Who are our 5 most important players?

[Nic83]

Gerrard
Alonso
Carra
Momo
Riise

[Shaggy]

Five most important players are:-

1) Gerrard - obvious really, best player in the league. Talisman and can change a game in a heart beat.

2) Sissoko - causes the opposition midfield to make numerous mistakes, as he covers that much ground and puts in that many tackles. Provides a huge amount of energy in the centre, and we have no-one that can replicate his game - not even Gerrard!

3) Reina - Ok he's been poor this season - but this, as Shaggy said, just goes to show what we are missing. Last year he enabled the defence to play higher up the pitch, as he acted like a sweeper, he also gave tremendous confidence to the back-line (something which has been lost so far this year) and is an excellent shop-stopper to boot. We need him back to his best.

4) Riise - Bit of a shock this one, to be honest. Under Rafa he has been a different player, and he doesn't have the same hoof-tendencies as what he once had, he's also worked hard at his defensive game and was key in last years mean defence (this again highlights some of this seasons problems - with his injuries we've looked very weak on the left of defence.) Riise also gives a genuine attacking option from deep left - if he gets space and has the room to cut into the centre ground then the opposition better look out, as a Riise-enabled Rocket is more than likely being fired at goal - this goal threat helps the left midfield out enormously, as the opposition right side have to pay attention to where Riise is on the field, something which Aurelio doesn't give (yet?!)

5) Carragher - It's probably fair to say that Carragher isn't having a great season so far - however he is still our best never-say-die defender, and the heartbeat of the defense. Either way you look at it, Agger is being groomed as Sami's eventual replacement, not Carraghers.

I've not picked Alonso, Crouch, Finnan, Hyypia, Garcia, Zenden ()and Kuyt for various reasons - however, I can see an argument for each to be included. In the end I've gone for "what we miss if they aren't playing/performing"

Agreed with four of those five Caco, but IMO Xabi has to be in. I’m amazed he’s not made it in to one or two of these top fives. He makes us tick.

[Rich]

Agreed with four of those five Caco, but IMO Xabi has to be in. I’m amazed he’s not made it in to one or two of these top fives. He makes us tick.

I agree to a certain extent - however, I was going for the "what we miss if they aren't there" angle, and I just think that Alonso can be left out, with Gerrard playing centre (or even Zenden shhhhhh) and we wouldn't miss him as much as the five players I've listed. Alonso would probably be number 6 on my list!

...not that Alonso isn't a great player, and one of my favourites too!

[Michael]

I'm the only one who put Kewell in.....

shocking!

[Tom]

The spine including Reina (and gerrard even when played wide).

[Craig_H]

Gerrard
Alonso
Carra
Momo
Riise

You *really* rate JAR, dont you?

[mersey86]

1. Stevie
2. Pepe
3. Xabi
4. Momo
5. Carra

[Bob]

1. Stevie
2. Carra
3. Momo
4. Xabi
5. Pepe

I can understand people putting Pepe higher, given (no pun intended) Dudek is the only back up.

BTW, is it just me that finds 99% of posters from the KT free site squabbling little kids with a big **** off chip on their shoulder.

[Fagan]

Gerrard
Alonso
Carra
Momo
Reina

[Jan-Erik]

1. Gerrard
2. Carragher
3. Sissoko
4. Kuyt
5. Alonso

[The Glove]

Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kuyt
Carra

[Morph]

Well after a quick straw pole it seems, the most 'important' are:

Gerrard
Carra
Momo
Alonso
with last place tied between Crouch, Reina and Kuyt.

That's a good spine to the team, and telling that there were hardly any wide men in these lists.

[blacky]

Gerrard
Carra
Momo
Finnan
Kuyt

[Nic83]

Back on topic. Agger may become very important soon enough....

[nobbylad]

Bellamy
Pennant
Aurelio
Gonzalez
Kewell