Jose Enrique : The only weakness of our defence .

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,13:29

The 2nd half season performance of jose enrique really wants to make me puke .

In attacking sense , He is on the same level with downing . His cross are either over powered or not accurate enough ,

But as a LB , his main duty is to defend .

In defending sense , he is average .

He sometimes defend steadily but ocassionally lets opponent put in a cross and they scores .

I think if we have some money left over , we should buy Taye Taiwo for 4-5m to give him some challenge and competition .

If we have to replace him / give competition i would suggest :

Baines : 20m
Aly Cissokho : 9m
Van Der wiel : 7m
Kolarov : 10m
Michael Bastos : 7m
Eric Abidal : 1m
Taiwo : 5m

**changeaname** · 13-6-12,13:31

he faded away, but there are a million other problems before we worry about him

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,13:34

Originally Posted by changeaname

he faded away, but there are a million other problems before we worry about him

it isnt so simpley faded away . He only performed well for half a season then he declined.

Everyone puts the blame on downing because caroll dont perform well , if u put ashley cole at our LB spot i guess caroll will have an extra 4 goals .

**Seamus78** · 13-6-12,13:35

Bit harsh.

With decent support on the left, he will be fine. He didnt have that at all last season.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,13:37

Originally Posted by Seamus78

Bit harsh.

With decent support on the left, he will be fine. He didnt have that at all last season.

One dosent simply fade away after performing well for 6 months.

magicman***** · 13-6-12,13:39

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

The 2nd half season performance of jose enrique really wants to make me puke .

In attacking sense , He is on the same level with downing . His cross are either over powered or not accurate enough ,

But as a LB , his main duty is to defend .

In defending sense , he is average .

He sometimes defend steadily but ocassionally lets opponent put in a cross and they scores .

I think if we have some money left over , we should buy Taye Taiwo for 4-5m to give him some challenge and competition .

If we have to replace him / give competition i would suggest :

Baines : 20m
Aly Cissokho : 12m
Van Der wiel : 7m
Kolarov : 10m
Michael Bastos : 7m
Eric Abidal : 1m
Taiwo : 5m

Cissokho would be £9m at most, put the real figures down not the FM's ones...

**Seamus78** · 13-6-12,13:40

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

One dosent simply fade away after performing well for 6 months.

Exactly. That is why I though that your original statement was harsh.

As you say, he had a good 6 months. That is alot more than most of the regulars last season.

**Simo429** · 13-6-12,13:40

It was no coincidence that his form was poor after Lucas got injured.

He was also tired, we need competition for him not a replacement.

**jpm888** · 13-6-12,13:50

I do think his performance dropped drastically in the second half of the season but like already mentioned, we have more problematic positions to worry about first. However, if we sort them out and have funds left, a new left back would be good but i think that this year he will get more games off. Robinson is looking to be a very decent player, yes he was injured for a long period last season which left Enrique as the only fit LB for about 4 months. Next year i expect to see Robbo playing some Cup and Europa League games to rest Enrique.

Long term though, im not sure yet if Robbo will be able to cement himself as first choice LB and for me, its not Enrique. Defensively at times he looks great, yet at times he looks very poor. Quite similar to Johnson in that respect. Defensive ability is what defenders are normally based on first and foremost, but the modern game is adapting and its becoming more apparent that they are required to help attack to, which wasnt so much the case years ago, which is why some of the better teams were allowed to 'carry' some players, usually fullbacks.

Going forwards though, Enrique is pretty poor. Over the second half of the year, i lost count in one game the amount of times he came over the halfway line with the opportunity to attack the opposing fullback but stopped and slowed down play to pass a 5 yard ball inside. You look at the better fullbacks, Cole (cant stand him) he regularly gets forward and runs at fullbacks, Johnson on the right for us, is good at going forwards too.

I guess my point is, he doesnt bring enough going forward and he isnt great at the back to compensate for that. So, for me, he wont be the long term answer at LB. We shall have to see how Robbo progresses but who knows, another LB may have to come in until Enrique leaves.

Its really not a problem position though.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,13:55

Originally Posted by magicman*****

Cissokho would be £9m at most, put the real figures down not the FM's ones...

Okay .

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,13:57

Originally Posted by Seamus78

Exactly. That is why I though that your original statement was harsh.

As you say, he had a good 6 months. That is alot more than most of the regulars last season.

You need to perform consistently to be a good footballer.

You dont score 15 goals in 6 months and score 1 goal in the other 6 months .

Him + 5m for Leighton baines would make everton consider .

