25 Pepe Reina-SPAIN (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 4.0/5.0
Simply the best performer for the Reds this season. Despite a few errors in the opening months, Reina consistently made important saves or the Reds could have been in bottom of the league with disastrous defensive performance.
RB
2 Glen Johnson-ENGLAND (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 2.0/5.0 (under Hodgson) 3.5/5.0 (under Dalgish)
Arrived as the best attacking right back in the country, but his talent in attack can never make up for his countless mistakes at the back. Every Kop wants him to switch from right back to right wing. Dalgish has switched him to left back to accomodate Kelly to carry on his good work at the right back and also to make Johnson focus more on defensive duty. (Yet, since the comeback of the King, Johnson seems like a different man with new refreshed positive attitude and even willing to give up his RB role for Kelly to focus on his new LB role.)
34 Martin Kelly-ENGLAND (local youth) performance rating: 3.5/5.0
Impressive youngster has been producing solid performance at the right back whenever called upon. Natural CB who can play anywhere across the defensive line. Finally earned recognition and was now the starting right back under King Kenny, and could even represent his country in the future.
LB
6 Fabio Aurelio-BRAZIL (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
Despite being the best LB for the team (which certainly doesn't mean he is good enough to be starting left back for LFC), persistent injury avoid him from taking the starting left back spot. Nowadays, more of a utility substitute capable of playing both left back and left midfield.
3 Paul Konchesky-ENGLAND (bought by Hodgson) performance rating: 2.5/5.0
Hodgson's starting LB in Fulham, but never shows he has the quality to make the LFC side. Crowd has shown displeasure for his starting role in the team by booing him. Never has the ability to support the attack, but his rather medicore defensive performance actually not worse than Skrtel and Johnson this season.
CB
23 Jamie Carragher-ENGLAND (local youth) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
No doubt that Carragher has not been in best of form like everybody else in LFC defensive line this season. While he remains as a liability in defending crosses/headers in the CB role, his leadership quality and consistency still superior to the disappointing Skrtel. Dislocated his shoulder in November that forced him to sideline for a few months. The collpase of LFC defense was even more prominent without him in the side since November.
5 Daniel Agger-DENMARK (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
Not Hodgson's type of defender as Agger has doubted Hodgson's safety-first approach in defending with quick clearence at the back being the main priority. With appointment of Dalgish, Agger will have a change of fortunate as King Kenny loves his ball-holding ability and good read of the game. The big question is will he be able to stay injury-free, something that he has never been able to accomplish during his premiership career.
37 Martin Skrtel-SLOVAKIA (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 1.5/5.0 !!!
Was one of the most talented young defenders in Europe when he arrived at Liverpool few seasons ago, but has declined each season even at his prime age. Has made unaccpetable numbers of horrible defensive mistakes this season with his failure to defend headers, miss-timed clearence and being out-paced by speedy forwards. Still ever presence under both Hodgson and now Daglish. Must try to get back to his old form as time is almost up for him with the comeback of Carragher, establishment of Agger in the side, soon emergence of young Danny Wilson and continuous rumor of new CB signing.
16 Sotirios Kyrgiakos-GREECE (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.5/5.0
When Carragher and Skrtel both sturggled in defending headers, Kyrgiakos has been a more efficient partner for both CBs as his strength in headers nicely compliment their weakness. Has also shown good heading ability in the offensive end with important heading goals. Yet, he is slow in his turn and his defensive positioning is awful at times. He is more of Hodgson' type of defender but not really King's ideal type of CB.
CMF
8 Steven Gerrard-ENGLAND (local youth) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
A stop-start season for Captain Gerrard's so far. Has struggled to find his best form since the team lost Alonso and Mascherano, with the team never found suitable replacement in the defensive midfield and a central midfielder who can direct traffic in the middle of the field. Gerrard has since been pushed back to central/defensive midfield role which denies his freedom and effectiveness as attacking midfield to provide creativity and offensive spark. Occassionally still capable to save the team, but injury and suspension has affected him so far. Gerrard has been greatly inspired by King's appointment and has promised to try his very best for the rest of the season to keep his idol in the job. King's 4-2-3-1 formation could see Gerrard back to the AMF role just behind Torres.
4 Raul Meireles-PORTUGAL (bought by Hodgson) performance rating: 3.5/5.0 (under Hodgson) 4.0/5.0 (under Dalgish)
In many Kops' view, the only right decision for Hodgson is the capture of the Portugal versatile midfield at a bargain price. Has taken less time to adapt to English game compared to most foreign MF. Has been forced to play as RMF by Hodgson to accommodate Gerrard and Lucas in the CMF in 4-4-2. With King's appointment, Meireles can play more at his natural CMF position in 4-2-3-1. Although he has failed to score a single goal under Hodgson, he has been the STAR of the show as he flourished instantly under Dalgish with 2 sensation goals along with assists. Could be Gerrard's crucial partner in 4-2-3-1, but can also play in Gerrard's AMF role in his absence.
