central defense needs a revamping

[JimBobCooters]

Henchoz and Hyypia are not cutting it lately. Agree or disagree, and if you agree, who should Liverpool replace them with?

[Suss]

I agree. I think we need a younger central defender with some pace to replace one of them. Both Hyppia and Henchov can still play, but they are too slow to play together. As far as replacements go...I would love to have Mexes from Auxerre, but he will probably go to a big club in Spain or Italy.

[youllneverwalkalone]

I honestly like Hyypia back there, he's saved our asses quite a few times, heck, he even scored today. But Henchoz on the other hand, I think has gotta go, but who to replace him with? I have no idea who we could even afford or who would want to come play for us. But I guess that's why i'm just a fan.

[dogboy17]

Lets face it most big central defenders are lumbering oaths with the exception of Rio Ferdinand so it is all about finding the guys that can position themselves the best. As well as Biscan filled it at the back he is not an option due to his weakness in the air from set pieces. I would stick with the two H's. They have worked well in seasons gone past and really I think all then need is a good run of games together to gel again.

[Matt Clark]

Michael Dawson is the most likely replacement for Henchoz. Rumour has it that Henchoz is set for a move to GK Zurich in the summer, with the young Nottingham Forest defender taking his place alongside Hyypia.

Mexes is good but has the same problem many of Houllier's most recent buys have had - no experience of English football. We must go for players who will not need a season to bed in. Coming from the First Division into the Premier League is nowhere near as big a leap as coming from Le Championat or another foreign league.

This summer, on the assumption that Houllier is still with us, I see us buying Cisse and Dawson, plus a right-sided midfielder (my money is on Steed Malbranque). Outgoing will be Heskey, Diao, Traore, Henchoz and possibly Dudek. It is to be hoped that Babbel is brought back for another season as well, especially with Finnan proving alarmingly volatile in terms of form.

[oojason]

^ I think you could probably add Smicer to that list of players leaving - his contract would only have a year left and has suffered too many niggling injuries to be given another?

Vignal too may be on his way. A shame he got injured when broke through and apparently hasn't had/deserves a chance since.

IMHO Malbranque would be a shrewd buy - not too expensive, is young, can play either side, Prem experienced, a bit of Euro exp too and most importantly can pick a pass through a packed defence, and a decent crosser of a ball to boot - would certainly give Kewell and Diouf some competition for places.

[655321]

I agree, there's no reason for us to have to blame attacking so much on defensive lapses. Hyypia and Henchoz were a solid rock for several years, but that's clearly gone and we don't have to argue about who the weakest link in that pairing is. In terms of Biscan...no I don't think so. I know Houllier wants to believe that one of his personal discoveries would be the man to take care of it, but unfortunately I think we'll have to shell out some big bucks and beat some other teams to the punch and sign a big name player. Biscan is nowhere near a starting center back on a European power-house side.

[Suss]

Originally posted by Matt Clark
Michael Dawson is the most likely replacement for Henchoz. Rumour has it that Henchoz is set for a move to GK Zurich in the summer, with the young Nottingham Forest defender taking his place alongside Hyypia.

Mexes is good but has the same problem many of Houllier's most recent buys have had - no experience of English football. We must go for players who will not need a season to bed in. Coming from the First Division into the Premier League is nowhere near as big a leap as coming from Le Championat or another foreign league.

This summer, on the assumption that Houllier is still with us, I see us buying Cisse and Dawson, plus a right-sided midfielder (my money is on Steed Malbranque). Outgoing will be Heskey, Diao, Traore, Henchoz and possibly Dudek. It is to be hoped that Babbel is brought back for another season as well, especially with Finnan proving alarmingly volatile in terms of form.

I think your right, Dawson is most likely replacement. I don't think Mexes would have too much trouble adjusting to the Premiership because he is just pure class. However, Mexes won't come to Liverpool because all the top clubs in Europe are after him, and he already said that he prefers Spain and Italy.