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,13:58

Originally Posted by Simo429

It was no coincidence that his form was poor after Lucas got injured.

He was also tired, we need competition for him not a replacement.

Van Der Wiel would be good , if he still dont perform as good we could use them two as a swap deal for a world class LB like baines .

magicman***** · 13-6-12,13:58

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

Okay .

**Canners** · 13-6-12,14:02

we havnt had a good LB since riise. in 5 years we have found no one. enrique is ok but LFC needs world class players.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,14:04

Originally Posted by jpm888

I do think his performance dropped drastically in the second half of the season but like already mentioned, we have more problematic positions to worry about first. However, if we sort them out and have funds left, a new left back would be good but i think that this year he will get more games off. Robinson is looking to be a very decent player, yes he was injured for a long period last season which left Enrique as the only fit LB for about 4 months. Next year i expect to see Robbo playing some Cup and Europa League games to rest Enrique.

Long term though, im not sure yet if Robbo will be able to cement himself as first choice LB and for me, its not Enrique. Defensively at times he looks great, yet at times he looks very poor. Quite similar to Johnson in that respect. Defensive ability is what defenders are normally based on first and foremost, but the modern game is adapting and its becoming more apparent that they are required to help attack to, which wasnt so much the case years ago, which is why some of the better teams were allowed to 'carry' some players, usually fullbacks.

Going forwards though, Enrique is pretty poor. Over the second half of the year, i lost count in one game the amount of times he came over the halfway line with the opportunity to attack the opposing fullback but stopped and slowed down play to pass a 5 yard ball inside. You look at the better fullbacks, Cole (cant stand him) he regularly gets forward and runs at fullbacks, Johnson on the right for us, is good at going forwards too.

I guess my point is, he doesnt bring enough going forward and he isnt great at the back to compensate for that. So, for me, he wont be the long term answer at LB. We shall have to see how Robbo progresses but who knows, another LB may have to come in until Enrique leaves.

Its really not a problem position though.

Yes , LB is not a piority but i think if there was an order , it should be

1. Wingers
2. Strikers
3. Center Midfield
4. Left Back
5. CAM
7. Goalkeeper
8. Center Back
9. Right back

Robinson SHOULD NOT BE PLAYER , we dont want to make him into another Insua.

IMO , Enrique isnt that good at defending in the 2nd half of the season though , hopehe can improve .

Glen johnson is simply world class , His defending is good and attacking is good , what a modern world class full back should be .
Just watch him VS france .
Woudnt swap him for anyone , not even alves .
Only RB comparable to him is Lahm.

**Simo429** · 13-6-12,14:07

Firstly Baines isn't world class, secondly 5 mil + Enrique would make Everton consider? Kenwright couldn't walk the streets of Liverpool if he even entertained that.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,14:11

Originally Posted by Canners

we havnt had a good LB since riise. in 5 years we have found no one. enrique is ok but LFC needs world class players.

I think we should really consider a 65m swap for baines , fellaini , hetinga and rodwell .

Sell enrique , adam , hendo , for 25m .

I know its ridiculous but it would do a hell good to our team .

Reina
Baines - Agger - Skrtel - Johnson
Fellaini - Lucas
Bellamy Gerrard
Suarez - Caroll

immediately we get the one of the top 5 defence in the entire europe and a great squad just lacking of a couple of strikers and wingers.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,14:15

Originally Posted by Simo429

Firstly Baines isn't world class, secondly 5 mil + Enrique would make Everton consider? Kenwright couldn't walk the streets of Liverpool if he even entertained that.

Firstly baines is world class . If he isnt then who is ? Dont tell me ashley cole , lahm or the rat evra . They are in the top 3 . Baines is one of the top 5 - 7 LB in europe which makes him world class

Secondly because enrique is a ready made replacement so they woudnt need to find a new replacement.

Enrique is worth around 12m so 12m + 5m = 17m .

**Simo429** · 13-6-12,14:28

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

Firstly baines is world class . If he isnt then who is ? Dont tell me ashley cole , lahm or the rat evra . They are in the top 3 . Baines is one of the top 5 - 7 LB in europe which makes him world class

Secondly because enrique is a ready made replacement so they woudnt need to find a new replacement.

Enrique is worth around 12m so 12m + 5m = 17m .

Yeah because thats exactly how it works especially when Liverpool and Everton are concerned.

**Angii** · 13-6-12,14:39

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

I think we should really consider a 65m swap for baines , fellaini , hetinga and rodwell .

