I found Slogans post an interesting read for sure, and he does raise many of my points regarding the actual quality of Liverpool, something which, for me just doesn't do it (yet).
Over the summer Liverpool sold Luis Garcia, a player who, with Torres as the front man is the perfect player to play with. Instead you bought Benayoun, a player with a little more technical ability in and around his feet, but slower and with no read threat about him.
I remember watching Man Utd vs Liverpool games and it was always Garcia that scared me. He was the one capable of pulling something from nothing (and we know he did it a lot, such as the '05 CL Semi-Final).
Players like Gerrard can do stuff, but in all reality, he seldom turns up for the big games (a criticism of Henry, but Henry still scored goals).
Alonso is good and can deliver a pretty good ball, but lacks any form of cut-throat
Pennant is predictable and frankly not good enough carrying no real pace, lack of skills and a total lack of consistency in his crosses.
Mascherano is a talented DM and can definitely play football, he has an excellent short game similar to Makelele.
Sissoko is an absolute clown wrapped up as a footballer. He's clumsy, can't pass, can't shoot and can't really tackle.
Benayoun is a talented player, but he's not as good as Luis Garcia and doesn't really do anything brilliantly.
Babel looks a real talent, but doesn't have any confidence. The few times I've seen him play he's looked frightning, real pace and a rocket shot, he could turn into something.. but that's potential and Liverpool need something now.
There are others, but that's it. The problem with Liverpools Midfield is that it genuinely only has 2 players who pick themselves. Gerrard and Alonso.
You compare that to Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd...
Chelsea always choose between Makelele or Mikel. On top of that they have Essien who's incredibly good. Offensively they have Joe Cole, Lampard and Kalou. That's 6 players to fit into 3 or 4 positions. Not easy.
Arsenal are currently playing without Gilberto in the middle despite him being one of their best players last season. They have probably the finest youth player in the game in Fabregas, Dynamicism through Hleb and Rosicky, toughness in Gilberto and an all-rounder in Flamini. That's without mentioning potential like Walcott and Gibbs.
Man Utd have a 3 way choice between Carrick, Scholes and Hargreaves all 3 who offer different styles. We have the best winger in the world in Ronaldo, the Premierships greatest ever winger in Giggs and real potential with Anderson. Then there is Nani who is like lightning and O'Shea/Fletcher who will work happily anywhere on that line.
In comparison to the other big teams Liverpool are found wanting. The problem is, it's no better up front with Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea all having better strength up front (well, maybe not Chelsea atm).
Defensively Liverpool have always been good. There is no exceptional talent there, but rather a back 4 who work for each other, much like Arsenals in the early 90's. Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd all have better CB's but wing-backs are all about even.
It's in terms of their keeper that Liverpool are strong. Reina is simply brilliant, BUT, behind him you only have potential. Man Utd have Van Der Sar and Foster. Chelsea have Cech and Cudicini. Arsenal have Lehmann and Almunia (not to mention Fabianksi who looks a real talent). Liverpool have Itandjee, a keeper who only a week earlier failed a trial at Everton.
Whilst Liverpool have improved with signings such as Torres and some defenders, the problem is, there is absolutely no strength in depth. Man Utd won the league last year with better depth and it wasn't deemed good enough. Now we have some promising kids and £80,000,000 in re-enforcements. The fact that Liverpool have been grinding out draws is of no threat to other teams. Enough of that and the race will be over before it has begun.
Over the summer Liverpool sold Luis Garcia, a player who, with Torres as the front man is the perfect player to play with. Instead you bought Benayoun, a player with a little more technical ability in and around his feet, but slower and with no read threat about him.
I remember watching Man Utd vs Liverpool games and it was always Garcia that scared me. He was the one capable of pulling something from nothing (and we know he did it a lot, such as the '05 CL Semi-Final).
Players like Gerrard can do stuff, but in all reality, he seldom turns up for the big games (a criticism of Henry, but Henry still scored goals).
Alonso is good and can deliver a pretty good ball, but lacks any form of cut-throat
Pennant is predictable and frankly not good enough carrying no real pace, lack of skills and a total lack of consistency in his crosses.
Mascherano is a talented DM and can definitely play football, he has an excellent short game similar to Makelele.
Sissoko is an absolute clown wrapped up as a footballer. He's clumsy, can't pass, can't shoot and can't really tackle.
Benayoun is a talented player, but he's not as good as Luis Garcia and doesn't really do anything brilliantly.
Babel looks a real talent, but doesn't have any confidence. The few times I've seen him play he's looked frightning, real pace and a rocket shot, he could turn into something.. but that's potential and Liverpool need something now.
There are others, but that's it. The problem with Liverpools Midfield is that it genuinely only has 2 players who pick themselves. Gerrard and Alonso.
You compare that to Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd...
Chelsea always choose between Makelele or Mikel. On top of that they have Essien who's incredibly good. Offensively they have Joe Cole, Lampard and Kalou. That's 6 players to fit into 3 or 4 positions. Not easy.
Arsenal are currently playing without Gilberto in the middle despite him being one of their best players last season. They have probably the finest youth player in the game in Fabregas, Dynamicism through Hleb and Rosicky, toughness in Gilberto and an all-rounder in Flamini. That's without mentioning potential like Walcott and Gibbs.
Man Utd have a 3 way choice between Carrick, Scholes and Hargreaves all 3 who offer different styles. We have the best winger in the world in Ronaldo, the Premierships greatest ever winger in Giggs and real potential with Anderson. Then there is Nani who is like lightning and O'Shea/Fletcher who will work happily anywhere on that line.
In comparison to the other big teams Liverpool are found wanting. The problem is, it's no better up front with Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea all having better strength up front (well, maybe not Chelsea atm).
Defensively Liverpool have always been good. There is no exceptional talent there, but rather a back 4 who work for each other, much like Arsenals in the early 90's. Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd all have better CB's but wing-backs are all about even.
It's in terms of their keeper that Liverpool are strong. Reina is simply brilliant, BUT, behind him you only have potential. Man Utd have Van Der Sar and Foster. Chelsea have Cech and Cudicini. Arsenal have Lehmann and Almunia (not to mention Fabianksi who looks a real talent). Liverpool have Itandjee, a keeper who only a week earlier failed a trial at Everton.
Whilst Liverpool have improved with signings such as Torres and some defenders, the problem is, there is absolutely no strength in depth. Man Utd won the league last year with better depth and it wasn't deemed good enough. Now we have some promising kids and £80,000,000 in re-enforcements. The fact that Liverpool have been grinding out draws is of no threat to other teams. Enough of that and the race will be over before it has begun.
) when in actual fact we choose between Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano, all of which imo are better than the 3 options you have (Alonso over Carrick, Gerrard over Scholes and Mascherano over Hargreaves).