Goalkeepers
Dudek, Chris Kirkland, Patrice Luzi
Defenders
Carl Medjani, Stephane Henchoz, Jon Otsemobor, Djimi Traore, John Arne Riise
Midfielders
Dietmar Hamann, Danny Murphy, Bruno Cheyrou, Igor Biscan, Vladimir Smicer, John Welsh, Salif Diao, Richie Partridge
Forwards
Cisse, El Hadji Diouf, Anthony Le Tallec, Milan Baros, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Harry Kewell, Emile Heskey- (I've replace Cisse with Owen because both were really out of Rafa's control.)
Together with Sami, Carra, Finnan & Stevie G this was the squad Rafa inherited 4 years ago.
Out of every one of those players, the only change I would make is Flo for Voronin.
A common complaint in the media and on many forums is that Rafa has spent money since he has been here, but we are no nearer the title.
The fact is we are unrecognisable from the team Rafa took over. He has literally had to start from scratch and create a potential title winning side out of nothing. In the 14 years before he arrived we managed an average of 2 points a game once. In his 4 years we have done it twice and there is a good chance it could have been 3 times if we weren't concentrating solely on the European Cup Final in 2007.
If you look year on year since he arrived our squad always improves and will continue to do so.
We have a goalkeeper and defence that is on a par with any side in Europe. We have possibly the best holding midfielder and striker in Europe. We have a captain who can only be described as a phenomenon who has formed a partnership with Torres (which some incredibly feel should be broken up by moving him wide or back into central midfield) that has the potential to be one of the best ever. We have squad players who are proven internationals and after the reserves exploits from last season, arguably the best collection of youngsters in the country.
Add to that we still have a fair amount of money to spend thanks to Rafa's dealings in the transfer market and he has already mentioned we are going to make further big name signings so again our squad will be better.
These aren't rose tinted glasses or actions of some pro Rafa brigade, these are facts, Rafa has and continues to make Liverpool a better team.
I fully expect us to challenge for the title; and I think for a manager who likes his options, two extra substitutes will make a massive difference this season.
Dudek, Chris Kirkland, Patrice Luzi
Defenders
Carl Medjani, Stephane Henchoz, Jon Otsemobor, Djimi Traore, John Arne Riise
Midfielders
Dietmar Hamann, Danny Murphy, Bruno Cheyrou, Igor Biscan, Vladimir Smicer, John Welsh, Salif Diao, Richie Partridge
Forwards
Cisse, El Hadji Diouf, Anthony Le Tallec, Milan Baros, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Harry Kewell, Emile Heskey- (I've replace Cisse with Owen because both were really out of Rafa's control.)
Together with Sami, Carra, Finnan & Stevie G this was the squad Rafa inherited 4 years ago.
Out of every one of those players, the only change I would make is Flo for Voronin.
A common complaint in the media and on many forums is that Rafa has spent money since he has been here, but we are no nearer the title.
The fact is we are unrecognisable from the team Rafa took over. He has literally had to start from scratch and create a potential title winning side out of nothing. In the 14 years before he arrived we managed an average of 2 points a game once. In his 4 years we have done it twice and there is a good chance it could have been 3 times if we weren't concentrating solely on the European Cup Final in 2007.
If you look year on year since he arrived our squad always improves and will continue to do so.
We have a goalkeeper and defence that is on a par with any side in Europe. We have possibly the best holding midfielder and striker in Europe. We have a captain who can only be described as a phenomenon who has formed a partnership with Torres (which some incredibly feel should be broken up by moving him wide or back into central midfield) that has the potential to be one of the best ever. We have squad players who are proven internationals and after the reserves exploits from last season, arguably the best collection of youngsters in the country.
Add to that we still have a fair amount of money to spend thanks to Rafa's dealings in the transfer market and he has already mentioned we are going to make further big name signings so again our squad will be better.
These aren't rose tinted glasses or actions of some pro Rafa brigade, these are facts, Rafa has and continues to make Liverpool a better team.
I fully expect us to challenge for the title; and I think for a manager who likes his options, two extra substitutes will make a massive difference this season.
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