Sell enrique , adam , hendo , for 25m .

I know its ridiculous but it would do a hell good to our team .

Reina
Baines - Agger - Skrtel - Johnson
Fellaini - Lucas
Bellamy Gerrard
Suarez - Caroll

immediately we get the one of the top 5 defence in the entire europe and a great squad just lacking of a couple of strikers and wingers.

oh dear you do not know much do you and that would never happen and would be a waste of money and sieriously enrique is fine and i back him to be class next season and this is a pointless thread.

**aFridge** · 13-6-12,14:56

He was brilliant in the first half of the season. So good in fact, that he was almost certain to win player of the season. Yes, he performed poorly in the second half of the season, but who didn't? After the ridiculously high standards he set, it's only natural that a drop in form would be a lot more noticeable, especially considering he was one of our few players who was actually performing.

Fatigue and a lack of cover (after Lucas' injury) are to blame for his drop in form. It's something which I believe can be sorted out quite easily. Does he need competition? Probably. Though to be honest I'm more willing to take a gamble on Robinson and have him as our backup next season, even if it might seem a bit early. Leaves us with more money to spend in other positions that need strengthening.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,15:09

Originally Posted by aFridge

He was brilliant in the first half of the season. So good in fact, that he was almost certain to win player of the season. Yes, he performed poorly in the second half of the season, but who didn't? After the ridiculously high standards he set, it's only natural that a drop in form would be a lot more noticeable, especially considering he was one of our few players who was actually performing.

Fatigue and a lack of cover (after Lucas' injury) are to blame for his drop in form. It's something which I believe can be sorted out quite easily. Does he need competition? Probably. Though to be honest I'm more willing to take a gamble on Robinson and have him as our backup next season, even if it might seem a bit early. Leaves us with more money to spend in other positions that need strengthening.

What if he plays the entire season next season like how he did in the second half of the season last year?

**aFridge** · 13-6-12,15:24

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

What if he plays the entire season next season like how he did in the second half of the season last year?

What if Reina plays the entirety of next season like last season? What if Gerrard is as injury prone next season? What if Carroll scores less than 10 next season? What if Lucas gets another serious injury? What if Suarez hits the post a dozen times? What if Henderson remains anonymous and inconsistent? I could go on. Do you want the whole team replaced?

See my point? Nearly everyone had a poor season or one ravaged by injury. The difference with Enrique is we know he has the quality to be a genuine contender for player of the season. The rest of the team better damn well improve or we are screwed. And I know they will improve, and I fully expect Enrique to be one of them.

We conceded few goals even when Enrique played badly in the second half of last season, which just goes to show the strength in our back line.

**gregorio421** · 13-6-12,15:37

Enrique is class and a solid player, but yes he needs someone to compete with for the start and to rest. He played so many games last season and of course with the entire team performance dipping and exhaustion, its just a matter of time. In the beginning of the season his attacking play was much better and sparked some nice movement, and he's generally solid defensively.

My dream signing for LB would be Alvaro Pereira but he has a £18M buyout clause with Porto. But having him and Enrique back there, and also Pereira able to come up and play LM as well as put nasty crosses in (he's been really in form these past months, especially with uruguay). Then we just need Ramirez and we have a good portion of the UY national team haha but seriously Suarez+Coates+Pereira+Ramirez together at Liverpool would be incredible I think, these guys have lots of chemistry together and are solid, hard-working players.

**aFridge** · 13-6-12,15:52

Originally Posted by gregorio421

Enrique is class and a solid player, but yes he needs someone to compete with for the start and to rest. He played so many games last season and of course with the entire team performance dipping and exhaustion, its just a matter of time. In the beginning of the season his attacking play was much better and sparked some nice movement, and he's generally solid defensively.

My dream signing for LB would be Alvaro Pereira but he has a £18M buyout clause with Porto. But having him and Enrique back there, and also Pereira able to come up and play LM as well as put nasty crosses in (he's been really in form these past months, especially with uruguay). Then we just need Ramirez and we have a good portion of the UY national team haha but seriously Suarez+Coates+Pereira+Ramirez together at Liverpool would be incredible I think, these guys have lots of chemistry together and are solid, hard-working players.

Why not have Robinson has backup? He'll be 19 in September, it's about time he gets more than 2 games a season. He'd benefit from playing in the cup games, Europa League games and even in premier league games against smaller opposition. Having a 3rd lb will only restrict his appearances.

