Liverpool have had many fantastic midfielders over the years, both in the centre and on the wing. It has been hard to narrow it down to just 10 but in my opinion the ones that I have chosen all represent what every Reds fan would like to see in a Liverpool midfield player. Whether it was the pace and guile of John Barnes, the one man team that was Billy Liddell or the hard hitting challenges of Graeme Souness, the Reds have all sorts that have graced the grass of Anfield and have gone on to become legends of the game.
Click on image below to see the TOP 10
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Chelsea defender David Luiz has stated that his side will field their strongest starting XI against Tottenham in the FA Cup this weekend, despite facing Barcelona in the Champions League three days later.
The London rivals go head-to-head in the last four of the cup on Sunday, before Roberto Di Matteo’s men host the European champions at Stamford Bridge the following Wednesday.
The Brazilian centre half has claimed that Chelsea will not prioritise either competition and are going for glory on more than one front.
“Chelsea want to win all the competitions. I think we will put the best team against Tottenham, the best team against Barcelona,” he told Mirror Football.
“It’s impossible to rest too much now! It’s a short time between games because Chelsea compete in three competitions.
“Other teams have more time as they are not in the competitions. It’s normal.
“We have the opportunity to win the FA Cup and the Champions League. This is football at the top level and we are prepared for the games,” he confirmed.
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Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during Euro 2012 qualifying.Aquilani, on loan at Juventus from Liverpool, suffered the knock early in the 3-0 win over Estonia on Friday and will miss Tuesday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
He said he was pleased the injury was not serious injury after tests showed the knock to be head trauma.
“For a while everything looked as if it was in fog,” Aquilani told Sky Sport Italia.
“I asked (teammate) Riccardo Montolivo what was on my head and he told me to immediately get it looked at by the medical staff as I had a large bump.”
“Fortunately it was just a nasty knock to the head as these things can be dangerous.”
Aquilani’s club future remains uncertain but a decision from the Serie A and English Premier League giants is expected in the next few days.
The 26-year-old is keen to stay in Turin but Juventus has failed to meet the eight million pound fee agreed with Liverpool.
Aquilani also praised Italy coach Cesare Prandelli for the new style of play he has implemented with the national side.
“Prandelli is one of the best coaches in the world,” Aquilani said.
“With him, it’s all about the quality of our football and that is the big difference compared to previous administrations.”
Italy are five points clear in Group C as they aim to qualify for next year’s tournament in Ukraine and Poland.
Whether through his own making or otherwise, Roy Hodgson’s tenure at Liverpool has been anything but plain sailing. Yesterday’s 1-0 win over Bolton propelled the Anfield outfit out of the relegation zone, somewhere Liverpool fans would never have expected their team to be after 9 games, and somewhere they hope they will not be visiting again anytime soon. After a disastrous start, the pressure has been intense on the Liverpool manager, with many calling for him to be relieved of his duties on Merseyside. The team’s league position and the manner in which the side are playing are definitely major factors in this vitriolic response to Hodgson, and since the Gillett/Hicks saga ended in John Henry and NESV taking control of the club, the burden of blame and expectation has landed squarely on Hodgson’s shoulders, with the 63 year-old taking the brunt of Liverpudlians dissatisfaction. But is there another reason for why Hodgson and the Anfield faithful can’t quite seem to click?
Prior to Sunday’s game at the Reebok Stadium, Hodgson told the waiting media that he was happy working alongside Liverpool legend and former manager Kenny Dalglish, with the 59 year-old occupying an ambassadorial role at the club. However, since it was revealed that Dalglish threw his hat into the ring for the Liverpool job shortly after Rafa Benitez parted company with the Merseysiders, combined with Hodgson’s dismal start as manager, speculation has been rife as to whether Dalglish is biding his time in the background, waiting to be offered the job when Hodgson is either removed, or resigns.
