carlyluvsunited
23-01-2008, 08:05 AM
Hargo, Were 'Pool Ever In That Race?
Owen Hargreaves believes Liverpool's title challenge is over and was over before
Monday's draw against Aston Villa at Anfield. They, the United midfielder argues,
are too far off us and Arsenal to have any chance of landing the biggest prize.
It's not rocket science to work it out. However, I would ask if they ever had any
chance of winning the Premiership. I wrote in the summer, prior to the big kick-off
that while Liverpool might be able to improve their performance points wise,
there are at least two better teams in the league (Chelsea and United, I thought
then), so they have little chance of winning it.
It was all hype and glory in the summer for them with getting Fernando Torres
and Ryan Babel, another last pieces of the jigsaw that somehow never looks
completed. For me, those who get on Benitez's back have a point but those who
defend him make valid arguments too.
First and foremost it is astonishing that not just fans but journalists actually
thought Liverpool could win the league. Now really: Kewell and Benayoun on the
flanks for Liverpool, Giggs and Ronaldo for United. Compare Aurelio and Riise to
Evra. Torres is the real deal, he's a great signing for them - but his strike partner
is either Kuyt or Voronin or Crouch. Rooney is a great player and his strike
partner is a fabulous player, Carlos Tevez.
Babel, at present, is the equivalent of Nani, with the only exception that we have
much better attackers in the squad than Nani... In central defense, Carragher is
good but guys, it's no anti-Liverpool bias that England managers kept selecting
Ferdinand instead. Simply, Rio is better though not as appreciated by some
because he's not the archetypical English centre-half: he's skilled, and does not
have the strained looks of a man who's tortured when he's playing. Carragher
and Terry always look like what they do cost them every ounce of their strength
and stamina whereas Ferdinand makes things look easy. For some reason, the
former style is more appreciated in England, regardless of their true quality...
Agger might be brilliant but he's always injured so it's difficult to count on him
whereas Hyypia is not up to it anymore. Xabi Alonso is a silky passer but does
little else and he's another one who spends ages in the treatment room. Sissoko
can't pass to save his life and though Gerrard is admittedly a quality player, he
lacks footballing intelligence. He can only play at one speed, that is 100 mph
hence the passes going astray and that's why he's conceding possession too
often in crucial situations.
So, I don't think they were ever really in that title race. The Liverpool hype was at
its peak after the 6-0 win over Derby... I mean, it was Derby County, for god's
sake, the worst team in Premiership history. You can talk about rotation all day
but even a settled starting eleven would be of little help to Liverpool as they
have a lot of players who are simply not good enough.
Now I know what their fans will say: Benitez did not have enough funds to spend.
And it's certainly true that he had much less than either United or Chelsea can
fork out for players. Benitez cannot afford the luxury of collecting quality English
players, an activity that is one of Fergie's favourite pastimes: Ferdinand, Rooney,
Carrick, Hargreaves, all came for big money.
However, Fergie can unearth cheap gems and does it better than Benitez, the
disastrous Bellion-Kleberson-Djemba twins experiment aside. The combined cost
of our three most consistent performers, Ronaldo, Vidic and Evra was about 24.
7m. That's roughly the same amount that Liverpool had spent on Torres and while
he's a sucess, the Crouch-Kuyt-Pennant trio cost 22.6 - for that price he could
have got Ronaldo, Vidic and Evra...
So I believe that the truth is between the opinions of the Benitez-bashers and
the Benitez-worshippers. This squad is by no means equipped for a title
challenge so it's not realistic to expect him to deliver it and amid all the
uncertainity with the owner it is even more difficult so a few draws should not .
But it is his responsibility that the squad looks only marginally better than when
he took over in 2008.
And lest we forget, his league record against Fergie reads 0-1-6... Long may the
Rafalution continue! www.vitalfootball.com
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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Owen Hargreaves believes Liverpool's title challenge is over and was over before
Monday's draw against Aston Villa at Anfield. They, the United midfielder argues,
are too far off us and Arsenal to have any chance of landing the biggest prize.
It's not rocket science to work it out. However, I would ask if they ever had any
chance of winning the Premiership. I wrote in the summer, prior to the big kick-off
that while Liverpool might be able to improve their performance points wise,
there are at least two better teams in the league (Chelsea and United, I thought
then), so they have little chance of winning it.
It was all hype and glory in the summer for them with getting Fernando Torres
and Ryan Babel, another last pieces of the jigsaw that somehow never looks
completed. For me, those who get on Benitez's back have a point but those who
defend him make valid arguments too.
First and foremost it is astonishing that not just fans but journalists actually
thought Liverpool could win the league. Now really: Kewell and Benayoun on the
flanks for Liverpool, Giggs and Ronaldo for United. Compare Aurelio and Riise to
Evra. Torres is the real deal, he's a great signing for them - but his strike partner
is either Kuyt or Voronin or Crouch. Rooney is a great player and his strike
partner is a fabulous player, Carlos Tevez.
Babel, at present, is the equivalent of Nani, with the only exception that we have
much better attackers in the squad than Nani... In central defense, Carragher is
good but guys, it's no anti-Liverpool bias that England managers kept selecting
Ferdinand instead. Simply, Rio is better though not as appreciated by some
because he's not the archetypical English centre-half: he's skilled, and does not
have the strained looks of a man who's tortured when he's playing. Carragher
and Terry always look like what they do cost them every ounce of their strength
and stamina whereas Ferdinand makes things look easy. For some reason, the
former style is more appreciated in England, regardless of their true quality...
Agger might be brilliant but he's always injured so it's difficult to count on him
whereas Hyypia is not up to it anymore. Xabi Alonso is a silky passer but does
little else and he's another one who spends ages in the treatment room. Sissoko
can't pass to save his life and though Gerrard is admittedly a quality player, he
lacks footballing intelligence. He can only play at one speed, that is 100 mph
hence the passes going astray and that's why he's conceding possession too
often in crucial situations.
So, I don't think they were ever really in that title race. The Liverpool hype was at
its peak after the 6-0 win over Derby... I mean, it was Derby County, for god's
sake, the worst team in Premiership history. You can talk about rotation all day
but even a settled starting eleven would be of little help to Liverpool as they
have a lot of players who are simply not good enough.
Now I know what their fans will say: Benitez did not have enough funds to spend.
And it's certainly true that he had much less than either United or Chelsea can
fork out for players. Benitez cannot afford the luxury of collecting quality English
players, an activity that is one of Fergie's favourite pastimes: Ferdinand, Rooney,
Carrick, Hargreaves, all came for big money.
However, Fergie can unearth cheap gems and does it better than Benitez, the
disastrous Bellion-Kleberson-Djemba twins experiment aside. The combined cost
of our three most consistent performers, Ronaldo, Vidic and Evra was about 24.
7m. That's roughly the same amount that Liverpool had spent on Torres and while
he's a sucess, the Crouch-Kuyt-Pennant trio cost 22.6 - for that price he could
have got Ronaldo, Vidic and Evra...
So I believe that the truth is between the opinions of the Benitez-bashers and
the Benitez-worshippers. This squad is by no means equipped for a title
challenge so it's not realistic to expect him to deliver it and amid all the
uncertainity with the owner it is even more difficult so a few draws should not .
But it is his responsibility that the squad looks only marginally better than when
he took over in 2008.
And lest we forget, his league record against Fergie reads 0-1-6... Long may the
Rafalution continue! www.vitalfootball.com
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php