Rafa's Best 11 Signings (Current Reds)
1. FERNANDO TORRES — I guess nothing much needs to be said aboutthis Spanish striker. Many would agree that the record signing is thebest signing since Rafa took charge. 24 goals in 33 Premier Leaguegames made him the highest scoring foreigner in debut season, edgingRuud Van Nistelrooy by a goal. The former Atletico Madrid skipperscored 33 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions in his firstseason.
2. XABI ALONSO — Alonso is among Rafa's firstsignings. Hailed as the pass master, he was bought for only £10.5million from Real Sociedad. He has represented Liverpool 189 times,scoring 17 in the process with possibly more to come. His influence onthe pitch is unquestionable.
3. JAVIER MASCHERANO — Defensivemidfielder Mascherano was signed in January 2007 on a one and a halfseason loan deal before securing a permanent deal about one year later.He quickly established himself as a regular starter and he has been oneof the fans' favourites. He chases opposition down and tackles well.The trio of Gerrard, Alonso, and Mascherano is perhaps one of the bestcentre midfield partnership, if not the best.
4. PEPE REINA —The former Barcelona and Villarreal goalie came in summer 2005, andsince then he has never failed to win the Golden Glove award for themost clean sheets for three consecutive seasons. Besides that, he islabeled as one of the best penalty stoppers on the planet. His heroicshelped Liverpool to win the FA Cup in 2006 and beat Chelsea inChampions League semi-final 2007, both via shoot-out.
5. DIRKKUYT — One of the most underrated strikers in the world, the Dutchmancame fifth on the list. Kuyt came at a bargain for only £10 millionfrom Feyenoord in summer 2006. He is selfless and flexible, and nodoubt one of the most hardworking players in the world. The formerFeyenoord skipper was often criticised for not scoring much but he hasnot failed to score more than ten goals every seasons in Liverpool. Infact, he was Liverpool's top league goal-scorer in 2006/07 season, andscoring more European goals than Gerrard and Torres in the followingseason.
6. DANIEL AGGER — Ranked at a respectable six, he wasbought for a fee of £5 million from Brondby in January 2006. Injurylimited him to only four games in the season, but his impressive formin the following season pushed Hyypia to the bench. His first goalagainst West Ham was voted Liverpoolfc.tv's goal of the season. He evenscored a brilliant curler against Chelsea in Champions Leaguesemi-final 2007 to tie the aggregate score where Liverpool eventuallywon on penalties.
7. MARTIN SKRTEL — Arrived at Anfield inJanuary 2008, he was Liverpool's record signing for a defender. He hasplayed only 30 games so far, but his presence was a key to Liverpoolreaching the semi-final in the Champions League that season. Agger'sinjury made way for him to cement his spot in the starting line-up lastseason, and his injury against Manchester City in October made way forAgger's return. When the Slovakian returns to fitness, it willdefinitely be a major boost for Liverpool with Carragher, Hyypia, andAgger all doing well.
8. YOSSI BENAYOUN — The Israeli captainis one of the players most often criticised. But the playmaker scoredone more than Babel in his debut season, playing one game less.Comparing to how much Liverpool paid for his service, he edged Babeljust by a little. Not to mention his magnificent assists on severaloccasions.
9. RYAN BABEL — The Dutchman arrived at a dealworth around £13 million from Ajax in summer 2007. The flexible Dutchinternational scored a respectable ten goals in his debut season. Hescored the winner against Manchester United (the match was votedLiverpoolfc.tv's best game of the year 2008). The skillful dribblerscored several great goals including an audacious flick againstBeşiktaş and an individual effort against Derby.
10. ALBERTRIERA — Spanish left sider was bought in summer 2008 from Espanyol. Heis a regular starter despite arriving only a few months back. Hispresence provides more width to Liverpool and he has scored three goalsin 21 games so far. More to come for Riera, but 10th is just fair forhim right now.
11. ALVARO ARBELOA — The versatile defender wassigned from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007. He has played in everyposition along the back four during his time in Liverpool. He is thecurrent first choice right back in Liverpool. |
發表於 2009-1-2 09:54 PM
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