Hodgson stated;
“I’m not prepared to pass up on quality people who can help because of a fear the day may come the club decides they want Kenny as manager… That wasn’t the case in the summer, but that’s not to say it won’t be the case forever. I don’t know. I have no fears in that respect because I know my qualities and I’m not a political person… He is doing a great job alongside us and we involve him in our scouting while he still works at The Academy and plays an ambassadorial role. That’s what he’s good at.”
Hodgson may talk a good game when it comes to discussing Dalglish, but through some rather pointed allusions in his statement, it shows he is anything but comfortable with the Liverpool legend lurking in the shadows at Anfield. He makes the point that he was chosen over Dalglish in the summer, even though the 59 year-old expressed his desire to manage the club once more, and that in an ambassadorial capacity, Dalglish will better serve the club because ‘That’s what he’s good at’. Not exactly the thoughts and words of a man who is secure in his job, or even with his co-workers.
All the while Dalglish is in the frame and Liverpool are struggling, Hodgson will be looking over his shoulder, and rightly so, with Dalglish having won the league title 8 times as both player and manager, he has unwavering popularity with the Liverpool fans. This was demonstrated recently when the fans started chanting Dalglish’s name as the Merseysiders went down 2-1 at home to Blackpool in October.
With Hodgson’s popularity waning and NESV looking to make a grand gesture to the Liverpool faithful, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we could see Kenny Dalglish once again at the helm at Anfield before the season is out, and at the moment, I can only see one person being unhappy with that scenario.
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With the football world bursting at the seams with breathtaking talent, who would make the cut for the ultimate XI?
Manuel Neuer
The German stopper was one of the most sought after talents last summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson openly stating his admiration for the former Schalke man. Eventually Bayern Munich convinced him to stay in his home country, paying 22 million Euros in the process.
And his performances at the 2010 World cup proved to be no flash in the pan, with the second most expensive goalkeeper in history appearing in every match for his country since. His presence in between the sticks as well as his exemplary shot shopping skills ensure he’ll remain an imposing obstacle for many strikers for years to come.
Dani Alves
It seems a little wrong to call Alves a right back, with the Brazilian providing more attacking threat than most wingers in every game he features in. He embodies not only the cavalier nature of Barcelona’s play, but also the way the modern footballer be. Athletic, technically sound and lightning fast, Alves is the blueprint for most up and coming starlets.
Thiago Silva
It’s no surprise Milan have endured an upturn in fortune since the Brazilian’s arrival. In under three years Silva has made nearly a hundred appearances, whilst last season he contributed to Milan’s first title win since 2004. Rumour has it the former Flumienese man could be on his way in the summer, with Barcelona and Manchester United both keen to part with a sizable amount of cash for his services.
Vincent Kompany
An absolute rock for City this season, the Belgian defender has proven himself as a consistent performer at the top level for a good few years now. His worth was no more apparent than during an unwarranted suspension in January, as City’s title bid momentarily stuttered without his intimidating presence at the back. Nobody would begrudge him if he were to be the player to hold aloft the Premiership come May.
Marcelo
At a time when most top sides have struggled to find a dependable left back, Marcelo has been a model of consistency for a ruthless Madrid side. Last season he started in every game, drawing praise from a variety of sources including Diego Maradona and Paulo Maldini.
After achieving a place in the Fifa World XI, Marcelo is now considered to be one of the most consistent fullbacks in the world, boasting frightening speed as well as more than worthy defensive capabilities.
Xavi
The Godfather of Spanish football has been manipulating midfield’s for years, and at 32 shows no signs of waning with an impressive 12 goals in 35 appearances this term. Can dictate the pace of a game like no other, and typifies the incredible success of the Spanish national side over the past four years. Will surely go down as one of the midfield greats.
Cesc Fabregas
At Arsenal Fabregas was always a well liked and admired figure. His guile and sumptuous passing impressed all in a country more used to seeing bruising tackles and bloodied shirts, and it’s fair to say Arsenal fans weren’t the only ones sad to see the back of the Spaniard.
