Featured: Bunch of 5s: Legends to improve the current squad

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This isn't simply a case of picking our five best ever players and putting them in the current side. I mean, there seems little point in replacing Suarez and Sturridge with Dalglish and Rush when the 'SAS' are the best players in the team and there are weaker areas in need of bolstering *cough* DEFENCE! *cough*. So the selection policy for this was based around which five players would improve this current team the most.

 

Given that the attack are scoring at a club record rate, that area only needed some slight fine tuning. The defence and midfield on the other hand can quite easily be improved upon, In fact, I could quite justifiably pick a keeper and an entirely new back four, but where's the fun in that? So without further a do, here's my five former Reds that would most improve Brendan Rodgers' current team.

 

 

 

Pick One - John Barnes 

 

 

Sorry Raheem, you're doing great and all, but when it comes to Jamaican born LFC wingers you're going to have to take a back seat to this man. For me, John Barnes would get in any team, any place, any era, and he was comfortably the first name that sprung to mind when I thought of doing this. In fact, when I posed the question to a few mates, he made every one of their lists too.

 

The man was just phenomenal and if he was playing in the modern era where players are given so much more protection, he'd be up there with the very best of them. Digger would be perfect in this current side, he could play anywhere across that front three and he'd be unstoppable wherever he lined up. Sturridge and Suarez would both benefit greatly from the presence of Barnes, and he'd also bring with him a guarantee of 20 goals a season. If you could transport a 25 year old Barnes into the modern game, the only one who'd have a chance of stopping him being named footballer of the year is Suarez.

 

 

Pick Two - Steve Nicol 

 

 

Arguably the best full back we've had and equally as comfortable on either flank. As with Barnes, he made the list of everybody I asked too.

 

A player such as Steve Nicol would be worth his weight in gold these days. He scored goals, he made goals, he ran up and down that line all day and he was a top defender too. He could use both feet, he was good in the air, he could pass, he could cross, he could finish… Stevie Nicol did it all and Brendan Rodgers would no doubt love to have a player like him at his disposal. He's the player Glen Johnson should be but sadly isn't.

 

 

 

Pick Three - Jamie Carragher 

 

 

We have some good centre halves in the current squad, but we don't have a natural leader or talker and it shows. The difference in the backline last season when Carragher was restored to it was there for all to see, and it's been apparent this year in his absence too as the Reds have leaked far more goals than they should have.

 

The leadership and defensive qualities an 'in his prime Jamie Carragher' would provide would be invaluable to this team, and I'd partner him with Sakho as on paper that pairing looks to have everything. I've gone for Carra over a Tommy Smith or an Alan Hansen for example on the basis that 1) I saw more of him and 2) he played in the Premier League era and faced a much higher calibre of opposing striker week in week out and is therefore used to the demands of the modern game.

 

 

 

Pick Four - Graeme Souness 

 

 

I'd leave Steven Gerrard where he is, playing the 'controlling role, and I'd stick Souness in there slightly ahead of him.

 

Souey was a little before my time (I saw him play but I was too young to remember much) but it seems that everyone who grew up in that era believes he's the best midfielder we've ever had, so this is an easy choice really. There hasn't been a Liverpool team in history that wouldn't been better off with Graeme Souness in it. Him alongside Gerrard is mouth watering, even with Stevie now getting on in years. With Coutinho/Hendo playing just ahead of them, that's a great combination of silk and steel.

 

 

 

Pick Five - Emlyn Hughes 

 

 

I struggled desperately with this one. Initially it was Alan Hansen, then it was Rob Jones and I also briefly changed it to Ray Clemence, but after a chat with my dad I opted for the late, great 'Crazy Horse'. Aside from Craig Johnston and Roger Hunt, Emlyn is probably my arl fella's favourite player and Shankly thought the world of him too.

 

Hughes was a winner, he'd run all day and those who watched him all seem to idolise him. He'd either play left back or maybe he'd partner Carra in the middle. Emlyn would be worth bringing in even if it was only to wind the Blues up when we win the title this year. Liverpool are magic, Everton are tragic la la la la

 

Dave Usher

 

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[Jose Jones]

Agree with all these apart from Carra.  Hansen or Lawrenson would be better.  Either silky ball skills or great pace and reading the game.  Could be tempted with both.

[Frank Dacey]

Ray Clemence would have to be there for me. Head and shoulders above any other goalie Liverpool have had in my time.

[dave u]

I almost did put him in, but in a way I feel like it's a 'wasted' pick.  All this 'Rodgeball' is affecting me, at one point I thought about picking Kenny to play behind the front three, then reality hit me and I realised I was turning into Kevin Keegan.

 

Frank, what five would you pick?  And who would you bump from my list to get Clemence in?

[RedKnight]

Would it be cheating to pick Gerrard circa 2004 so we could have another ten years out of him?

[Sugar Ape]

Nicol for Cissokho/Enrique.

 

Babbel for Johnson

 

Hyppia for Skrtel

 

Hamann for Lucas/Gerrard

 

As RK says, and cheating slightly, Gerrard for Coutinho.

 

We'd win the league, the champions league and the world series.

[RedRazor]

Barnes on the left Sterling on the right, Suarez playing behind Surridge.

 

Souness and Gerrard holding the centre.

 

Riise (I think he would fit the current set up like a hand in a glove), Hansen, Lawrenson (the finest centre back pairing we have had in my lifetime), Johnson across the back.

 

Stick with Ming in goal cos we wouldn't really need anyone.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

From the back...

 

Reina (circa 2006-2009).  The best footballing goalkeeper I've ever seen and - back then, at least - a great shot-stopper.  Would fit into the "Rodgeball" system perfectly.

 

Riise (circa 2001-2004)  Our current system demands that the fullbacks are relentless, in attack and defence. Young JAR was fast, attack-minded and loved a shot (which would even further bewilder opposing defenders).

 

Hansen - "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs"  Confidence and grace in possession, composure and anticipation in defending.

 

Mascherano - I expect our defenders to confidently carry the ball up the field.  This requires an all-action nasty bastard to stop any untoward events occurring if the defenders get caught out.

 

Barnes - Because you just can't have too much attacking creativity.

[spider-neil]

Sami

 

Nicol

 

Babbel

 

Souness

 

Barnes

[Lee909]

Im just going to go with players I saw play, not those on tape etc.

 

Hyypia

Best CB I have seen for us.

 

Nicol,Rob Jones

A pair of great fullbacks.Close between Babbel and Jones though.

 

Mascherano

His extra pace over Didi would be helpful covering the attacking fullbacks.

 

John Barnes

One of the best three players I have seen in a red shirt.

 

 

 

On the less glamorous side of picks

Heggem

Arbeloa

Henchoz

Mark Wright

Luis Garcia

[Frank Dacey]

I'd not disagree with the first four of your picks Dave so it would be Clemence for Emlyn Hughes. In hindsight I reckon Hughes was over-rated as a midfielder, not much better than an early model Jordan Henderson. He was better as a defender, but you've already picked Carra and Nicol there.

[Red Hot]

Billy Liddell, Both Hansen and Lawrenson, Gerry Byrne.

[Razoray]

Mignolet

Nicol Hansen Sakho Hughes

Gerrard Souness

Suarez Coutinho Barnes

Sturridge

 

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