2011/2012 Liverpool FC Squad

GK

25 Pepe Reina – Spain
- One of the top GK in the premiership will certainly continue to start for the Reds. His overall performance has kept improving, but seems to have lost his ability in saving penalty last season. Had/Will hernia problem affect his performance?

32 Doni - Brazil
- Former Brazilian national team GK and starting GK for Roma joined in the summer. Definitely a higher-profiled GK than any of Liverpool back-up GK in the recent years. Should provide a more reliable back-up for Reina. My concern is will LFC sign him to start more than we anticipated due to recovery concern of Reina for his hernia operation in the summer?

RB

2 Glen Johnson - England
- Efficient in attack but unreliable in defense, Johnson had been one of the weak links in LFC defense until King Kenny returned and inspired him. Since the return of the King, Johnson had started as left-back and improved his defensive performance. Should move back to right back role if LFC can successfully acquire a new left back. With the emergence of young Kelly and Flanagan, I wonder if Johnson should finally be pushed forward as right wing to display his talent in attack.

34 Martin Kelly - England
- A natural CB who can also play anywhere across the defensive line. His strong performance in the right back has even pushed England regular Johnson to the left-back role. Unfortunately, he has been troubled by injury in his young career so far. The most defensive solid RB among the 3 right back choices, but should eventually returned to his natural CB role as many has tipped him to be new Jamie Carragher.

38 John Flanagan - England
- Made a couple of surprising starts for the first team near the end of last season due to the team's injury problem. The 18 year-old has surprised many for his mature and calm performance for playing without fear. Selected as LFC best player in reserve team last season and could make the right back role his own in the near future.

LB

3 Jose Enrique - Spain

6 Fabio Aurelio - Brazil

- The most injury prone player in the team. The Brazilian LB can hardly stay fit for more than 1/3 of a season. When he is fit, he is an intelligent LB with good passing/free-kick skills and positioning. He can only be a back-up due to his fragility and is basically on pay-as-he-play contract.

49 Jack Robinson - England
- Made his senior debut two seasons ago when he was 16! Received a few first team chance during the close of last season due to injury problem in LB and did not disappoint. LB of the future but was still too young and raw to be a starter. Definitely can be a reliable back-up LB.

CB

23 Jamie Carragher - England

5 Daniel Agger - Denmark

37 Martin Skrtel - Slovakia

16 Sebastian Coates - Uruguay

22 Danny Wilson - Scotland

DMF

21 Lucas Levia - Brazil

20 Jay Spearing - England

CMF

26 Charlie Adam - Scotland

33 Jonjo Shelvey - England

AMF

8 Steven Gerrard - England

14 Jordan Henderson - England

LW/LFW

19 Stewart Downing - England

11 Maxi Rodriquez - Argentina

RW/RFW

7 Luiz Suarez - Uruguay

39 Craig Bellamy - Wales

CF

9 Andy Carroll - England

18 Dirk Kuyt - Holland

2011/2012 Season Liverpool New Arrival: No.19 Stewart Downing

Position: LW/RW

Age: 26

Previous Club: Aston Villa

2010/2011 stats: 38 games 7 goals 7 assists

International Caps: England- 27 caps

Transfer fee: 20M

Liverpool has been lacking of a single natural winger in the team. Kuyt, Maxi, Joe Cole and even Meireles were used in the winger position since the come-back of King Kenny, but none of them are natural winger. One of the most important focuses in this year summer transfer for Liverpool is to look for a natural winger with speed and crossing ability who can supply crosses for Andy Carroll. While initial target Aston Villa winger Ashley Young chose to join Manchester United, King Kenny has quickly identified Stewart Downing as his no.1 winger target. Downing's 20M transfer fee was considered to be over-valued but Liverpool was in desperate need for a proven and established winger in the league who can provide pin-point crosses into the penalty box to maximize the ability of Carroll to justify his 35M transfer fee in January. In fact, many football insiders could see Downing as the perfect complement for Carroll, a traditional British big central forward who needs crossing from the flank to fully display his scoring/heading ability.

Some fans believe an internationl class winger like Spanish Mata should prove to be better money-for-value than Downing. However, not only foreign wingers may need time to adapt to the physical English league, but also most foreign wingers prefer to use their speed and dribble skills in the wing than making crosses into the box. I am not saying Liverpool should never sign a skillful international winger who can take on defenders on the wing, but I do believe Liverpool needs a winger who can cross as much as a winger who can dribble. In the ideal world, I really hope Liverpool can also sign someone like Mata on the opposite wing of Downing.