With question marks over his ability to break into a star studded Barca midfield, the 24 year old has slotted in seamlessly, replacing a frustratingly injury prone Iniesta and scoring 15 goals in 35 appearances in the process.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Though a little too cock-sure at times, the Portuguese man continues to take our breath away. Perhaps the most well rounded footballer of his generation, he can dribble, shoot, head the ball and quite simply finds scoring goals easier than anybody on the planet.
David Silva
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Encapsulates all that’s good about the Spanish game, the tricky former Valencia man has been a revelation for City this season. At 26 Silva has yet to peak, and could yet match the achievements of compatriots Iniesta and Xavi in bringing total ticka tacka football to the masses. With a low center of gravity and subhuman vision, the midfielder has provided some much welcomed technical prowess to the battle field of the Premier League.
Lionel Messi
Nothing more can be said about the man who keeps pushing all the footballing boundaries. Will surely go down as the greatest player to have ever lived.
Robin Van Persie
His stunning performances this season have culminated in somehow dragging an average Arsenal team into fourth place this term, giving his side a real chance of Champions League football. His touch, technique, team play and ruthlessness in front of goal have been a joy to behold for years now, and would have produced many more magical moments if it wasn’t for some cruelly timed injuries.
Subs: Gianluigi Buffon, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, Mezut Ozil, Arjen Robben, Luka Modric , Wayne Rooney, Neymar.
Pass and Move is King Kenny’s philosophy, Pass and Move is how Liverpool will play next season, but how does £35million striker Andy Carroll fit into this? Firstly I believe the 22 year old will fit in to Liverpool ’s attack next season, due to no small part because he cost so much money. They will have to make it happen somehow. In any case, Carroll and the pass and move style has been shown to work once this season already. In one of Liverpool ’s best performances of the season, Carroll scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Manchester City . While the Reds went on to record a 5-0 win over Birmingham City and a 5-2 win over Fulham however, Carroll was sidelined with injury, and his integration into a side which had begun to find a fluid attacking style, was prevented from happening.
It was then inevitable then that his reintroduction into the team against Spurs yesterday would be used as the reason as to why the Reds capitulated so badly. Certainly, there is an argument to be had that the selection of Carroll in the starting line up disrupted the rhythm of the side both offensively ad defensively. On the attacking side, Dirk Kuyt had struck up a very good understanding with Luis Suarez , and the pair had been an integral part of Liverpool’s 5 goals victories over Fulham and Birmingham. In addition to this, the absence of a target man had forced others, such as Jamie Carragher, to pass on the floor more often than not and not look for the easy option to Carroll and lose possession of the ball. On the defensive side, Kuyt and Suarez led from the front with their pressing, and with Carroll only half fit, this lack of pressing meant the intensity in our off the ball play was lacking from the team against Spurs yesterday.
These are all reasons to point fingers at Andy Carroll for the display yesterday, but none of them are that conclusive. It is very easy to think that just because he was the only change to the side, he must have been the prime reason why the Reds didn’t play as well. As I have already mentioned however, one of the best performances of the season from the Reds’ point of view came against Manchester City, with Andy Carroll starting and scoring two impressive goals. From my point of view, there were may other factors more important than the disruption caused by an unfit Andy Carroll.
Firstly, the calibre of opposition we were playing was a lot higher than we have become accustomed to in recent weeks. Spurs came out of the blocks yesterday fully motivated and dominated the first 30 minutes of the game. Against Newcastle United especially a couple of weeks ago, the Reds got away with an average display in the first half, one which would have been punished by better opposition. Spurs were that superior opponent and took advantage. Unlike against the aforementioned Man City, where the Reds started like a house on fire, Spurs fully deserved their 1-0 lead at half time.
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The big difference between the City and Spurs was not the presence of Andy Carroll , as he started both matches, it was a lack of intensity in the midfield areas. Here’s a useful quote from the match programme from Steven Gerrard:
“In the last four or five games, especially, we have recovered possession in areas where we haven’t in the past. Against Man City goals came from us winning the ball back outside their area.”
