Hybrid Team Matchups

[CHSsoccer08]

I thought this would be an interesting approach to match up analysis. You may or may not agree.... Create a starting XI using the best player for each position from Liverpool and their upcoming opponent.

Liverpool v Citeh

-------------Pepe---------------
Richards----Agger---Carra----Riise
Babel---Stevie----Masch----Petrov
--------Elano---------------------
---------------Torres-------------

Summary:
Liverpool - 8/11
Citeh- 3/11

[Grinners89]

I thought this would be an interesting approach to match up analysis. You may or may not agree.... Create a starting XI using the best player for each position from Liverpool and their upcoming opponent.

Liverpool v Citeh

----------------Pepe---------------
Richards----Agger---Carra----Riise
Babel---Stevie----Masch----Petrov
-----------Elano---------------------
-----------------Torres-------------

Summary:
Liverpool - 8/11
Citeh- 3/11

Firstly, Richards plays at CB not RB and Finnan is a better RB anyway. Yossi has been much better than Babel when starting a game and Riise has been our worst player this season except for Momo...which is why Garrido is at LB (he has started 16/19 games and has looked solid most of the season).
If we are going on this season (which would be the smartest idea) then Dunne or Richards should start at CB ahead of Agger who has been injured.

-----------------Pepe---------------
Finnan---Carra----Dunne----Garrido
Yossi----Stevie---Masch----Petrov
--------------Elano------------------
-------------------Torres------------

[CHSsoccer08]

Firstly, Richards plays at CB not RB and Finnan is a better RB anyway. Yossi has been much better than Babel when starting a game and Riise has been our worst player this season except for Momo...which is why Garrido is at LB (he has started 16/19 games and has looked solid most of the season).
If we are going on this season (which would be the smartest idea) then Dunne or Richards should start at CB ahead of Agger who has been injured.


Thanks for joining the debate. While Yossi may have a better track record starting thus far, I still feel Babel is the more viable option on the wing. Past few seasons our time has desperately lacked speed on the wings, I think Babel has finally provided that speed to beat defenders down the wing. Yossi has show some moments of flair, but I think he detracts from the width of the side which is essential to provide Fernando the space he needs to operate and score. Riise hasnt had a good season I agree, but worse player this season? I think that honor falls to Momo with room to spare. I feel Dirk has had a worse season than Riise as well. With that said, I dont feel Garrido offers anything that Riise cannot.

[Grinners89]

Riise hasnt had a good season I agree, but worse player this season? I think that honor falls to Momo with room to spare. I feel Dirk has had a worse season than Riise as well. With that said, I dont feel Garrido offers anything that Riise cannot.

Read my post again and you will see that i said "Riise has been our worst player this season except for Momo".

Riise offers many mistakes and uncertainty while Garrido has offered City a solid LB who they can rely on. Name one thing that Riise has offered this season...to me he has not offered attacking support, defensive support, good passing, accurate/dangerous crosses, assists, goals or consistency.

Kuyt, who you say has been our worst player this season has scored 7 goals this season while Tevez and Rooney, who have had great seasons have scored 8 and 9 goals respectively.

[CHSsoccer08]

Read my post again and you will see that i said "Riise has been our worst player this season except for Momo".

Riise offers many mistakes and uncertainty while Garrido has offered City a solid LB who they can rely on. Name one thing that Riise has offered this season...to me he has not offered attacking support, defensive support, good passing, accurate/dangerous crosses, assists, goals or consistency.

Kuyt, who you say has been our worst player this season has scored 7 goals this season while Tevez and Rooney, who have had great seasons have scored 8 and 9 goals respectively.

Yes you are right, i missed your qualification on Momo, my apologies.

Riise does offer good marking, no question does he get beat at times but he has shown a tendency to step up in big games with spectacular moments. I have long welcomed a new addition at LB and still wonder what a difference Heinze would have made this season, but would I be excited if Garrido was brought in to shore up the LB position, not at all.