21 Lucas Levia-BRAZIL (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.5/5.0
I have been one of the heaviest critics on Lucas during his first three seasons with the Reds. Came as Brazil under-20 captain as well as MVP of Brazilian league with Benitez described him as "new Gerrard", Lucas had Kops holding high expectation but it took little time for us to know he is far from what we expected. He is not strong and tall enough to be DMF, does not have scoring and playmaking ability to be AMF and also has no speed and dribbling skills like 99% of Brazilian players. Yet, he has been favorite of Benitez and still kept his starting place under Hodgson and Dalgish. (granted the departure of Mascherano and Alonso have opened the door for him) As Kops have much lower expectation on him, Lucas has been playing his game- hard-worker helping out defense and attack, making simple pass and keeping his fitness as highest level to avoid injury. With most big name players slump with form and injury, Lucas has been one of the most consistent players for the Reds with slow but much-appreciated improvement in his game since last season.
28 Christan Poulsen-DENMARK (bought by Hodgson) performance rating: 2.5/5.0
With Mascherano forcing his way to join Barcelona in early season just before the close of the summer transfer window, Hodgson had little time/money to fill the DMF void and end up signing Danish international veteran Poulsen who is highly experienced and had achieved success with Sevilla in Spain but has gone downhill for the past couple of seasons with Juventus. Despite being Hodgson's favorite, Poulsen has struggled with the pace and up-tempo of English game, mainly serving bench role behind Lucas. Ironically, with King's coming in, Poulsen started to receive more opportunity than Hodgson's era.
33 Jonjo Shelvey-ENGLAND (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
18 year-old English MF who had played key role for Charlton Athletic in Championship Division last season. His fearless, confident and enthusiastic display in MF resembles young Gerrard. Although he had yet made any real contribution to the team, he had earned quick recognition from King Kenny and had been given playing time as late 2nd half substitutions for all games under King so far.
RMF/LMF
18 Dirk Kuyt-HOLLAND (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
The most diligent player for the Reds continued to play as RW under Hodgson and Kenny, after transformed from FW to WG by Benitez mainly to hide for his lackluster performance as a FW and also due to the lack of natural winger in the team. A very efficient player who can score,assist and tackle, but has no pace and dribbling, with both being the most lacking elements in the Reds game. Rarely injured, Dirk also has also sidelined for a few weeks but has been as steady as ever after quick recovery. However, for the team to take the next step, Reds should try to find a natural winger with speed and dribbling ability. At the same time, Kuyt's below par finishing ability is also a big hurdle for him to claim a starting spot as FW.
17 Maxi Rodriguez-ARGENTINA (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.5/5.0
Highly experienced Argentina International is best known for his goal scoring ability as a midfield. Although he has played mostly as a RMF/LMF throughout his career, he has never been a natural winger with pace, dribbling and crossing ability. He is good at getting to scoring position in the penalty box, but requires assists from teammates. However, what LFC demands more is winger who can create chances for strikers rather than scoring goals. Having said that, Maxi has found his form from mid-October till early December. Had he not been scoring vital goals, LFC could have been in even bigger trouble with Torres and others struggled big time.
10 Joe Cole-ENGLAND (bought by Hodgson) performance rating: 2.0/5.0
The biggest hope of the summer acquisition turns out to be the biggest disappointment. Had shown his will to succeed but his determination was quickly cooled off by 1st half send off for his ugly tackle in his debut game vs Arsenal in season opener. Subsequently affected by injury and failed to meet the high expectation from manager, teammates and Reds faithful. Had complained about not given his preferred central role in the midfield but was really more of an excuses. No doubt about his ability to be an impact player for the team, but long injury problem may have taken a lot out of his natural talent. Similar to Owen and Rooney, he has breakout too early in his teen, declined at rather young age and has been playing more like a 33 year old. Could King Kenny rejuvenate Joe Cole to get back to his A game?
14 Milan Jovanovic-SERBIA (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 2.5/5.0
Serbian international has failed to adapt to the English game. Simlar to Kuyt,Maxi and Cole, the Serbian scoring midfield is not a natural winger. He actually has the strength and skills to be a success in England. It just hasn't happened under Hodgson. May be a switch to play a further forward role fits him better. Rumor had him leaving the Reds soon, but I do believe he has a future in the team but really needs to develop some understanding with his teammates soon.
FW
9 Fernando Torres-SPAIN (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.0/5.0 (under Hodgson) 3.5/5.0 (under Dalgish)
24 David N'Gog-FRANCE (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.5/5.0
19 Ryan Babel-HOLLAND (bought by Benitez) performance rating: 3.0/5.0
Wasted raw talent. Neither a winger nor a striker. As a winger, he has speed but no crossing ability. As a striker, he has no finishing and positioning sense possessed by a natural striker. Making excuse by complaining about not getting striker role, but never produce convincing performance whenever used as main striker. Has been a selfish player in his early Reds career with no teamwork sense, but has recently more willing to pass the ball only due to losing confidence in his own ability. Has scored goals in occasion, but was given up by the King with him joining German side Hoffenheim in January transfer window.