Let's be honest here, the first choice fullbacks in most top teams don't have backups of the sort of quality people are naming in this thread. They're either just 'backups', or young players with potential (e.g. Rafael, Fabio, Bertrand, Montoya, Jenkinson, Kelly).

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,15:53

Originally Posted by aFridge

What if Reina plays the entirety of next season like last season? What if Gerrard is as injury prone next season? What if Carroll scores less than 10 next season? What if Lucas gets another serious injury? What if Suarez hits the post a dozen times? What if Henderson remains anonymous and inconsistent? I could go on. Do you want the whole team replaced?

See my point? Nearly everyone had a poor season or one ravaged by injury. The difference with Enrique is we know he has the quality to be a genuine contender for player of the season. The rest of the team better damn well improve or we are screwed. And I know they will improve, and I fully expect Enrique to be one of them.

We conceded few goals even when Enrique played badly in the second half of last season, which just goes to show the strength in our back line.

Now , i know Enrique performed VERY well in the 1st half of the season , but those performance he gave during the 2nd half simply disgusts me .

The sheer brilliance of agger + johnson + skrtel held our defence tight , if reina and enrique had just played better , we would have the best defence in the entire europe last season .

Out of the players you say 3 of them is a fan favourite and we know they are GOOD , where as enrique is a new comer and he might just fall off after 6 months and play like konchesky .

Our entire season collapsed the moment lucas was injured . Without lucas , how team is merely a average top 10 team with very little chance of breaking into the top 5 . The entire team can play not well but as long as Lucas and Gerrard plays well our season will not fall .

Our strength in the backline comes from agger . He is the best center back in europe , and has leader ship qualities .

When 3 out of 6 of the defending member : Reina , lucas , enrique , agger , skrtel , johnson is either out of form or injured , and you can play like one of the best defences , it just comes down to one word . Agger .

If agger goes down , we will be fighting for relegation . If enrique goes down , we still can survive . simpl.

**Red-in-Manchland** · 13-6-12,15:54

Enrique has been poor and you can see why Spain have ignored him. For me he is a backup at best. If we can't get a decent left back I think its time to move Johnson at left back and give Kelly the right back slot.

**aFridge** · 13-6-12,15:58

Originally Posted by YannMvilla

Now , i know Enrique performed VERY well in the 1st half of the season , but those performance he gave during the 2nd half simply disgusts me .

The sheer brilliance of agger + johnson + skrtel held our defence tight , if reina and enrique had just played better , we would have the best defence in the entire europe last season .

Out of the players you say 3 of them is a fan favourite and we know they are GOOD , where as enrique is a new comer and he might just fall off after 6 months and play like konchesky .

Our entire season collapsed the moment lucas was injured . Without lucas , how team is merely a average top 10 team with very little chance of breaking into the top 5 . The entire team can play not well but as long as Lucas and Gerrard plays well our season will not fall .

Our strength in the backline comes from agger . He is the best center back in europe , and has leader ship qualities .

When 3 out of 6 of the defending member : Reina , lucas , enrique , agger , skrtel , johnson is either out of form or injured , and you can play like one of the best defences , it just comes down to one word . Agger .

If agger goes down , we will be fighting for relegation . If enrique goes down , we still can survive . simpl.

We did just fine whenever Agger was injured, and he's injured quite often. And to call him the best in Europe is a gross exaggeration, and this is coming from someone who's favorite CB is Agger. You're also quite harsh over Enrique, that lad has already proven he has quality, all he needs to do is return to that form. He's no Konchesky, who is and always has been poor.

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,15:59

Originally Posted by Red-in-Manchland

Enrique has been poor and you can see why Spain have ignored him. For me he is a backup at best. If we can't get a decent left back I think its time to move Johnson at left back and give Kelly the right back slot.

Right back will become very thin then ..

Move agger to LB and play kelly / coates at CB .

**YannMvilla** · 13-6-12,16:03

Originally Posted by aFridge

We did just fine whenever Agger was injured, and he's injured quite often. And to call him the best in Europe is a gross exaggeration, and this is coming from someone who's favorite CB is Agger. You're also quite harsh over Enrique, that lad has already proven he has quality, all he needs to do is return to that form. He's no Konchesky, who is and always has been poor.

I am only talking about last season particularly .

If agger goes down , We would have agger gerrard lucas out and Suarez and caroll not really performing . Agger is the soul of the defence . without him , skrtel wont play really well and we would be in trouble with only johnson playing well .

I meant ball playing * center back sorry .

Well , thats up to you if you want to belive in him but i think it is a risk if we dont buy another LB and he performs like the last second half of season .

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