In my recollection Kuyt has scored 3 goals in the premiership this season, correct me if I am wrong. Of which only one was from the run of play, with 2 coming from the spot against Everton. So that leaves us with 1 goal from the run of play halfway through the season. Needless to stay statistics do not tell the whole story. Dirk hustles. He runs and run and runs, and I love him for that, I admire his effort. But to be honest that effort is a characteristic desired in the midfield, not at striker. Yes, I know here comes the argument, he aids the build up. I don't buy it. He falls so deep that he actually takes away from the space available to our creative players in the midfield. His first touch has been lackluster and his vision sub-par. He was bought a hefty price, and am the first to admit I was excited when we purchased him, but as a starter Dirk, does not cut it. I don't advocate selling him simply because we would be forced to take a significant loss on the transaction. I do feel in certain games he has a lot to offer, and is a great sub when the team is ahead as he is terrific at applying pressure to the opposition defense and at times creating a mistake which can lead to the dagger. But if we intend to challenge for the title before Man U over takes the all time leadership position in that category we must find a striker or CAM who can pull defenders away and provide more space for Torres to operate.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I thought this would be an interesting approach to match up analysis. You may or may not agree.... Create a starting XI using the best player for each position from Liverpool and their upcoming opponent.

Liverpool v Citeh

-------------Pepe---------------
Richards----Agger---Carra----Riise
Babel---Stevie----Masch----Petrov
--------Elano---------------------
---------------Torres-------------

Summary:
Liverpool - 8/11
Citeh- 3/11

I like the idea CHS, this could be really fun.

Everyone calm down and listen to the best lineup, from my brain of course.

;)

-------------------------Reina-------------------------
Richards------Carra-----------Dunne--------Arbeloa
--------------------Mascherano-----------------------
---------------Elano-----------Gerrard---------------
--Yossi---------------------------------------Petrov--
-----------------------Torres--------------------------

Subs - Agger, Garrido, Alonso, Didi, Kewell

Try to make it a little more even spread and less bias towards Liverpool. Richards can play on the right, he did a good job for England out there and him and Yossi would combine well. Dunne and Carra would be a solid middle pair, and Arbeloa would obviously hold his own on the left.

In the center of midfield, things would get ridiculous. Either starting Mascherano or Alonso behind Elano (creative) and Gerrard (work horse) would be a handful for any team to stop. Not to mention Torres and the two creative wingers Yossi and Petrov. Bench is also a loaded spot.

I am actually very excited for tomorrows game. This season Man City has been the team I have been impressed with and have a soft spot for when they are not playing Liverpool, and especially when they are playing the scum.

Again, CHS, great idea.

[Grinners89]

Yes you are right, i missed your qualification on Momo, my apologies.

No worries ;)

Riise does offer good marking, no question does he get beat at times but he has shown a tendency to step up in big games with spectacular moments. I have long welcomed a new addition at LB and still wonder what a difference Heinze would have made this season, but would I be excited if Garrido was brought in to shore up the LB position, not at all.

Riise does offer good marking ability, but he has been turned inside out on occasions this season as has on more than 5 occasions been caught ball watching whilst an opposition player has run behind him...which is unforgivable as an experienced LB. Heinze has shown at Madrid why Rafa wanted him so badly. Whether at LB or at CB this season he has done his job and never looked clumsy and never made goal scoring errors. Marcelo has been nurtured into the LB position during less important games while Heinze has started the very important games at either LB (eg vs Barcelona) or at CB and he has done well. I would also not want Garrido in our team and i agree with CCSC that Arbs should be at LB in the team...although Finnan is certainly better than Richards.

In my recollection Kuyt has scored 3 goals in the premiership this season, correct me if I am wrong. Of which only one was from the run of play, with 2 coming from the spot against Everton. So that leaves us with 1 goal from the run of play halfway through the season. Needless to stay statistics do not tell the whole story. Dirk hustles. He runs and run and runs, and I love him for that, I admire his effort. But to be honest that effort is a characteristic desired in the midfield, not at striker. Yes, I know here comes the argument, he aids the build up. I don't buy it. He falls so deep that he actually takes away from the space available to our creative players in the midfield. His first touch has been lackluster and his vision sub-par.

