Is Agger better than Carragher?

[Darth Marty]

Its like saying which was the better defender out of Hyypia or Henchoz isnt it.
Like those two Agger and Carragher have completely different defensive attributes, but they complement each other perfectly, but If it came to the crunch Id pick Carra every time.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

No, Agger is a better footballer then Carra but has some way to go to beat Carra as a defender.

He's a fantastic player and is learning fast

[Svennis]

Agger is a great footballer who just happen to be a centreback. His through ball to Arbeloa in Babel's goal yesterday was joy to watch.

Few years and he'll be labelled one of the best centrebacks in the europe.

[spider-neil]

depends if more complete equals 'better'

agger is comfortable on the ball.
has the ability to bring the ball out of defense.
has a blistering shot.
goal threat from set pieces.

agger is a more complete defender than carra but does that equal better?
carra has leadership qualities you simply can't teach to a player so what has more value for a team?
its like comparing gerrard with keane, gerrard obviously has more strings in his bow but keane (imho) was a better leader, so who is better?

[BobTheCharmer]

he's not fit to lick Carra's boots yet.

He's better on the ball without doubt. But the first skill I look for in a centre back is being able to defend. Thats why Hyypia is still one of the best out there. People are obsessed with having a pacy ball playing centre back. Well you can keep your Rio's and Ledley 'has fat arse like bramble' King's of this world.

Carra would throw himself in front of a cannon ball if he had to. Thats real defending.

[Morph]

he's not fit to lick Carra's boots yet.

He's better on the ball without doubt. But the first skill I look for in a centre back is being able to defend. Thats why Hyypia is still one of the best out there. People are obsessed with having a pacy ball playing centre back. Well you can keep your Rio's and Ledley 'has fat arse like bramble' King's of this world.

Carra would throw himself in front of a cannon ball if he had to. Thats real defending.

Exactly, the fact the questions being asked and some people are agger siding with Agger I find baffling, he's a very good defender but surely not better than Carra, although I do think given a few years his best will be better than Carra's best

[ELNINO 9]

carragher is the best defender in the world

[spider-neil]

he's not fit to lick Carra's boots yet.

He's better on the ball without doubt. But the first skill I look for in a centre back is being able to defend. Thats why Hyypia is still one of the best out there. People are obsessed with having a pacy ball playing centre back. Well you can keep your Rio's and Ledley 'has fat arse like bramble' King's of this world.

Carra would throw himself in front of a cannon ball if he had to. Thats real defending.

so you rate hughes better than jocky then?

[Nic83]

Absolutely nowhere near. Bags of potential but loads to learn. Carra is a colossus and for me the very best defender in the prem along with Terry and up there in the world aswell.

[BobTheCharmer]

so you rate hughes better than jocky then?

YES....errr NO...... YES NO YES NO ...oh damn you to eternal hell.

Both great players.

Agger compliments Carra well but he isn't better at defending...yet!

[kalesh]

I agree with most of what's been said so far - and that extends to both sides of the argument. I recognise Carra is still probably the better defender whereas Dan is the more rounded player. But what I'd like to draw particular attention to is Agger's ability to anticipate play. As I mentioned in the original post, you never see him on the floor lunging for last ditch tackles. I think this reflects his outstanding reading of the game and, as I said, I find this very reminiscent of Maldini. The reason Maldini has lasted so long in the game is because of his footballing brain. I would say the key attribute for a defender - and something which allows them to make up for a lack of pace or ageing limbs - is their ability to read the game and adapt. Agger is clearly able to do this and it's particularly amazing considering the fact he's only 22.

[spider-neil]

wont get drawn on who I think is better I will however say agger is the type of defender we haven't seen at anfield since we last won the league comparisons with jocky are patently obvious.

[Parm]

Think Agger is the better footballer, better oasser of the ball and a lot more composed. But Carra is a stronger and more authorative defender. Agger will learn so much from playing with Carra, much like Carra learned a lot from playing Hyypia.
Either way you look at it, we have a perfect combo in Defence, much like Lawro and Hansen from back in the day.

[paulcooper4]

not as long as carra has a hole in his arse.

[Biff]

Arbeloa has been our best player at the back so far this season.

Agger will improve and its frightening to think how good he'll become but he's not as good as Carra yet.

The simple way of looking at it is which one of the two gets rotated by Rafa......?