Agger rising to the challenge

[Shaggy]

What an imperious performance today from Daniel Agger.

If Agger continues in this vein of form, Rafa is going to have a serious headache when Skrtel returns to fitness. I suspect we'll finally get an indication of who Rafa views as the first choice partner for Carra.

When Agger was out, Skrtel came in and made the place his own. As the man in possession and with results consistently good, the Slovakian's claims were irresistible and Agger had to bide his time. Will Rafa apply the same policy and keep Skrtel amongst the subs or does he come back into the side?

Centre-back isn't really a position that can be 'rotated' so it's going to be intriguing to see how it pans out. Which way would you go and how do you see Rafa playing it?

[lucas]

I don't think there is much difference between Agger & Skrtel. Both are excellent defenders. Maybe Agger is better bringing the ball out of defence and starting attacks. I've always said it would take Agger a couple of games to get back into his stride. He's not back to his best yet but is getting there.

Rafa will have a tough decision to make when Skrtel is fit again.

Its the sort of selection headaches that premiership winning teams are built on. It just shows how good a squad Rafa has built over the last couple of years.

[-V-]

But Shaggy over a 60 game season rotation will take place. 4 compititions are impossible to compete in with just 2 regular centre-halfs. Obviously at this stage they are fresh but soon fatigue and injuries will affect us.Its a great dilemma to have because Carragher cant play 2 games a week and be 100% so he will get the odd game off too

[ukfootballfan101]

I think Skrtel is Carra's long term replacement.

When do you think Carra will retire?

[DannyMan2006]

I think Skrtel is Carra's long term replacement.

When do you think Carra will retire?

Hopefully never. He is the leader at the back and the one who organizes them. He is also the one who always comes in with a last ditch tackle to bail out a collegue who gets done.

The greatest DEFENDER around. Not the best on the ball and guilty of some needless hoofs at times, but put simply he is the man.

Good to see we have quality long term replacements though. If we can keep them happy that is.

[tommyg]

Skrtel was the choice for the first part of this season...but this was also the part of the season that we dropped goals early and needed to come back?? just a thought

[DannyMan2006]

Skrtel was the choice for the first part of this season...but this was also the part of the season that we dropped goals early and needed to come back?? just a thought

You mean like against Wigan when one of the goals conceded was down to a mistake by Agger?

I can't remember a mistake by Skrtel that led to a goal.

But I have no doubt that Agger is top class, he's proved it before with us and he will do so again, just like today.

[Harv]

Agger is our best CB when on form. The way he moves with the ball, it adds so much to our play.

Im delighted to see him starting to really get back to his best.

Id like to see him given a start at LB actually in a couple of games, with Carra and Skrtel in the middle. I think he would excel as a LB, he gets forward so well, and his link up play is superb (look at the equaliser from last week).

[Craig_H]

Depends on the game. At home against lesser sides, without much physical presence up front, i'd play Agger. He's technically good, can 'play' and offers an attacking threat.

In games where we dont want to risk a CB walking the ball through midfield and where we need more brute force at centre half, it's Skrtel.

Lovely to have this kind of choice to make.

[Danish_Pastry]

Depends on the game. At home against lesser sides, without much physical presence up front, i'd play Agger. He's technically good, can 'play' and offers an attacking threat.

In games where we dont want to risk a CB walking the ball through midfield and where we need more brute force at centre half, it's Skrtel.

Lovely to have this kind of choice to make.

... just like against Chelsea wih Drogba up front....

[Mystery]

Yeah, it's great to see Agger back. I have to admit I worried about him when he was out and the rumours was going the rounds.

Skrtel and Agger will have to fight for that spot a couple of years, but at some point they will knock Carra out of the team. It's just a matter of time, but there's a couple of years to come from Carra as well.

[Nicey]

If they are clever which I believe they are; they know there is a job for life here at Liverpool and they are both the future of the club. Both players are still very young for defenders and there will always be injuries and some rotation. Add to that .. they are definitely different types of defenders and I think they will be used accordingly.

[ningnangnong]

I'm certain Skrtel and Agger will be our centre back pairing for the next decade or so, injuries and form permitted.

Agger is topshelf quality. Absolutely delighted with the way he played yesterday, was my MOTM. Showed some brilliant awareness and anticipation to cut out passes, etc. He stopped many of the Chavs 'moves' before they even started.

[Guest]

Hey, Skrtel can play as well!!!!

[dww]

I think that this was Agger's first good game of the season. Even then he was out of position early in the game more than any of the rest of the back four. Admittedly overall the whole back four played splendidly but the stand out player for me was Carragher.

I think people are seeing Agger as playing well before he has started to do so really. Obviously he has shown his class in the past but he needs to prove himself again especially now he has another young centreback competing for his place. It is excellent to have such options in the squad though and hopefully by the time that Skrtel comes back it will be a real quandry for Rafa.