposing teams, clubs and managers think about Liverpool in terms of a best 11. Throughout the sdie Kenny appears to be looking towrds a best squad. He will pick players to meet the challenges set by the opposition and then have reserves to not only meet injuries but also change the whole nature of the game. It's no longer a fixed first 11 but a fixed squad.
Wasn't the last time Carra, Skrtel and Agger were all fit versus Chelsea? When Kenny played all 3 at the back and Kelly and Johnson wingbacks? Would be interesting to see what he does next time they're all fit.
I disagree about Skrtel. Yes he was consistent but when the situation allows we should put out our strongest defensive pair of Carragher and Agger. I also agree with Dave that we won't have a fixed squad. Of course we're only speculating on the possible best squad in terms of quality and depth.
I'm still convinced we're 2 players short of having a squad thats comparable to our 2009 level,and 3 players short of beyond that. If we sign those three players, I believe that we're on the verge of real success.
Maybe putting Gerrard on the right doesn't mean as a winger. Last season the team sheet often read that Meireles was on the left, but that was not where he played most of the time.
bozz, to be fair everyone love an agger shot.... agger is the man... but he's a s injured as aurelio.... personally skertl NOR Carra NOR agger are dominant centre halves like hyypia. we badly miss sami. I would have to say agger is not feature much as i expectg him to last about 5 games before doing his back, or knee.... aurelio will never feature, he's a total crock and its disgraceful that hodgosn gave him more than one year at a time..... I'd love to see a new CB and LB come in. No disrespect but skertl is average if you talk about top 4 like guys want us to be... he'd be fine for stoke or fulham but for us? not got the talent.
"Do not fall for the media bangwagon about his defending being poor" Im not, I've alway's thought his defending was poor but he is good going forward.
