Crucially, a lot still factors around the presence of Carragher. His ability to organise and co-ordinate the Liverpool back line is of paramount importance. It’s without him that I begin to question the options available.
Daniel Agger stated after the 3-3 draw with Valerenga, of which he scored 2 of them, that: “The amount of goals that we have conceded is not good enough. We need to show we can keep a clean sheet and we have got to defend better.” Pepe Reina echoed his sentiments by stating: “We have a lot of work ahead of us. We cannot afford to conceded so many goals. To let in three is not our identity.”
Fifteen goals in five pre-season games against the likes of Guandong, Malaysia XI, Hull, Galatasaray and Valerenga isn’t the best of pre-seasons, that much is certain. Perhaps too much has been made of the club’s defensive frailties so far – pre-season is often a time to gel new players and improve the squad’s base level of fitness, and while that may be happening, the lack of cohesion at the back is a cause for concern.
Good centre halves do not grow on trees, but with the club looking to shift towards a more attacking and attractive style of play, based on the evidence so far in pre-season, something appears to have been lost in terms of the overall balance of the side. Tougher tests await the club and while Dalglish is sure to have something up his sleeve, with plenty of time left in the transfer window, a move for a commanding centre back certainly makes sense both in the short and long-term. Gary Cahill is the latest name to be linked and he would certainly signal a step in the right direction.
To put it quite simply, the issue over the tightening up the side’s porous back line now has to be the club’s top priority for the remainder of the summer transfer window, otherwise a season marred by inconsistent results and defensive uncertainty awaits.
Written by James McManus fot FootballFancast.com. You can follow me on Twitter at – http://twitter.com/#!/JamesMcManus1
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Okay. If Wilson is only “acceptable” then why was the money wasted on buying him then?
If rumour has it they did try to sign Phil Jones. Maybe after they get rid of a few player they may put in a bid for a Shawcross,Dann, etc.
Agger is a poor defender – no question. His manner on the pitch indicates to me that HE thinks he’s pretty special. Agger, you aren’t that great lad.
Hahahahahaha is that a joke? Agger is absolutely world class when he’s not injured.
Agger is a wonderful defender and very committed to Liverpool FC. Such commitment, talent and effort bar the injuries is what we want at Liverpool FC.
i feel you…james oh james
I totally agree. Its what is killing me at the moment about this summer. We have still not rectified our weakness in defence and its going to cost us champions league and possibly winning the league. As much as it kills me to say United won last season based on their solid defence. Cahil should have been our first summer signing. What’s the point of spending all our money on what we do not need. Our midfield was great as it was. If we purchase Cahil then the league is ours next season.
Get your facts straight. Last season in the league we conceded 44 goals – United conceded 37. Not a huge difference, and we only leaked one more goal than Arsenal who finished in fourth. By contrast we scored 59 goals compared to Utd’s 78. This suggests the front-line, and the supply to the front-line was the priority to strengthen – which we have done. My main concern is keeping Skrtel, Carragher and Agger fit – if they stay fit we’ll be fine. Don’t forget Kelly is a centre-half by trade and he was shaping up to be our young player of the season before his injury.
wise up, liverpool badly need a new centre back, and kelly was dreadful against galatasaray
You’ve virtually said it yourself in the article – Agger would make a wonderful DM! He has all the defensive qualities needed, passes really well, and loves to get forward when the opportunity arises. And he has a hell of a left-foot shot!
Given some experience at the position, he could make people forget about Makelele – and Mascherano. And playing at DM, he would not get as much heavy-duty hammer (hence injuries) as he would at CB.
i def agree we need a defender or 2.agger and johnson regularly pick up injuries and kiri is not up to standard plus carra isnt gettin any younger.kelly looked really good ,i really hope he isnt too injury prone so we can see allot more of him
It’s not that big of a opportunity if you have to spend 17 mil. to get a player.
There are defenders equally good at a lower price.
I’m dissapointed that Liverpool missed to sign Zapata, he could have been good and can cover full back position too.
inaccurate and poorly researched article. the header implies that we have not gone after Cahill. LFC went after Jones, and remain linked with Dann, Cahill and Shawcross. We will be signing another centre-half and also a left back, where your article seems to forget the existence of the multi-talented Aurelio. Like Agger, he just needs to stay clear of injuries. JM our midfield was not ‘great as it was’. Lucas was great, Kuyt excellent. Gerrard injured. The midfield functioned well when we played five, but if we are going to play Suarez and Carroll, they need the strength to manage with four. Mereiles is too weak for that, as is Aquilani. So we would have only Kuyt – Spearing – Lucas – Maxi….. great as it was ? We will sign a centre half, a left back, and a back-up forward to replace Ngog. Then we are ready.
MARTIN KELLY!!!!