Just seen some old videos of Carra and Riise in their prime. How I would love to have them in the squad today. Also got me thinking of my lifetime best Liverpool XI. Mine would be something like this:
XI: Dudek, Riise, Carra, Hyypia, Flanagan, Macherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Suarez, Owen, Torres
Subs: Reina, Arbeloa, Luis Garcia, Coutinho, Agger, Murphy, Sturridge
Not Reina in nets mate? Loved the big Pole, but I'd think I'd have to go with him. There was a spell there it was hard to split him and Cech as the best keeper in the league. Some fantastic players there.
I did this a whiles back (not sue if it was on here or not), and obviously I have a greater scope as I got back further being an auld **** haha, but I'd probably go something like:
4-4-2.
1. Bruce Grobbelaar. I just missed Clemence. He was in goal my first ever game in the League Cup 2nd round against then 4th division Bradford back in 1980. But he was gone the end of the season so Brucie is really who I grew up with. And Reina wasn't here long enough to get ahead of Brucie.
2. Phil Neal. 'Zico.' The man totally redefined modern full back play into the attacking FB's of today's game. He was doing that back then. And a penalty taker supreme. One of the greatest RB's there's ever been.
3. Rob Jones. Taking a bit of a liberty here at LB as he was ostensibly a RB. But when Evo signed McAteer and went to wing backs, moving Robbie out the left, he was just as effective there. Best debut EVER! From 4th Division Crewe Alexandra on the Friday, at 18, to signing for Liverpool and being thrown straight in on the Sunday, on Live TV, at Old Trafford and completely taking Giggs out the game in a MOTM performance. He was an England International a month or so later. SO unlucky with injuries. He would of been an all time great. Brilliant defender and glided effortlessly up field. I have the utmost respect for Neville, who was as solid as they come at FB. But he wouldn't of had half the caps he got if Robbie hadn't been blighted by injury.
4. Sammi Hyypia. YAY! A cross over! Don't need to add as you have him in your team.
5. Steve McManaman. Wizard of the dribble. He'd of been even more awesome than he was (he and Fowler almost single handedly carried us for a spell the '90's) with the others around him. And absolutely idolised in Madrid. No more needs saying.
6. Allan Hansen. Coolness and class personified. Never the fastest. (Though FAR from slow.). But virtually NEVER caught out of position. He made it look so effortless back there. And he had the ability of a graceful midfielder when he strode forward and glided up the other end of the pitch. Would be my captain too if it wasn't for another Scott. Him and Hyypia would of been a purists wet dream together back there.
7. Kenny Dalglish. Our greatest ever player. Which is saying something given all the greats we've had. And more importantly, just about the most important person there's ever been to many in my City. The way he and Marina threw their door open to a City on it's knees after Sheffield, and the self sacrifice he made for everyone that eventually wore him down to having to give up the job for his own mental well being ..... I can't speak highly enough of Kenny Dalglish the man. Let alone footballer.
8. Steven Gerrard. YAY! 2 cross overs! ^5. Don't need to say anything on him.
9. Ian Rush. SO struggling to leave Luis out (and Fowler for that matter), but how do you leave out our greatest ever goalscorer who had a telepathic understanding with Kenny? And he was our best defender. Just like Luis years later.
10. John Barnes. Need to keep this one short or I'd gush for pages. Most naturally gifted footballer I've ever seen live. Just used to glide around the park. Made even more impressive as he was a big man. For those first two or three seasons he was the best player in Europe. Travesty the ban robbed him and us of doubtless more European Cups. It was 'give it Digger. He'll either beat 5 men and score. Or he'll beat 5 men and put on a plate for Aldo.' Still get shivers remembering how good he was down the left. And when his legs went he was equally effective inside dictating games.
11. Graeme Souness. (C.). Best captain we ever had. Hardest man I ever saw live. Complete, all round midfielder. Leader supreme. A central midfield of Gerrard and Souness ..... ? Talk about 'none shall ******* pass!' Man alive.
The bench would be Reina/ Mark Lawrenson for his versatility to play FB or CB/ Carragher/ Ronnie Whelan. SO underrated. You never realised just HOW vital he was to the great sides until he wasn't there. Versatility to play anywhere across the midfield/ Jan Molby, who still has one of the best foreign player career's theres been in England. And is still one of the hardest strikers of a football and best passers of a ball we've ever had/ Suarez/ Fowler. Who I think is just about the most natural finisher I've seen. Phenomenal record before injuries hit in. Never forgive Houllier for selling him. Eternally thankfull to Rafa for bringing him home.
Manager: Bob Paisley. Up there with Ferguson on their own private plateau as the greatest ever. But ask me in 10 years time or so and I could well be going German .....
You know when you sit down and have a fun time doing that, it just brings home how exceptionally fortunate we've been to of seen some absolutely top draw footballers over the years when you consider how many could of been included that haven't been.
Enjoyed that.
