Liverpool FC 2011/12 Squad – A Review

This season is by far the worst season LFC has had since I started following them in 1984. No doubt we have had worst seasons like in 1993/94 and 2009/10 but given the massive expectations and financial outlay, this season is worse than those two.

Where do we put the blame? I won’t blame the manager or the coach. Kenny Dalglish and Steve Clarke have had many successes before and are proven to be capable football administrators so I can’t really put all the blame on them. Some maybe, but not all.

I think most of the blame should be shouldered by the players, mainly the strikers, especially Andy Carroll. Having said that, I shall put forth my views on how the players performed and who should leave.

Must stay:

Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Lucas Leiva.

I never liked Lucas but he is always picked by Benitez, Hodgson and now Dalglish; there must be something good about him …

I have no problems with the current backline, despite a bad season, the defence is quite tight.

Should stay to provide back-up:

Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy, Charlie Adam, Maxi Rodriguez, Alberto Aquilani.

Carragher, Kuyt and Bellamy’s experience and work rate will be vital in times when the team needs guidance or when they are chasing games.

Aquilani should be retained to provide insight into continental football.

Should stay for the future:

Jordan Handerson, Raheem Sterling, Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey, Sebastian Coates, Martin Kelly.

Should go:

Fabio Aurelio and Joe Cole have passed their best.

Stewart Downing gives the ball away so easily, never looked threatening, and hardly supplies a decent cross.

Andy Carroll has been given enough chances and support. Maybe we could trade Carroll for Bent or Huntelaar.

I would like to see at Anfiled (playing for Liverpool obviously):

Defender:

Andreas Bjelland (FC Twente) – a versatile player with the ability to play all across the board as well as occasionally being utilized as a defensive midfielder.

Jan Vertonghen (Ajax) – Arsenal and Man City wants him; these clubs don’t go after rubbish players.

Midfielder:

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) – is said to be the best defensive midfielder in the world.

Christian Eriksen (Ajax) – he was voted the 2011 Young Player of the Year in the Eredivisie as well as the Danish Footballer of the Year and the AFC Ajax Talent of the Year. You have to be a very good player to win three awards in one year.

Clint Dempsey (Fulham) – why Hodgson didn’t bring him to Liverpool is a mystery to me, one of the best attacking midfielders in the EPL.

Striker:

Darren Bent (Aston Villa) – he gets my vote because of his impressive track record.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04) – he has bounced back and is back to his best.

I am not a fan of rotation but Liverpool will be playing in the Europa Cup next season so they will need plenty of capable reinforcements. Some players need to be rested for certain games.

This season has seen Liverpool dominating many games yet losing. Their defence is quite tight, the midfield is able to control games but goals are not scored despite the many shots on target. Obviously the problem is upfront and players like Bent, Huntelaar and Dempsey could solve the problem.