In the big games against Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City at home this season, high pressing and high tempo have been the feature of our games in the three wins and a draw; in the defeat to Spurs, this was lacking. Combined with decisions from the referee, the lack of match fitness from Andy Carroll, the lack of performances from players who needed to be at the top of their game, and a great defensive display from King and Dawson, it all contributed to a limp 2-0 defeat.
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To answer the question from the opening paragraph, how does Andy Carroll fit in to Liverpool ’s pass and move philosophy? The answer is simple, if he gets the service he needs he will score goals. We don’t need to change our style and hoof the ball to accommodate him. We can pass as sublimely as we have been in recent matches and still use him as a key outlet. Bring in players who both compliment him and the team, and combined with our short passing style, we will have a strong aerial presence and an extra dimension to ensure we are covered for all eventualities when games are tight.
Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd has praised the players for grinding out Sunday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at Eastlands.
Carlos Tevez's penalty was cancelled out by Jonas Gutierrez in the first half, but the three points were earned when substitute Adam Johnson made an instant impact and the result, not the performance, was the most important thing, insisted Kidd.
"I think you saw bits of everything today," he said.
"We knew we weren't really at it in the first half. But that was the pleasing thing, because the players responded.
"We've gone second in the league now. Over 38 games you get games like that, that are not for the purists.
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"What is pleasing is that the players have shown that there is substance in the result. You know you've got a chance when you've got that in the squad."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Some, you may be itching to get back to fitness, some, you may have forgotten even existed. Every season, Premier League players find themselves in the treatment room, but some far more often than others. Whilst their team mates are slaving away in a relegation scrap or a pining for a shot at the title, for the following stars, rehabilitation and gym work is the order of the day, every day.
Injury may strike a player once in a blue moon, but for these ten players, you are just cringing at any knock or tackle inflicted upon them once they return to the first team fold. Let us take a look at the ten Premier League footballers who have a distinct notoriety for being ‘made of glass’.
Click on Sean Davis to unveil the top 10 sicknotes
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So there you have it. The ten Premier League players you shouldn’t be expecting to see anytime soon. In all seriousness, we wish them the speediest of recoveries but their injury statistics truly fascinate fans and onlookers alike.
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As we’ve found out throughout the course of this season, the popular social-networking site, Twitter, has become a footballers best friend, and a journalists haven of gossip and potential headlines. This week, it has been the turn of Darron Gibson to be embroiled in a new story with Tweeting connections, albeit his lasted a record-breaking amount of time. But as I chuckled to myself reading the short-sighted opinions people had of the Manchester United man, I started to wonder: what has Michael Carrick done to get himself all wrapped up in this affair?
The midfielder hasn’t even become involved in a positive way. As many were joining the ‘we hate Darron Gibson’ bandwagon, they attempted to attach a ‘lets start on Carrick as well’ side-car. Some of the comments which have caused such a stir around Old Trafford were directly abusive and altogether ignorant of the work both players have done for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side this season.
Even before the FA Cup final mistake, there seems to be a ‘blame Michael Carrick’ cult going around Old Trafford – something I just cannot understand. Just because he plays a similar way to Gibson, Carrick has too become a target of some pretty harsh ‘tweets’. His form recently has been good. Not great, but like many other of United’s players this season, Carrick has been doing enough to keep them top of the pile and on course for a Champions League final. Speaking of the European Cup, I wonder if any of the tweeting bright-sparks saw his performance against Schalke on Tuesday night? Not bad for a player who is apparently rubbish, eh? Ferguson trusts him in the big games. He controls matches with his passing and protects the back four as well as anyone around at the moment. The days of a crunching tackle have gone. Carrick has become the master of the interception which then leads into an attack – something United play on very well.
Gibson on the other hand has always had his critics, me being one of them, sometimes. But firstly, I would never publish such a degrading opinion of someone for the world to see – that’s just cowardly. After-all, the lad has more talent in his left boot than I could ever dream of. But despite what anybody thinks, at a time when United are fighting for several trophies, his inclusion in the squad is not such a bad thing. Are we forgetting Ryan Giggs is 37? Have we not realised that Paul Scholes has been out-of-form and Darren Fletcher has apparently been suffering from the worlds worst case of influenza? I’m not saying lets start the him at the Emirates this weekend, but if Gibson can come in for a game in which the boss trusts his players are good enough to win, why does every other Tom, Dick and Harry seem to want to argue?