I think your opinion of Kuyt has been influenced by media, people on BS and possibly others because Kuyt doesnt just track back into midfield and clog up space. Watch Kuyt vs Portsmouth and that is an example of him cleverly and effectively running the channels...Torres the left and Kuyt the right. In this game he also tracked back and played with his back to goal as well as his usual high pressure on the defence. His first-touch in this game was not bad and he was involved in a few very nice moves.

Another example of Kuyt at his very best was against Newcastle...if you watch in the first half leading up to Gerrard's goal his movement off the ball is superb and he continued that throughout the match and this has been what he has done constantly. There was one passage of play where we were passing the ball around the half way line and trying to break down the Newcastle defence and every single time a pass went forward it was to Kuyts feet, he was always the one providing the option. This is a reason why Torres gets more chances on goal when he is partnered with Kuyt than with Voronin or Crouch.

The main thing i think he needs to improve is his finishing which has been worse this year for some reason. This season his shots on goal/shot attempts is at 33% whereas Torres is shooting at above 50% (our only player to do so) and Gerrard, Crouch, Babel and Voronin are all shooting at just under 50% of shots on target

Also, if i were to choose the best possible team...excluding current form and injuries then this would be it:

____________Reina_____________

Finnan___Carra____Agger___Arbeloa

____________Masch_____________

____Elano____Gerrard____Kewell___

____________Torres_____________

[CHSsoccer08]

Liverpool v. Wigan

--------Pepe------------
Finnan---Agger--Carra----Aurellio
Koumas--Gerrard--Masch--Babel
------Torres---Bent-----------

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Liverpool v. Wigan

--------Pepe------------
Finnan---Agger--Carra----Aurellio
Koumas--Gerrard--Masch--Babel
------Torres---Bent-----------

Agree with that lineup, thought if Heskey was healthy I would be inclined to pair him with Torres. But really, putting any Wigan player in the Liverpool starting lineup (apart from Koumas) is being really kind.

[Grinners89]

Liverpool v. Wigan

--------Pepe------------
Finnan---Agger--Carra----Aurellio
Koumas--Gerrard--Masch--Babel
------Torres---Bent-----------

I know im being a perfectionist but Agger and Koumas usually play on the left. Given that i would put Kewell ahead of him on the left i have put him on the RW as he would deserve to be in the team

____________Reina_____________

Finnan___Carra___Agger___Aurelio

________Masch___Xabi_________

Koumas_____Gerrard_______Kewell

___________Torres_____________

[liverbird]

---------Carragher
Carragher--- Carragher ---Carragher---Carragher
Carragher--- Carragher ---Carragher---Carragher
---------------Carragher---Carragher

[Salama]

Non-Liverpool's fan's view:

W/ Wigan:

-------------Pepe------------
Finnan---Agger--Carra----Aurellio
------------Mascherano------
Benayoun--Gerrard-Alonso--Babel
-----------Torres--------------

No Wigan players get anywhere near the starting lineup, although Baines would probably have been the left-back if he hadn't moved to Everton.

W/ Manchester City:

-------------Pepe---------------
Arbeloa--Richards-Carragher---Aurelio
Elano---Stevie----Masch----Petrov
--------Crouch--Torres-------------

I went with Richards at CB because I think he would form a nice pair with Carragher, since their strengths and weaknesses seem a good match, at least on paper.

The fullbacks are a tough call, although mostly for the same reasons Benitez hasn't settled on his two. Garrido has been very overrated in this thread so far. He's a worse choice than Aurelio or Arbeloa.

Elano and Petrov walk right into the team. Torres and Gerrard do the same. So the question is which two players complement this group of 4 the best. Obviously, a holding/somewhat defensive midfielder is needed to allow that group to function well. I went with Mascherano because most of you guys seem to prefer him to Alonso. Against good teams, I would probably just play both behind Elano, Gerrard and Petrov in a 5 man midfield.

