Steve Finnan and Alvaro!

[fowlen]

Finnan to me was our most consistant defender for some time. The lad never put a foot wrong and is Mr Dependable.

I always thought that we'd need to find a replacement for him as age is not on his side, and I was eager to see what Antonio Barragan would bring to us - that never worked out, and Finnan was always one of the first names on the team sheet.

Now he is unable to get too many games because of a youngster that none of us had ever heard about.

Alvaro Arbeloa to me has the ability to become a LFC great. He is young, learns so so quickly, can play anywhere in defense is composed, has skill can go forward with ease and can also cross the ball. This kid has displaced Finnan without weakening the side, which is testament to how well he has settled and adapted. he is still young and to be fair has cost us a goal or two due to poor decision making / positioning, but as mentioned he is young and learning his trade from some fantastic teachers (Carra and Sami).

I think Arbeloa has been brilliant for us and should this kind of form continue he will turn out to be some player.
So far one of Rafa's best purchases!

[fah-q]

Agree, I esp like the fact he can play on both flanks. Reminds me of a Spanish waiter version of Rob Jones. Except he has already scored for us.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Train him in at left back where fine on the right

Lovely player though

[AFII]

Sevilla can keep Alves, Arbeloa is better than him

[willa1975]

One of our unsung heroes this season, for sure. I think his absence had a lot to do with our poor form earlier in the season. Well worth the 2.5 million we spent on him.

For now, I'm happy to see him on the left and Finnan on the right.

[Milan_Milan]

Anyone who can play their first game for LFC away in the Nou Camp and keep Messi quiet is some player! Definitely an unsung hero!

[Svennis]

He's not that young. He will be 25 in January.

[Guest]

He's not that young. He will be 25 in January.

He's not so old.

[ningnangnong]

Agree with all said.

Also, it goes a bit unnoticed but he's excellent going forward, can cut in or slice through defenders with ease.

[JohnDoe]

Arbeloa is a near perfect full back. He reminds me of Zambrotta, only his aerial ability is a bit lacking sometimes, but in every other area of the game he excels whether it's defending or attacking.

He's also one of the best markers I've seen in that position, he simply chokes every winger who's in his way.

I love his combination with Benayoun on the right, two very intelligent footballers who understand each other well, I've heard somewhere they're good friends off the pitch so it might be that. Our strongest right side IMO.

[Armchairkopite]

He is a very classy full back but he can't defend to Finnans level YET. Remember Liverpool and Barca at Anfield last season Finnan threw himself in front of everything ala Carra and was simply awesome, i think if we can in still that warrior type mentality into Alvaro he could well turn into a World class defender.

[Armchairkopite]

Arbeloa is a near perfect full back. He reminds me of Zambrotta, only his aerial ability is a bit lacking sometimes, but in every other area of the game he excels whether it's defending or attacking.

He's also one of the best markers I've seen in that position, he simply chokes every winger who's in his way.

I love his combination with Benayoun on the right, two very intelligent footballers who understand each other well, I've heard somewhere they're good friends off the pitch so it might be that. Our strongest right side IMO.

I'm still unconvinced by Benayoun tbh, although i'd gladly be proven wrong.

[JohnDoe]

He is a very classy full back but he can't defend to Finnans level YET. Remember Liverpool and Barca at Anfield last season Finnan threw himself in front of everything ala Carra and was simply awesome, i think if we can in still that warrior type mentality into Alvaro he could well turn into a World class defender.

Arbeloa's as good a defender as Finnan, he ate Messi for breakfast when we faced them during two games, he doesn't have Finnan's experience yet but he's got more ability.

[Armchairkopite]

I agree he has more ability but he isn't as good a defender as Finnan yet imo. You can point out the Nou Camp game where Arbeola marked Messi out of the game but that doesn't make him a better right back than Finnan.

[Shaggy]

I agree he has more ability but he isn't as good a defender as Finnan yet imo. You can point out the Nou Camp game where Arbeola marked Messi out of the game but that doesn't make him a better right back than Finnan.

IRISH BIAS STRIKES AGAIN!

I’ve been a big fan of Finnan but today Arbeloa is the better right back. As it happens, I also think Arbeloa is our best left-back at this moment in time so, on Sunday, I’d go Finnan at right-back and AA on the left.