How Liverpool`s Squad Measures Up
Starting our assessment of how each of the Big Four's squads measure up, we take a look at Liverpool. Benitez has been a busy man this summer but it's been worth the hassle. This is the best squad of his reign...
There are two reasons to regard Liverpool's squad with greater respect than 12 months ago.
The first is the indisputable proof provided by Fernando Torres in the intervening period that he is a top-class striker, worthy of comparison with any other performer in the league. The second involves a leap of faith in Rafa Benitez and is dependent on the assumption that the Spaniard will be a better Premier League manager for another year in England and that the value of his judgements should be treated accordingly.
In that sense, it must be encouraging that Benitez's main purchase this summer is a tried-and-proven Premiership player in the form of Robbie Keane. Another should follow in the shape of Gareth Barry. The Spaniard won't admit in public that the English league rather than the Champions League is his priority this term but his decision to spend the bulk of his transfer kitty in England rather than Spain and Europe is telling.
Even if he does not acquire Barry, Benitez's wheeling and dealing this summer has produced a well-balanced and strong squad with no obvious weaknesses.
Naturally, those of an Anfield allegiance will fear an injury to Torres, although that is as much testimony to his ability as acknowledgment that reassuring cover is absent. In any case, Benitez deliberately pursued Keane, rather than an outstanding winger, both to provide Torres with a partner as well as add an extra dimension to Liverpool's attack.
His arrival also provides Benitez with tactical flexibility as, depending on circumstance and opposition, the Spaniard will be able to deploy his team either in the form of a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1. The latter system is particularly enticing given that it would liberate Steven Gerrard along with Keane and either Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt or Yossi Benayoun.
For the most part, Javier Mascherano and either Xabi Alonso or Barry will provide the platform behind whichever combination Benitez selects, but the additional availability of both Lucas and Damien Plessis - a French youngster who impressed both on his debut against Arsenal in April and during pre-season - will offer further scope for rotation.
Gerrard's appearances in the centre may be confined to the memory, with the Pool captain apparently destined to feature either on the right of midfield or as part of an attacking triumvirate. It is reasonable to assume that even if a 4-2-3-1 plays to Torres' strengths, Benitez also had Gerrard - and the perennial question of where his best position is - in mind when he first considered the system's introduction.
There are plenty of options at full-back as well, although the purchases of Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena should signal stability on both flanks. Yet it is the centre of Liverpool's defence that the strength of their squad is most evident with the equally-excellent Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger vying to be Jamie Carragher's partner. Sami Hyypia should not be embarrassed at being considered fourth-choice.
What they lack in width, Liverpool boast in spine.
All Bases Covered?
How The Liverpool Squad Measures Up
Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina, Diego Cavalieri.
Right-Back: Philipp Degen, Alvaro Arbeloa, Steve Finnan.
Left-Back:Andrea Dossena, Fabiano Aurelio, Emiliano Insua.
Centre-Half: Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger.
Centre-Half: Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyppia.
Right-Midfield: Steven Gerrard, Jermaine Pennant.
Centre-Midfield: Javier Mascherano, Lucas.
Centre-Midfield: Xabi Alonso, Damien Plessis.
Left-Midfield: Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun.
Striker: Robbie Keane, Dirk Kuyt, Krisztian Nemeth.
Striker: Fernando Torres, Andrei Voronin, David Ngog.