Wednesday, October 13, 2010 . 8:03 PM

Haven't written a post complaining about Liverpool in a long while now and since I have hols at the moment I might as well...

Man, Liverpool seriously suck.

I don't know about other Liverpool fans, but when I compare the team of 2005 that won the Champions League with this current team (not even comparing the class of 08-09 that got 2nd place after a scintillating season), I think that team totally outpwns this one. Let's see the comparison player by player:

Goalkeeper: Jerzy Dudek (2004-05) vs Pepe Reina (2010-11)

Okay in the first category, Dudek loses outright, just because Reina is a far more consistent keeper than he is. Although Dudek managed to pull off the spectacular every now and then, such as the double save and penalty save against Shevchenko in 2005, Reina is far more composed and a far greater commander of his area, also a far better distributor of the ball than Dudek.

Right back: Steve Finnan (2004-05) vs Glen Johnson (2010-11)

Glen Johnson still hasn't won me over yet. I don't think he's as good a defender as Steve Finnan was at Liverpool. His attacking prowess down the right flank is better, but Finnan was no slouch in that department either. Finnan wins because he is a far better defender than Johnson is now.

Centre backs: Jamie Carragher & Sami Hyypia (2004-05) vs Jamie Carragher & Martin Skrtel (2010-11)

I still cannot fathom how Skrtel can get into the team ahead of Daniel Agger. Agger is a far more composed and classy player than Skrtel is, who mostly fouls people and boots the ball away when it gets near him. Distribution-wise is far inferior to that of Agger or Hyypia. Hyypia in the defence always brought a sense of calm. You had confidence in that guy. In Skrtel, you don't. And who can forget Hyypia's long crossfield balls to the flanks from the centre of the defence? He could change defence to attack with just one lob upfield. Carragher used to instill the same kind of confidence, but now just keeps yelling at his old team-mates. He's too slow now for his all-action kind of play and needs to read the game better. Hyypia was just too world class at that, and it was a HUGE mistake of Benitez to let him go.

Left back: John Arne Riise (2004-05) vs Paul Konchesky (2010-11)

Difficult to say. Riise was a fine performer when he first came but in his later years at Liverpool he totally lost it and looked a shadow of the player he once was. The jury is still out on Paul Konchesky, he's looked solid in the few games he's played but doesn't offer much in attacking options... Definitely better than Insua though.

Right midfield: Luis Garcia (2004-05) vs Dirk Kuyt (2010-11)

Oh what I wouldn't give to have Garcia back. He was the one player in the side who could provide that extra spark, that little bit of magic that can make a difference in matches. Granted, he could be excellent in one match and hopeless in the next but he's that player who can turn matches around with a piece of brilliance and that's what Liverpool have been missing since he left. Dirk Kuyt is a fantastic and consistent performer who never runs out of energy, but he lacks that creative spark that Garcia has. Given a choice between the two, I'd choose Garcia for his goalscoring record and creativity.

Centre midfield: Steven Gerrard & Xabi Alonso (2004-05) vs Steven Gerrard & Raul Meireles/Christian Poulsen/Lucas (2010-2011)

Oh Xabi Alonso. Hugest mistake was to sell him. Alonso would provide the service for all the attackers, he'd stabilize the midfield with his passing, which was always so accurate, and his passing range was exceptional as well. Raul Meireles hasn't looked as good as Alonso did, but that's largely cos Hodgson keeps playing him on the right side instead of in the centre O_O Don't get me started on Poulsen or Lucas. My goodness, I don't think they're even Championship standard material. As for Gerrard, the difference between him then and now I think is largely confidence. He doesn't have the confidence in his teammates as he used to have last time each game he plays now is carrying Liverpool, and that's just too much to ask of him.

Left midfield: Harry Kewell (2004-05) vs Milan Jovanovic (2010-2011)

Okay I would be biased here cos I base my game largely on how Kewell used to play when he was at Leeds United. I'd never forget my joy when he signed for Liverpool, even though he didn't replicate the form that he had at Leeds. But I'd choose Kewell over Jovanovic any day. Like Garcia, he could produce a piece of magic from nowhere and win Liverpool a match. Jovanovic just runs around and around and then loses the ball. He's like a left-footed Kuyt with poorer control. Absolutely horrible buy for Liverpool.

Strikers: Djibril Cisse & Milan Baros (2004-05) vs Fernando Torres & Joe Cole (2010-2011)

I would say Baros enjoyed arguably his best footballing years at Liverpool. He was always a constant threat with his pace and even though his finishing and chance-taking leave much to be desired, he had so many chances a match that you'd bet on him to score at least one. Cisse was a flop at Liverpool given his track record at Auxerre and it was disappointing to see one of the supposed future stars of the France squad fall so badly. Nothing needs to be said about Torres. His track record says it all... Arguably the best striker to play for Liverpool. Cole has failed to impress this season so far. He's not exactly a striker but he's supposed to play in the hole behind Torres, though why Hodgson keeps playing him on the left bewilders me. But even so, Cole used to play on the left for Chelsea all the time and did great, but now he can't seem to do much. It's very disappointing, really.

Apart from Alonso, there was still Dietmar Hamann, who I maintain is still the best defensive midfielder I've ever had the privilege to watch (yes, Mascherano included). And even if Liverpool played a 4-5-1 with Hamann and Alonso with Gerrard in front of them, it'd still be better than the current midfield of Gerrard and Meireles/Poulsen/Lucas and Cole in front of them. Seriously.

I also don't get why all the Liverpool players keep giving interviews saying that "Fernando will come good" or "Torres needs time to get fit" or "Torres will start firing again" and all that bull. TORRES IS OKAY. WHAT HE NEEDS IS NOT TO GET FIT, HE NEEDS FREAKING BETTER PLAYERS AROUND HIM.

The WHOLE team sucks! Not Torres! It's not his fault! The whole team is doing NOTHING, and they're all saying Torres needs to score more goals. WHAT a whole load of bullcrap! I bet all this talk will drive Torres off at the end of the season, or better still, January. Seriously.

What a screwed up Liverpool team. They seriously need to revamp the whole squad. Starting with the manager. I hope the new owners see that, and get someone with a real proven track record into the managerial helm, one who doesn't need MONEY or new players to get his own bloody players playing well.

Damn hopeless.