Best of the TLW era - you decide: Left Backs

[tlw content]

The 100th and final issue of ‘The Liverpool Way’ is fast approaching and we’re looking to get your input on a series of articles featuring ‘the best of’ the TLW era, which spans from August 1999 when the first issue was printed, to now as we prepare to declare once reaching a century.

 

Over the coming weeks we’ll ask for your votes on various subjects, such as best goal, best game (may have to include a ‘that didn’t take place in Istanbul’ disclaimer on that one), best signing, worst signing and all the usual stuff.

 

Firstly though we’re picking the best team of the last 16 years. We’ve had the goalkeepers, right backs and now it’s the turn of the left backs. Traditionally it’s been the weakest area of the side going back years and such has been the dearth of genuine left backs we’ve also included a couple of righties who occasionally filled in there in this poll.

 

So we have John Arne Riise and Fabio Aurelio joined by Alvaro Arbeloa and Steve Finnan. Cast your vote now.

 

 

 

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[Dr Nowt]

The best at their best; probably Aurelio. He just didn't ever manage to sustain any fitness other than for that one season though as we know, and I can't see beyond Ginge as the best of the overall period; his achievements, importance and consistency were far greater.

 

He was an integral part of several trophy wins and near misses, even though he just missed out on the treble season, and was well loved by the likes of Stevie and Carra as a trusted teammate along with the likes of Sami and Didi.

 

Whenever I think of us in that era, Riise always features as a big part of what we did, for all his flaws, that fucking own goal and for all it's impossible to deny he's something of a best of a bad bunch pick.

[dave u]

Riise for me too.

 

Although Arbeloa delivered the best left back performance in years in the Nou Camp.

[RobbieOR]

Riise for pure consistency. Shame he went to shite and didn't score in his last season. 

[Trumo]

Riise, although if Aurelio wasn't made of biscuits it would be him as he was the better footballer and tactically more adept. Both scored cracking free kicks against the Mancs.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

That's a bit of a shocker, two of our four best left-backs are right-backs.

 

(I'd also risk incurring the wrath of the FF by pointing out that Glen Johnson has been known to do a reasonable turn at LB.)

 

No mention of Vignal or Insua?

 

I'd have to echo Trumo - Riise edges it.

[Dicko]

Aurelio is easily the best.

It's only the fact that he was made of china that there's any debate.

 

Oh and Riise can fuck off.

The none right footed blert.

[dennis tooth]

Arbeloa

[Juan Galonso]

Not even a contest Riise 7 years service part of a solid back 4 under different managers and a goal threat. Also versatile in that he played left midfield sometimes.

[Grinch]

Loved Fabio as a player when he was fit, sadly was few and far between for him.

 

Riise started brightly and went to shit. Makes it a tough choice tbh

[Byrnie]

Riise. He went downhill pretty quickly, though.

[lebron]

If Babbel can win the RB spot then Aurelio is LB.. Two very class players whose service to us should have been much longer..

[Sugar Ape]

Riise.

[Hand Shandy]

Riise, but an honourable mention for Jamie.

[RonDixon]

Aurelio by an absolute mile, if he could have played 5 games on the bounce. He couldn't, so he's probably the best by half a mile

[Pureblood]

RoboRiise

[Red House]

Went for Aurelio just, for the consistency, well when he wasn't off injured. Riise was good pre-Rafa, but it became painful towards the ends seeing him try to stay in line with the other defenders when Rafa implemented his offside trap. Arbeloa and Finnan, ven though better overall players, played far too few games at left-back to deserve the accolade.

[BCM]

Aurelio was a brilliant left back, loved him. Just never got to see him enough.

So even though he might be the most one footed player ive ever seen it may have to be Riise

[matt1983]

I prefer Aurelio as a player but Riise played almost three times as many games. Played and scored on some big ones too- despite the underwhelming end it's Riise for me

[xerxes]

Aurelio, when fit...

[KMD7]

Riise

[Kant]

Riise.

Was a proper cult hero for me, loved the guy.

[magicrat]

Aurelio, when fit...

Me too, Absolute class on occasions and scored some great goals.  I kinda knew when he got broken playing in the garden with his kids its was never really go to end well but still loved the guy, Not a Rob Jones "what might have been player" because he was knocking on and had issues when we signed him but on sheer ability I gave him the nod over Riise

[Paul]

Does Rob Jones qualify for this time period? If so, him. If not, JAR.

[VERBAL DIARRHEA]

Aurelio