There has been a lot of talk in the last few days about Liverpool’s left back position with many fans pointing out that it is still an area of concern for the Reds.
Jose Enrique has been the first choice left back for a while now but Rodgers decided to bring in Aly Cissokho in the summer on loan from Valencia to cover and compete with Enrique. So far, both Enrique and Cissokho have done reasonably well. Enrique is currently out injured so Cissokho has played the last two games and in all fairness has not done too badly but you can see that he lacks that natural ability to go forward with the ball and he is very much one footed.
Former Liverpool defender, Phil Thompson has suggested that maybe Rodgers should bring in Daniel Agger to play at left back.
Agger has been out of the side since his return from injury and can not displace Sakho, Skrtel and Toure in the central positions. Meaning that Agger just has to bide his time on the bench or as Thomo suggests, come into the side at left back.
Phil Thompson said, sourced from the Liverpool Echo:
“I do think he (Rodgers) needs to find a place for Daniel.
“The back three have done well and the manager deserves credit for sticking with that system.
“After the Newcastle game he could have quite easily thought ‘it didn’t work, we should have won that game’ and ditched it. He kept faith and got his reward against West Brom.
“But Daniel is such a quality performer and I think we’re a better side when he’s in it.
“Putting him in that left wing-back position in place of Aly Cissokho is an option as he’s a good defender and very comfortable going forward.
“Arsenal have a lot of attacking midfield options and it could be very crowded in the centre.
“My concern with a back three would be making sure we don’t leave space for them to get in behind the wing-backs, especially if Theo Walcott is back fit.
“Saturday has got the makings of a great game. Both teams have been playing very well but neither has had to play many of the top teams so far.
“Whatever happens on Saturday is not going to make or break the season. But it will be a good yardstick of where we’re at.
“It’s a great opportunity for Liverpool to put down a marker and prove we can compete at the top end of the league this season.”
Now Agger has not played much football at left back and it is a position he would have to get adjusted to and I feel trying this experiment against a team like Arsenal would be a bad idea. However it could be something Rodgers can look at after the Arsenal game if he feels it will be better having Agger in the team somehow. I am not a fan of putting players in positions that they are not used to!
Agger is not the quickest of players but his passing abilities would be better than the current two left backs. Cissokho has not done much wrong in his two previous games to warrant him being dropped for the Arsenal game so I would expect Rodgers to continue with him there.
The best solution for Liverpool would be to keep Agger on the bench, even though he is a quality player and the clubs vice-captain, and let him just wait for his opportunity to prove himself in the squad again. I am loving this current competition in the Liverpool backline, it really goes to show that we are building a quality squad.
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He is too slow to play left back and his defending has been poor over the last couple of season. He needs to up his game if he wants to return into the side but only at CB.
Cissokho or Enrique cos Agger’s speed is 0 which is no 1 attribute of a full or wing back.It baffles me how our players always moan about competition 4 places look at Reina,Downing, now Agger maybe they loved our last four seasons of mediocrity cos of no competition.Y.N.W.A
agger should replace sakho he is still young rodgers shouldnot replace skrtel, skrtel is aggresiv and No striker can outmatch him when he has markd him jus ask vanpersie and his speed and ariel challenge is great
Maybe Sakho should be moved to the LWB position while Agger moving back to his prefered CB position. Sakho has the pace and stamina to work up and down the left side. I don’t know much about his attacking or crossing ability but the team will be solid defensively for the game.
Agger has, and always will, look like the most luxurious libero in the Premier League. It’s a pity the current formations don’t really have a space for somebody like that, as in our 3-5-2 the back three essentially stay as a flat back three and the two wingbacks fill up the midfield.
As craig points out, he’s not been superb defensively for a little while, either. You don’t really want him as the last point of defence before the keeper.
We have to many defenders on the pitch. Is this a 3-5-2 or a 5-3-2
If you inclode the holding midfield player and the goalkeeper thats 7 defencive players. I feel we should play with two wing backs (wingers that track back) and not defenders. I call that a back wing. That is the way B.Munich play with Robin and Ribbery
either lbw or cb agger nids 2 get bak in to d team br is in bxt postion 2 determin where 2 play him,dis can b don on train pitch.
Agger is a natural centre back. Enrique and Cissokho are left backs. Makes no sense to play Agger at left back. He can be tried in a defensive midfield role. He has natural ball playing skills.