Luis Suarez is taking the headlines at the moment, both good and bad. We all know he’s an exceptional player. Middle fingers and goals will inevitably make stories but for me, the most impressive thing about Liverpool at the moment is the defence.
The back four are getting stronger with each passing week. This is the same back four that is keeping club stalwart Jamie Carragher on the bench, a strong indication that they’re doing something right. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger are unplayable at the moment and against QPR they were magnificent. They provided the platform for Liverpool to win 1-0.
In recent weeks the reds have knuckled down at the back and the chances against are low in numbers. The partnership of Skrtel and Agger has blossomed into one of the strongest in the division and barring any injury, it’s very hard to see Jamie Carragher getting his shirt back in the near future.
The improvement from Skrtel has been quite remarkable. At times last season he was a liability but today, he truly is a reformed character. I’m expecting him to grow his hair over Christmas and develop a side part going into the New Year, such has been his transformation. He reminds me of the main character in American History X, the chap who all the Neo Nazi’s loved for being a bit of a lunatic. After spending his early years as an erratic juvenile, Martin Skrtel has seen the light, changed his ways and become a positive role model. The resemblance is uncanny.
At Anfield on Saturday, I was taken aback by the sheer strength of Jay Bothroyd. He’s built like one of those massive police horses outside the ground and our lads were bouncing off his frame all afternoon. QPR’s plan was to soak up the pressure and get the ball to Bothroyd as quick as possible. Little Tommy Smith got brought in to replace Helguson and their idea was to get him and Wright-Phillips in and around the big target man. Not once did Skrtel or Agger allow any of them to get on the wrong side. Any apparent danger got cleaned up effectively and few battles were lost, either in the air or on the deck. They made it look easy.
What Skrtel and Agger have over Carragher is the ability to bring the ball out of defence. They both have a goal in them, they’re fast and they can knock it about. Carragher has never really had that in his locker; he’s a defender and an organiser who can pick a pass. His first priority though is to clear the lines and remove the danger.
It must be killing Jamie Carragher at the moment but he will understand. If history has taught us anything it’s that Skrtel and Agger are liable for an injury. All Jamie has to do is keep fit and wait for the inevitable chance to get his place back.
The competition is healthy at the back, both in the centre and at full back. Kenny Dalglsih must be delighted with the reaction he is getting from his defenders. Nobody is causing a fuss or throwing their toys out the pram, just knuckling down and working hard for the club. Just look at Chelsea and the way Frank Lampard is carrying on in the public eye. It’s no good to anyone and thankfully our lads are made of sterner stuff.
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