The great showdown between Manchester United and Chelsea will be played tonight at Moscow, the Champions League Final. Well, it doesn't matter who win, it won't affect us at all. Nevertheless, it would be a good game of football.
Back to
AnfieldReds, it's time for the next reviews of midfielders.
Harry KewellThe Australian winger has been disappointing on the whole of the season. He was unfortunate to be affected by injuries in his time in Liverpool. I do like him. His experience and has a typical style of a winger which not many can do it his way. He managed to play several matches in the beginning. Rafa still has some faith in the no 7. Sadly, he didn't move on from that matches and instead, got injured again. He was then missing from action and Rafa also allowed him to play Australia on several occasions. It seemed to many that his peak is over and age is catching up on him.
It was announced that Harry will be leaving the club on the free as Rafa has decided not to offer him a new deal. It's a pity but it's part and parcel of football. There are some great moments of him in the Liverpool shirt. His left leg is definitely many would love to have. Unfortunately, we will not see him anymore next season. Good luck Harry! YWNA. Oh yes, he rejected Manchester United and chose Anfield instead. :)
Ratings: 2 / 5Steven GerrardJust like Carragher, Captain Steven Gerrard has been superb from the start till the end. One of most consistent players in the team. Unbelievable talent! He has grown stronger and the new partnership with Fernando Torres upfront was excellent. He enjoys playing just behind the striker and has been scoring goals. Goals which are executed almost perfectly, like the goals against Arsenal and Newcastle. He's utterly disappointed that Liverpool couldn't proceed further in the Champions League and of course, challenging for the title. I can understand what Steven is feeling as I believe every Liverpool fan will share the same sentiments.
In my opinion, Steven Gerrard is the man who can bring us to glory and he's the most important player in the team. Heartbeat of Liverpool, Rafa needs to play the team around him and I believe we are heading the right direction. It's a good rest for him as England won't be involved in the Euros. He will be out firing next season!
Ratings: 5 / 5Yossi BenayounThis fellow here was bought from West Ham, notably to replace
Luis Garcia who left in the summer. In the beginning, I was full of doubts of Yossi. How can he replace Luis Garcia? In fact, they are two different players. The versatile Benayoun proved to me that he can be unique in his own way and is not a bad signing after all. He scored many goals including hat-trick against Bekitas 8-0 thrashing game. He loves to cut into the channel which gave defenders problems. A good team player and always working hard for the team. Everyone would remember how he "danced" past Chelsea defenders and assist Torres' goal at the Bridge. What a great assist! He would be around for sure next season, let's hope he can continue this form and contributes to the team as much like this season.
Ratings: 4 / 5Xabi AlonsoEver since Rafa Benitez is around, Xabi has been spraying passes across the field for Liverpool. To me, he's also one of the cores of the team. He needs to be there distributing the play and at the same time, protecting the back 4. Like before, I've never doubt this Spanish's ability. His vision and accuracy in passing are essentials for the Reds as teams tend to play very deep against us especially at Anfield. He is also the few ones who can break defences. He started the campaign pretty well, before suffering a broken bone. He was out for some time and we did miss him. Nevertheless, when he came back, he was performing consistently, but not at his best form. I believe he can play better.
The future of Alonso seemed to be in doubt. Speculation of him leaving in the summer is pretty massive. I just don't wish to see him leave. Although both Rafa and Xabi has spoken on their own staying on speeches, it's hard to predict what will happen in the market. He has to be around and in order for Liverpool to do well, we have to keep our best players and Alonso is one of them. I wish to see the no 14 to be around for a long time for Liverpool.
Ratings: 3.5 / 5Jermaine PennantThe right winger has not really improved over the season. He's not a bad winger, delivering quality crosses into the box which scored several important goals. Having said that, his temper can be questioned at times. He got sent off earlier in the season and that cost Liverpool 3 points. He seemed to be able to control his discipline more as the season progressed. He's not a fantastic winger which can change a game, but he did put up some decent performances for the team. Rafa seemed to have lost his patience against the English winger and Pennant's future is in major doubt in this summer. Probably a part exchange in the making? I don't know.
Ratings: 3 / 5
Ryan Babel11 million pounds signing. So much potential and expectations on the 20 year old winger. I was quite excited to see Liverpool signing him right in front of rivals Arsenal's noses. Strong, fast and the ability to shoot from distance are attributes of a great player. He is compared to our great winger of all times, John Barnes. They have similar style of player and I do hope Babel can be another Barnes very soon. Despite all the anticipation, Babel was not adapting too well on the English style of play. He was struggling with the pace and the physical side of it in the beginning. He managed to overcome that as he played more matches and he scored several good goals as well.
He has also developed a reputation of becoming a supersub. Whenever he comes in, he does have some impact on the game, be it a goal or assist. Strangely, whenever he starts a game, he don't have the same impact as he did when he comes on. He still has many areas to learn. He has the potential and ability, no doubt about it. He has to be more aggressive in his play and hopefully, next season, he would be able to terrify defenders with his pace and dribbles. I have faith in you, Ryan.
Ratings: 4 / 5Javier MascheranoI'm so pleased that we have signed Javier on a permanent basis. He's a great player and has become a valuable asset in the team. Alongside Xabi Alonso, the two of them are the ones in the middle of the park, distributing and destroying play. Mascherano is a monster. Tackling accurately and is never afraid to compete with the bigger sized players. His form is superb and I'm very happy to see him scoring for Liverpool against Reading earlier in the season. Yes, people will remember his sent-off against Manchester United. The infamous red card for arguing with the ref has caused so much sayings and criticism. He've learnt his lesson and he came out stronger after that. Hardworking as ever. Never give up the ball when it's in his area. He's an important player for the team. Well done Mash!
Ratings: 5 / 5Lucas LeviaThe young Brazilian Lucas was bought earlier last season. I was watching his videos and I do think he has a lot of potential. When he came to Liverpool, I did expect a little more from this young fellow. Just like Babel, he took time to adapt to the play and he's not a bad player after all. A decent midfielder who can come into the team and do the job for us. Still have plenty to learn and I do think he's the one for the future. He's already playing some first team football and this would broaden his playing experience at the top. I will be looking forward how Rafa's going to develop this Brazilian player into the English style of play. Come on Lucas!
Ratings: 3.5 / 5Last but not least, the review of the Strikers would be coming up pretty soon. Stay tuned..
You'll Never Walk Alone..
