Arbeloa cannot simultaneously cover 3 defensive positions

[The Barber]

i think we're okay on the left. kewell, risse, babel, aurelio, insua, leto.

seems okay on the right as well. finan, arbeloa, pennant, yossi (gerrard, carra)

seems we're short of a center back. carra, agger, sammie

what would be ideal is a right back who can play center back as well.

[fowlen]

I don't know why everyone is harping on about left back and how bad Riise is.

He has been with us for around 6 years, during which time we have been very strong defensively (except when Traore played). He may not be the best left back in the world, but how many better ones can you think of either in the EPL or in European football right now......
my guess is not many.

[Assassin]

Arbeloa is a versatile defender, but he was originally brought in to compete with the excellent Finnan for Right Back. When Finnan is fit he will be first choice and I hope Finnan continues to be fit; however, if not, Arbeloa can cover. Who else in our squad can play at the minimum acceptable level as a right back apart from these two? The only one i can think of is Gerrard who can of course play anywhere, but Gerrard should of course be in midfield, and would only play right back in a real emergency. Then there is the weakness of depth that we have in the centre of defence. Carragher and Agger are, like Finnan, excellent and clearly our first choice partnership there, but looking beyond them and to the idea of 2 players for each position then we see that Hyypia alone is cover. Paletta and Roque I expect are not up to the level required right now, and are loaned to the Argentinian and Spanish leagues respectively. Other than them we have Hobbs and San Jose, both young and unproven. Are either of these two capable of covering Carra and Agger alongside Hyypia? Some might say lets draft in Arbeloa as he can play central defender. This is the same Arbeloa who is covering Finnan in our squad! On the other side of defence Arbeloa has started the season as our left back with Riise pushing into left midfield as Babel is being eased into the season and Kewell and Aurelio are injured. Arbeloa may not have been asked to play left back if Heinze had signed, however, Kewell who with the best will in the world has a worrying injury record and cannot pragmatically be relied upon in a squad for the whole season, so Riise may be asked to play the left midfield position more often. Aurelio when he comes back doesn't have the defensive ability of Arbeloa and may be second fiddle to Arbeloa.

Is it wise that Arbeloa is simultaneously our cover for 3 positions? Should we succeed in purchasing a left back before the deadline and either purchase a central defender in the next few days or one of the 2 young lads at the club make a hefty step up in class (which I see as highly unlikely) we will cover these positions, if not then we could be stretched too much as the season goes on.

Pubs has ventured out of the Chat forum

[Lee]

We dont need no-one. We have the best defence in europe IMO and our back-up is **** hot too.

Agree 100%.

We've got a small army of left backs, four center backs and at least two players capable of filling the right back position.

We're sorted.

**** Heinze and move on lads.

True

Is our backup of Hyypia, Arbeloa, Aurellio, Insua, Hobbs etc any worse than what Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea have? I don't think so. Obviously Gerrard could play RB, and if it was a real emergency then I'm sure Momo or one of the kids would fill in at CB. But I think we're looking into things waaaay too deep here. In my opinion of course.

Admittedly it's good to have plently of cover - and lack of cover cost Chelsea last year probably - but paying £££s for back-up back-up players when we have all of the above isn't needed. What are the odds on having Carragher & Agger etc out injured together for any length of time?

Defensively we're sound. Move along people, there's nothing to see here

[anfieldanfield]

True

Is our backup of Hyypia, Arbeloa, Aurellio, Insua, Hobbs etc any worse than what Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea have? I don't think so. Obviously Gerrard could play RB, and if it was a real emergency then I'm sure Momo or one of the kids would fill in at CB. But I think we're looking into things waaaay too deep here. In my opinion of course.

Admittedly it's good to have plently of cover - and lack of cover cost Chelsea last year probably - but paying £££s for back-up back-up players when we have all of the above isn't needed. What are the odds on having Carragher & Agger etc out injured together for any length of time?

Defensively we're sound. Move along people, there's nothing to see here

Yep, agree with all of that....

[Johnny]

True

Is our backup of Hyypia, Arbeloa, Aurellio, Insua, Hobbs etc any worse than what Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea have? I don't think so. Obviously Gerrard could play RB, and if it was a real emergency then I'm sure Momo or one of the kids would fill in at CB. But I think we're looking into things waaaay too deep here. In my opinion of course.

Admittedly it's good to have plently of cover - and lack of cover cost Chelsea last year probably - but paying £££s for back-up back-up players when we have all of the above isn't needed. What are the odds on having Carragher & Agger etc out injured together for any length of time?

Defensively we're sound. Move along people, there's nothing to see here

Obviously Rafa doesn`t agree.

[Lee]

Obviously Rafa doesn`t agree.

Obviously not, and that's why he has an opinion and so do I. Who am I to disagree with the manager of LFC..?

[Parm]

I have to say the idea of him playing at left back does make me somewhat uneasy, although I must admit slightly less uneasy than the idea of Riise playing there.

Not much more to add than that I'm afraid

I thought Arbeloa has looked quite solid at LB at the moment.

[Red Chilli]

The CROW can cover at the back.

[publiusscipio]

True

Is our backup of Hyypia, Arbeloa, Aurellio, Insua, Hobbs etc any worse than what Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea have? I don't think so. Obviously Gerrard could play RB, and if it was a real emergency then I'm sure Momo or one of the kids would fill in at CB. But I think we're looking into things waaaay too deep here. In my opinion of course.

Admittedly it's good to have plently of cover - and lack of cover cost Chelsea last year probably - but paying £££s for back-up back-up players when we have all of the above isn't needed. What are the odds on having Carragher & Agger etc out injured together for any length of time?

Defensively we're sound. Move along people, there's nothing to see here

You've put your point well mate, we disagree but I'm sure we can both live with that.

[Johnny]

You've put your point well mate, we disagree but I'm sure we can both live with that.

Tender moment on EST,i feel all warm now!!!!!!

[Lee]

You've put your point well mate, we disagree but I'm sure we can both live with that.

Tender moment on EST,i feel all warm now!!!!!!

Awww, can you feel the love

[Johnny]

Awww, can you feel the love

Group hug!!!!!!

[Marky]

We're ****ed if Carragher gets injured imho.

[Johnny]

We're ****ed if Carragher gets injured imho.

Revelation.