Daniel Agger set to make return in Liverpool FC reserves

[Shanks]

I will say though Kewell worked very hard - which was refreshing

Frustrating that though.

We have a few players who seem to graft but are unable to achieve that end result.

Kewell, Kuyt, Pennant, Aurelio, Voronin.

[DannyMan2006]

Insua is the reason to why we don't need to sign a new left back. He can be the left sided version of Alves in two, three years time. He is that good.

You're not the only one going on about Insua, but as you're his biggest fan I'll reply to you

Tonight it was shown why Insua is not yet playing in the first team. Great going forward but all to often was ripped to pieces at the back. Chris Eagles looked a world beater every time he faced Insua one on one, and he wasn't the only one to get the better of him.

I must say though that I've seen Insua quite a few times now and that to date was his worst performance, so it may only be a one off. Some great little cameos from him, and as usual excellent going forward, but still not good enough at the back.

I would imagine that most premiership wingers would eat him for breakfast on that showing. But like I said, he has played far better and isn't to far of the first XI. For now Riise and Aurelio are the better option.

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As for Kewell, quality showed in the end but there were two occasions including the goal where he sprinted and made me wonder why he doesn't do this to often. Maybe it's his speed from a standing start (acceleration) that has gone, because he looked bloody fast when at full steam. Slower than the Kewell of old, but manageable.

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Also not pleased with Spearings performance, but he's been out for a couple of weeks prior to tonight and got better as the night wore on. Just seemed a little over awed maybe at the start and he and Darby didn't seem n the same wave length at the start.

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As for Xabi, Skrtel and Agger, their class shone through and was delighted to see all put in a decent shift. Xabi deservedly MOTM and on this showing maybe isn't to far away from a return to the first team. Seemed to have that extra yard of pace tonight as shown by robbing Sam Hewson of the ball a few times. The other two looked fit which was the main thing.

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Overall we fully deserved to win, even if they should have levelled late on - defo over the line for me.

[homer1]

Hoped Kewell would put in a big performance but have to say was very disappointed with his first 70 mins where he didn't look that interested. Ironically enough - at this point, when I thought he would fade he actually did very well, showing nice touches, good control & passing and very positive runs

Running out of time to earn himself a new contract so would be expecting him to be busting a gut at every opportunity, first team or reserves between now and the end of the season

[Darkon]

Anyone know if Agger came through okay? guess his performance can't be the best after half a year away... Has there been any comments on whehter he felt any pain in his foot?

[Shaggy]

Anyone know if Agger came through okay? guess his performance can't be the best after half a year away... Has there been any comments on whehter he felt any pain in his foot?

He wasn’t tested at all but looked comfortable – same old Agger, really. He was scheduled to only play 45 minutes and he duly went off at half-time.

His replacement, Skrtel, was very impressive.

[homer1]

He wasn’t tested at all but looked comfortable – same old Agger, really. He was scheduled to only play 45 minutes and he duly went off at half-time.

His replacement, Skrtel, was very impressive.

Excellent assessment - not a lot for Agger to do but looked as classy as ever.

Skrtel was very good - in the air, on the ball & looks like someone you wouldn't want to fcuk with, always a good thing for a centre half

[Darkon]

He wasn’t tested at all but looked comfortable – same old Agger, really. He was scheduled to only play 45 minutes and he duly went off at half-time.

His replacement, Skrtel, was very impressive.

Cheers for that, hope he came through the half without any pain, as that is the main problem i guess... Benitez has positive remarks in the echo today, so hopefully ready in a couple of weeks for 1st team action...

[Shaggy]

Rafa Benitez: Daniel Agger's return a huge boost
Feb 27 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ today welcomed the added competition for places at Anfield as a quartet of players came through last night’s reserve team clash with Manchester United unscathed.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel both played a half each, while Xabi Alonso and Harry Kewell both got their names on the scoresheet and completed the full 90 minutes as they press for first team recalls.

Having been without Agger for more than five months as the Dane struggled to recover from a broken metatarsal sustained in September, Benitez was delighted to see the stylish defender finally make his return to competitive action.

He said: "It was good for Agger to get some minutes on the pitch and we decided before the game that he would play the first half and Skrtel would play the second.

"Agger did well and now we will have to see how he is today.