Downing has been one of the league's top youngsters since his early career with Middlesbrough. He was selected by England national team 27 times as of today. He has helped Middlesbrough to earn runners-up in UEFA Cup. He may not be very skillful or full-of-tricks, but he is quick and intelligent. He is a great team player who helps out in defending. He has also improved his right foot to the point which earned him more assists with his right foot than his left last season! He has been very impressive for Aston Villa last season and was chosen as the Club's Player of the Season. Last season, Downing has put in 137 crosses into the box which was the highest amounts provided by any single player in the league! Many fans doubted him because Downing is not fancy and eye-catching; however, many managers love Downing for the similar reason-Unspectacular but Efficient.

His ability to play as both wings will be a great assets for Liverpool. Chances are Downing will likely be featured in any formation: 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-3. Along with Adam, Downing can be the X-factor for Liverpool this coming season.

Has Liverpool over-paid for him at 20M? Probably! However, I would rather Liverpool over-spend in getting the right player than getting some disappointing players at a bargain!

2011/2012 Season Liverpool New Arrival: No.26 Charlie Adam

Position: CMF

Age: 25

Previous Club: Blackpool FC

2010/2011 stats: 34 games 12 goals 8 assists

International Cap: Scotland- 11 Caps

Transfer fee: 9M

Although Blackpool FC only spend one season in the premiership before they quickly relegated to the Champship Division, many fans had been impressed with Blackpool's entertaining exciting attacking football. Their captain Charlie Adam has been particularly impressive for his leadership in the heart of the midfield as Adam has been sensationally nominated as top 6 candidates for the 2010/2011 Premiership Player of the Season by PFA!

Before 2010/2011 season, Adam was a unheard Scottish midfield who has spend majority of his young career with Scottish premiership giant Rangers and Blackpool FC in the England Championship Division. However, 2010/2011 premiership season has provided a perfect platform for Adam to display his quality as the midfield general in the top level. Adam has great long-range pass, dangerous free-kicks, accurate corner-kicks/penalty kicks and powerful long-range shot.

In fact, Adam can be a perfect replacement for Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso, whose departure 2 seasons ago was never a coincidence for the start of the club's downfall. Without Xabi to direct traffic in the central midfield, Gerrard was forced to drop deep and reduced his chance to play in the advanced AMF role which has gradually proved to be his most ideal position. Now, with the arrival of Adam, Gerrard can be featured in AMF position again.

To me, Adam can be the difference maker for Liverpool FC in the new season. His playmaking ability and set-piece skills can open up an extra dimension in attack. However, due to Adam's lack of speed, he can be vulnerable in defending if he has to be used as a DMF. Like Alonso, Adam probably needs a more defensive minded midfield like Lucas to play alongside with. 4-2-3-1 five midfield formation could be most suitable to fit both Adam and Gerrard in the same starting 11, which could ironically restrict King Kenny from starting 2 strikers in his starting 11.

2011/2012 Season Liverpool New Arrival: No.14 Jordan Henderson

Position: CMF/RMF
Age: 21
Previous Club: Sunderland FC
2010/2011 stats: 37 games 3 goals 4 assists
International Cap: England- 1 Cap
Transfer fee: 20M

Liverpool's 1st summer signing is the shocking 20M acquisition of young England talented midfield Jordan Henderson, who has been relatively unproven in the top level. What has made Liverpool willing to spend 20M on a young unproven player? Jordan Henderson has made premiership debut in 2009/2010 season and took little time to impress Sunderland to make him starting midfield in the 2010/2011 season in which he has produced impressive performance that earned him an international cap for England senior level. Henderson is high-energy, box-to-box midfield in the mood of Gerrard and Lampard. Henderson doesn't have a particular strength in his game, but is rather seen as a complete midfield who can contribute in different areas for the team. He still needs to improve many areas in his game, such as finishing skills. However, his all-actioned diligent game and intelligent positional sense allow him to advance to dangerous areas. In fact, in 2010/2011 season, Henderson was 5th in the premiership in scoring chance creation!

Although Henderson can also play as a right wing, his best position is central midfield as shown in his impressive displays for different junior levels for England national team. However, since Liverpool currently possess many talents in the central midfield, Henderson may be given more playing chance in the right midfield position. Many people believe Liverpool see Henderson as the heir of captain Gerrard as many see Henderson has potential to be new Gerrard in the future. For now, Henderson will be the under-study for Gerrard. 20M high transfer fee definitely is paid for the future, but Henderson should be ready to contribute whenever he got his chance.