I prefer Babel playing sort of central, and was tempted to select him although I went with Crouch in, since Benayoun might be redundant and Crouch could profit off of the work of Petrov and Elano to form a nice partnership with Torres. A team this good would be faced with a lot of negative football being played by their opponents. The best way to break down a team playing with 10 behind the ball is to have two strikers who can cause problems near goal in addition to contributing to buildup play.

I think this team would be one striker purchase away from winning the Premiership. The midfield is absolutely incredible.

[CHSsoccer08]

No reason to do this for Luton. Until next week.... be safe kids.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Totally forgot about this thread.

Here would be my Liverpool-Boro Hybrid team

--------------------Reina----------------------
Finnan---Woodgate----Carragher---Pogatetz
Pennant--Gerrard---Mascherano---Downing
-------------Torres-----Babel-----------------

Subs
Arbeloa
Alonso
Boateng
Kewell
Tuncay

Here would be my Liverpool-Villa Hybrid team

-------------------------Reina-------------------------
Mellberg-----Carragher-------Laursen-------Barry
Pennant------Gerrard--------Mascherano-----Young
---------------Torres---------Abonglahor-------------

Subs
Arbeloa
Riise
Babel
Reo-Coker
Crouch

In the two teams I put above I am being very kind to our two opponents, and trying to be as unbiased as possible.

[el-capitano]

interesting thread- i'll have a think and get back to y'all ;)

[Grinners89]

Boro vs Liverpool team

____________Reina____________

Finnan___Carra__Agger__Pogatetz

________Masch__Xabi_________

Pennant____Gerrard_____Downing

___________Torres____________

Bench: Schwarzer, Arbs, Kewell, Babel, Tuncay


Liverpool vs Aston Villa team

___________Reina____________

____Carra__Laursen__Agger____

Finnan_____Masch_______Aurelio

___________Gerrard____________

Ag'lahor_____Torres______Young

Bench: Carson, Barry, Kewell, Babel, Carew

[CHSsoccer08]

Been out of town for a few weeks, and the Luton matchups did not merit this type of analysis. Here is my go for Pool vs. Villa. Hopefully they can deliver 3 points on my birthday.

-------------------Pepe--------------------
Finnan-----Carra----Mellberg----------Barry
Agbonlahor---Masch----Stevie-------Petrov
------------Torres----------Babel---------

I know Babel doesn't play up top, YET, but Villa doesn't have anyone who partners well with Nando IMHO and it pains me too much to put Kuyt's name on the team sheet.

Total Players:
Liverpool - 7
Villa - 4

[Grinners89]

Been out of town for a few weeks, and the Luton matchups did not merit this type of analysis. Here is my go for Pool vs. Villa. Hopefully they can deliver 3 points on my birthday.

-------------------Pepe--------------------
Finnan-----Carra----Mellberg----------Barry
Agbonlahor---Masch----Stevie-------Petrov
------------Torres----------Babel---------

I know Babel doesn't play up top, YET, but Villa doesn't have anyone who partners well with Nando IMHO and it pains me too much to put Kuyt's name on the team sheet.

Total Players:
Liverpool - 7
Villa - 4

The problem i have with your hybrid team is that Mellberg hasnt played at CB, Barry hasnt played at LB, Petrov hasnt played at LM (if anything he is a RM) and Agbonlahor has barely played at RW.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Skipping the FA Cup tie I will give the hybrid team for Sunderland.

--------------------Reina-------------------
Arbeloa---McShane------Carra-----Aurelio
Pennant---Gerrard-------Masch--Richardson
------------Torres--------Jones--------------

Subs
Gordon
Higginbotham
Babel
Alonso
Kuyt

Of course I am being kind to Sunderland, but it's no fun if you always put Liverpool players in ;) :)

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I will do Liverpool v. West Ham as well

--------------------Reina------------------
Neill-------Upson-------Carra----McCartney
Gerrard---Masch-------Alonso----Etherington
------------Torres------Ashton-----------------

Subs
Green
Finnan
Ljuneberg
Benayoun
Crouch