Home > Football > Princes among kings: Liverpool aren't in the same class as Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea
by Leigh-Ervin Jackson on 20 January 2008
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Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are the nation's best sides, competing for the title consistently with squads that could rival other top clubs on the continent. But Liverpool, England's most decorated side, are sadly lacking. The Reds are always tipped for big things at the beginning of every season and, for the most part, fail to deliver. 'Liverpool have a squad of ordinary players, with three or four excellent ones pulling them up by the bootstraps'In fairness, Liverpool have made the Champions League final twice in the last few seasons, a feat not matched by any of the country's other big sides. But they have failed to sustain a title challenge over a 38-game league campaign for one reason – they are simply not good enough. The evidence is in the squads. Which Liverpool players could make it into the first-team of their rivals? Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and maybe at a push Jamie Carragher. Liverpool have a squad of ordinary players, with three or four excellent ones pulling them up by the bootstraps. Players like Dirk Kuyt, Andriy Voronin and Yossi Benayoun would never get anywhere near the Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea starting 11 and, to be fair to Liverpool fans, they deserve better.
Comments (23)
by Truth on January 20, 2008
Yep, that's all they will ever be at this rate.....A cup side
by Neil on January 20, 2008
Liverpool have two match winners, Gerrard and Torres, who could find their way into any team in the world. Beyond that, though, there is a squad of very ordinary players who would not stand out at even an average PL club. When they play without Gerrard or Torres, Liverpool struggle so they can't maintain a serious threat while Tubby insists on rotating.
by Mark on January 20, 2008
It seems to me that Liverpool have a decent enough squad; they lack consistent selection and most of all motivation. They do well in the ECL because it is a cup competition and doesn't require cosnnsitent high quality throughout the season. For that reason I don't understand why some people rate the ECL above winning teh Premier League, that is the true test of consistently being better than the rest. Mark
by Bicks on January 20, 2008
Reina, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Gerrard, Babel and Torres. I'm a gunner and i'd take any of these. We were in the same boat last year. As long as they don't fire Rafa, but do get rid of the Yanks, they will do the same.
by mat on January 20, 2008
how can you say clichy and sagna are 'ordinary players' they are the best full back pairing in the league, evra is also brilliant but our full backs are far better than anything rafa can rotate into those positions at below par liverpool
by JOBO on January 20, 2008
As much as it pains me to say it, I actually think the article is mostly spot on. The only part I disagree with is the 'myth' notion. I think Liverpool can rightly claim to be a part of the 'big 4'. Since 2000 - Liverpool have won 2 league cups, 2 FA Cups, 2 super cups, UEFA cup, European Cup - plus a few finals along the way. This season - they are way off the pace - although winning their games in hand will put them 5 points behind Chelsea who are also in that very position with Arsenal and Utd above them.
by Atom79 on January 20, 2008
What vision.
by Tom on January 20, 2008
I think that article is fairly harsh. While I realise and admit that this season Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all been better than Liverpool in the Premiership this season, you cannot on one season say that Liverpool are not considered in the top bracket of English football. The last two seasons Liverpool have ended above Arsenal, especially in 0506 when Liverpool ended about 16 points clear of Arsenal.. 0607 was a step backwards perhaps, Bellamy and Gonzalez not living up to expectations. But then again Liverpool have not had the transfer funds in previous seasons, and currently to compete for the cream of the crop People will say, "but you spent 26 on torres, 11 ryan babel, 5 benayoun last summer". True but how much of that money was from the new owners? Liverpool received 20 million for getting to the Chmapions League Final in Athens last may, about 10 million television rights they do every summer, and sold Cisse for 8 million, Bellamy for 6 million, Garcia as 6 million and ma
make weight for Fernando Torres. Our new owners were/are supposed to provide us with significant funds to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United, who have spent in excess of 15 million on players on more than just the one Liverpool have with Fernando Torres Liverpool were unbeaten in the league until mid December this season. Then all the off field speculation has clouded over the club like wildfire. It has not been great. Liverpool have got to two Champions League Finals in 3 years? Is that not a good acheivement? Is that not a mark of power? Surely it is and theyre an English club and that is enough to say you are part of the big four Liverpool have been dissappointing this term though I must admit. Often putting in some below par performances, especially for the talent and potential they have. But you have to be clueless to write Liverpool Football Club off anything. Istanbul, Cardiff FA Cup Final, Olympiakos, Barcelona, Chelsea x2, Juventus. In 0506, we lost to Arsenal at Highbury 2-1 at
at the end of Feburary via a poor backpass by Steven Gerrard who played in the lurking Thierry Henry to take round Reina and slot into an empty net. After that game Liverpool went on to win every single game left of the season. From March to May, winning all remaining 9 premiership fixtures They have got the best clean sheet record the club has ever had, beating off the famous 80's and 70's sides records Although Liverpool have been below par this season, they are not an easy team to beat with only 2 defeats. But Tom Hicks and George Gillett are not helping things with their offield antics. If Liverpool can get a run going like they have proven in the past then things will look different. Just wait and see what happens before jumping to harsh knee jerk opinions Tom YNWA
by Leigh-Ervin Jackson on January 20, 2008
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by ro on January 20, 2008
no hopers the lot of you get a life ....100% silverware in europe this last century who hauled that.....LIVERPOOL...we will rise through this crock of **** and you lot will eat your words ..that is a promise...