No.7 Luiz Suarez- "I just can't seem to get enough" - Tribute to the new Liverpool Legend!!!

"His name is Luis Suarez, he wears the famous Red
I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough

You'll Never Walk Alone is the first thing he said
I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough

He scores a goal, and the Kop go wild
and I just can't seem to get enough, Suarez

du du du du du. du du du du du du du.....

lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu ... LUIZ SUAREZ!!!"

Above is the lyrics of the offical Luiz Suarez Song- "I just can't seem to get enough". Luiz Suarez took little time to not only settle in English premiership, but also become the focal point and dangerous man of the rejuvenated Liverpool, which has rise from 19th in October to 6th place finish in a bitter-sweet season. The change of ownership, the incredible man-management skills of King Kenny and magical tactician introduced by Steve Clarke have helped to boost the team spirit and maximize the potential of the whole Liverpool squad in little more than three months. Yet, the revolution can never succeed without the star performance of Luiz Suarez in almost every single game he has played so far. Luiz Suarez can have a quiet half at times, but he has always produced at least one magical moment to give a winning chance for Liverpool even when they are struggling. Of course, when the team was on song, Liverpool has been quite unstoppable lately.

With the old idol Torres gone, Gerrard and Carroll both injured, Liverpool was left with no top class player who could fear the opponents. Since King Kenny has made Liverpool to play as a real team and collective unit again without having to rely on one-man-show from Gerrard, the whole squad from young full-backs like Martin Kelly and John Flanagan, under-sized midfield Lucas and Spearing and struggling wingers Maxi and Kuyt have all produced incredible performance and basically have all their critics and doubters ashamed of and regret for their harsh judgement on them! In particular, Kuyt, Maxi and Meireles have all had their incredible scoring runs in the recent months. Yet, they could have never produced such brilliant performance without the presence of Luiz Suarez.

Luiz Suarez possess great dribbling ability and can take on defenders at ease. At 5'11, Suarez may not be considered to be short among most great dribblers; yet, he has low central of gravity which allow him keep his balance even against physical knock. He has a multiple ways of tricks in going past defenders that make defenders find it hard to dictate his next moves. Suarez's most threatening dribbling move is dribble to the baseline/by-line of opponents' defensive half even with amazingly narrow space. His great control allows him to control the ball at ease under narrowest of space. Opponents always fear of stopping him in those dangerous zone. Basically, if defenders are too eager or aggressive in their tackle, they could risk concede a penalty kick to Liverpool!!!

Suarez has not been finishing off easy chances consistently just yet. However, he has shown his ability to score sensational goals. He is equally brilliant in his own shot attempts or provide vital assists to teammates. His presence attracts so much attention from opponents and create space for Kuyt and Maxi getting into scoring position. The difference between Suarez and Torres is that while Torres is a more clinical goal scorer, Suarez is a more complete attacker who can create chances for teammates, dribble past defenders, took free-kicks while also score fair amount of goals. Suarez is less selfish and is more versatile with his ability to play as a support striker, central striker and wingers. What has been most impressive in Suarez's game is his never-say-die attitude. Not only has he been diligent in attacking, but also has been aggressive in tracking back to initial defense up-front.

Is he the New Tevez? the new King Kenny? It really doesn't matter. What matters is with Suarez acting as the corenerstone for the new Liverpool FC, the hope of winning trophy could finally be materialized soon!

May 9, 2011 - Fulham vs Liverpool: 2:5 - Liverpool on incredible roll as amazing Maxi hits 2nd hat-trick in his last 3 games!

LFC Player of the Game: Luiz Suarez & Maxi Rodriguez

Game Summary:




Starting line-up: (4-3-3)

Reina
G.Johnson Carragher Skrtel Flanagan
Meireles Lucas Spearing
Kuyt Suarez Maxi

Goals: Maxi '1,'7 '70, Kuyt '16, Suarez '75

May 1, 2011 - Liverpool vs Newcastle: 3:0 - LFC reached 5th spot as confidence soars skyhigh!

LFC Player of the Game: Luiz Suarez

Game Summary:




Starting line-up: (4-4-2)

Reina

Flanagan Carragher Skrtel G.Johnson

Meireles Spearing Lucas Maxi

Kuyt Suarez

Goals: Maxi '10, Kuyt '59 (PK), Suarez '65