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As I mentioned earlier, I had a little laugh to myself and what was being said, in particular towards Carrick, because they were so unjustified and I’m sure neither player will let it bother them. They are both part of a team who are about to achieve something very special, and there is no bigger compliment than being entrusted with the responsibility of pulling United over the line from the manager himself. Instead of jumping on these band wagons, maybe it’s about time we trusted Sir Alex to have in his squad who he believes will get the job done. Carrick could very easily orchestrate a Championship winning performance at Arsenal this weekend, and then the Twitter world will have to find someone else to belittle. Until then, I’m sure he’s losing plenty of sleep over it…
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Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!
When your nickname is “The Wonder Boy”, you better have something special to back it up. Luckily for Manchester United target Alexis Sanchez, he does.
The Chilean winger has caught the eye of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with some scintillating displays for both club and country. He was a stand-out performer for Chile in this summer’s World Cup as Marcelo Bielsa’s team reached the second round. Chile were a revelation in South Africa, playing wonderfully attacking, incisive football and Sanchez was a key component in Chile’s adventurous style of play.
Sanchez’s style of play has seen him compared to former United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Sanchez’s game certainly has some similarities to the Portuguese. He is blessed with incredible pace and wonderfully quick feet along with great technical ability and creativity. He has the ability to trouble defenders with his direct style of play which is something that Manchester United would certainly be interested in.
Sanchez started his professional career in 2005 as a 16 year old in his native Chile with Cobreloa where he impressed almost immediately. He showed a poise and maturity beyond his tender years as he quickly became a regular for the Mineros, scoring 12 goals in 51 appearances. His displays for Cobreloa altered Italian side Udinese to Sanchez’s prodigious talents and they bought the youngster for £2 million in 2006.
Udinese sent Sanchez on loan to Cobreloa’s fierce rival Colo-Colo in 2006 where he became an integral part of the team’s victory in both the 2006 Clausura and 2007 Apertura Championships.
The next step in Sanchez’s development was a season-long loan Argentinean giants River Plate. While on loan with Los Millonarios, Sanchez added another winner’s medal to his list of honours with a 2008 Clausura Championship.
After 3 years of loan spells, Sanchez finally arrived in Udinese in the summer of 2008 and slotted straight into the first-team at the Stadio Friuli. He became an instant favourite with the Bianconeri faithful with his tricky displays on the Udinese wing.
With Udinese languishing at the foot of the Serie A table, there is a very good chance that Sanchez would be receptive to a move to Old Trafford. Sanchez himself has expressed a desire to move to United if the opportunity were to present itself. Speaking to Spanish newspaper As, Sanchez said “[United]? Obviously I’d like to play for a club like that”.
Apparently, the feeling is mutual. Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted his interest in the 21-year old as he looks to bolster his attacking options:
“We have looked at Sanchez and he has impressed us, as have other players,”
“He has had very good games and is an interesting project.”
“We have gathered some background, as with other footballers at his level, but nothing more than this – for the moment.”
With United currently without winger Antonio Valencia for the rest of the season, a move for Sanchez in the January transfer window wouldn’t be out of the question.
However, Udinese have tied Sanchez down to a long-term contract at the Stadio Friuli which expires in 2014. No doubt Udinese are reluctant to part with their most coveted asset and it would take a substantial bid from United to secure Sanchez’s services.
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At only 21-years old, Sanchez is already showing incredible promise at such an early stage of his career. He has the ability to be game-changer with his outrageous array of skills while also bringing a winning mentality from his time in South America. The only criticism of Sanchez would be that he doesn’t score enough goals but it is only a minor concern.
If Sir Alex does make a move for the Chilean, it could prove to be a shrewd move in the long-run as Sanchez has the talent to be an Old Trafford legend in the making.