by AMAC on January 20, 2008
Liverpool have 2 players in their squad that would get in the arsenal team. Gerrard and Torres. So if our squad is average then God knows what your squad is? Pathetic scouse idiot. Just like the rest of them! Get a job.
by Lee Delaney on January 20, 2008
Although you make some good points, you conveniently forget that at the beginning of this season it was the big 3 and Arsenal. You have been awsome this season but I believe that United will unfortunately win the league. And you mention Liverpool's spending power, Rafa has only ever signed 1 player over 12mil (Houllier signed Cisse), where as Ferguson currently has... deep breath... Ferdinand, Carrick, Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Ronaldo, Rooney and Saha. Thats not including the likes of Veron and Van Nistelrooy who have been and gone, and the eventual completion of a 30million pound Tevez. Chelsea's spending power doesn't even need to be mentioned. Arsene has done magnificently on a tight budget and hopefully Benitez will be able to do that same if he gets the time to bring through some good youngsters. Bear in mind though that Benitez wanted to sign the likes of Denilson and Walcott before Arsene first set eyes upon them, but the board wouldn't splash the cash. And Mascherano wouldn't get into the Arsenal
by Jordan on January 20, 2008
Yes your correct as Liverpool are not in the same class as Arsenal etc. They are in a higher class. End off.
by Gaga on January 20, 2008
Liverpool are a cup team and they have been for a long time now. As i have said on many occasions those who think Liverpool are going to win the league and have said it each and every year havent got a clue. There is still alot more work to be done at Liverpool than you think. 2 Strikers needed, (goal scorers not work horses) and 2 very good pacy wingers on either flank for starters. The middle of the park is our strongest area. The yanks to be replaced as they conduct things in the wrong manner not to mention are a bunch of liars.
team over Flamini?? Dream on!
by Mindhunter on January 20, 2008
[quote]Yes your correct as Liverpool are not in the same class as Arsenal etc. They are in a higher class. End off.[/quote] Another delusional scouser living on another planet... And stop whining that you are not given enough money for your cheque book manager to splash and buy you the league! The more he spends the less he achieves - money is not the problem, your gaffer is!
Mindhunter, cheque book manager? most of the players we sign are less than 10 million. We sell and buy. We finally spent big on Torres last summer however when you look at Man United and Chelsea, look at how many 15 million signings they have made cheque book manager, I have never heard such rubbish before. The whole reason why we sold to the Americans was because we needed money to compete at the top end of the market. Unfortunatley the Americans are snakes but the purpose was so we could spend big. You have to spend big these days. Wenger is a very talented manager so hes a one off, I have a lot of respect for Wenger but you must also show respect to Benitez. 2 La Ligas, UEFA Cup, Champions League, FA Cup, Super Cup, League Cup Finalist and Champions League Finalist Our gaffer is not the problem at all. The backbone to Liverpool is there. Agger and Carragher at the back, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano in the middle, Torres and Ryan Babel are the key players for Liverpool.Now if we spend big like Ch
by American Red on January 20, 2008
can Arsenal fans (including Mr Jackson) check this link http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158478080118 -1144.htm. I can not see any Arsenal player in the UEFA team. Rafa is underachieving there is no question about that. He is a tactian and expert in Europe but his style of football is not for the premiership. To his credit what he has achieved in Europe is far better than Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho. Last point, Rafa realised that he is not going to win this year, that why he came out and talk publically about the owners. But I think that will fire back on him if continue to show little progress even if he wins the chamion league agin
by Tera on January 20, 2008
A cup side? Possibly true but I doubt many Liverpool fans will fret over that. They CAN see why you know? Sometimes it's unfair to measure Liverpool based on their reach for the title. They haven't been disastrous. You have lots more research to do. Spending power? That has to be the BIGGEST mistake in the article and most of my dissatisfaction for this article revolves around it. Benitez had to recycle, rebuild and live on a team of pure class a heck load of bargain players before the arrival of Torres. and yet, they still managed to beat Chelsea twice AND conquer Europe. "In fairness"? Doesn't seem appropriate for a team who's won the Champions League. No vision. Not enough facts. Note: Majority of the fans will gladly pick Jamie Carragher over any other defenders from their rivals. Liverpool don't have a manager who's been in the league for the past 10 years or an owner who would willingly purchase the whole of Fantasy Football XI. Thus, the second-rated players. I will be fair and say that yes, the
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