"When you have been out for a long time you have to be careful and you cannot rush back because if you come back too early you can have some problems.

"But Agger did well and it was good to see him back playing football again."

With Skrtel also enjoying a 45 minute run out as he bids to get back to full fitness, the Reds boss could soon find himself with a healthy selection problem at centre half.

He said: "It will be good for us to have Skrtel and Agger available again because at the moment we have only Sami and Carra.

"It is important to have two players for every position.

"It was also good for us to see Kewell and Alonso because we know that they have quality.

“It was important for them and it was important for us."

Meanwhile, Crewe have denied suggestions that starlet Max Clayton is on his way to Liverpool.

Clayton is just 14-years-old, but he is already considered a prize asset in Crewe's highly acclaimed youth set-up and reports at the weekend suggested the Reds were set to snap him up in a £1.5m deal but Crewe say they have had no approach for the youngster and would not welcome one.

Meanwhile, Reds co-owner Tom Hicks has issued the following statement in reaction to speculation about his future ownership at Anfield:

"Reports in the UK media that I am about to sell my stake in the Liverpool Football Club, or to invite DIC to examine the Club's books in preparation for such a sale - like other such reports planted in the UK press in recent weeks by parties with their own self-interested agenda - are absolutely and categorically false.

“The reality is that I am personally, professionally and financially committed to the club and its supporters and that I will continue to honor that commitment to the best of my ability now and in the future.”

[Joe Le Toff]

Did his wife catch him bed with Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley?

[El Jefecito]

You're not the only one going on about Insua, but as you're his biggest fan I'll reply to you

Tonight it was shown why Insua is not yet playing in the first team. Great going forward but all to often was ripped to pieces at the back. Chris Eagles looked a world beater every time he faced Insua one on one, and he wasn't the only one to get the better of him.
I must say though that I've seen Insua quite a few times now and that to date was his worst performance, so it may only be a one off. Some great little cameos from him, and as usual excellent going forward, but still not good enough at the back.

I would imagine that most premiership wingers would eat him for breakfast on that showing. But like I said, he has played far better and isn't to far of the first XI. For now Riise and Aurelio are the better option.

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As for Kewell, quality showed in the end but there were two occasions including the goal where he sprinted and made me wonder why he doesn't do this to often. Maybe it's his speed from a standing start (acceleration) that has gone, because he looked bloody fast when at full steam. Slower than the Kewell of old, but manageable.

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Also not pleased with Spearings performance, but he's been out for a couple of weeks prior to tonight and got better as the night wore on. Just seemed a little over awed maybe at the start and he and Darby didn't seem n the same wave length at the start.

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As for Xabi, Skrtel and Agger, their class shone through and was delighted to see all put in a decent shift. Xabi deservedly MOTM and on this showing maybe isn't to far away from a return to the first team. Seemed to have that extra yard of pace tonight as shown by robbing Sam Hewson of the ball a few times. The other two looked fit which was the main thing.

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Overall we fully deserved to win, even if they should have levelled late on - defo over the line for me.

I agree with you on that score. BUT you need to remember that defending the left side is down to TWO players, Agger and the LB. Agger makes Riise look twice as good and I believe that he would do the same for Insua. Agger will cover for Insua's weaknesses and his (Insua's) attacking prowess would put him ahead of any of our existing LBs.

It's the same w/El Jefecito he makes others players better as they don't need to concentrate on the defensive side of the game. Agger is the same.

[MattB]

I knew this was too good to be true

Desperate Kewell goes the extra mile

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/261042955sp?-11194

[El Jefecito]

I knew this was too good to be true

Desperate Kewell goes the extra mile

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/261042955sp?-11194

Link doesn't work. Get an empty atricle. Can you summarize?

[MattB]

Link doesn't work. Get an empty atricle. Can you summarize?

No article. That's what I found funny. Headline saying Harry is busting his balls and all you get is a page saying the article doesn't exist.

Quite a neat, though unintentional, summary of his situation I thought.

I haven't even looked for the actual article

[Darkon]

Seems that agger will start against the WH reserves, and be playing his second competitive match since returning from injury. Hope he does well and that he will soon be available for first team action..

[Pablo]

Nice one, hopefully he will get 60 minutes or so tonight.

Any other team news for this one yet?