The past decade - what is your best XI?

A decade has now passed since the departure of Gerard Houllier. This saw the arrival of Rafael Benitez from Valencia, who went on to win us the Champions League in his first season in 2004/05. Rafael's system contrasted significantly to Rodgers system, but what both managers managed were to bring in top class players to this club. Over the past decade, if you could get every player in their prime whilst with us, what would your starting XI and bench look like?

                 Reina
 Finnan Hyypia Carra Riise
           Mascherano
       Alonso       Gerrard
              Sterling
        Sturridge  Suarez

Bench: Mignolet, Moreno, Lovren, Henderson, Coutinho, Kuyt, Torres.

Torres vs Sturridge - this was a tough one. I have gone with Sturridge simply because I'm incredibly impressed by the attitude he has shown here. I also believe he is a better rounded player than Fernando was and as far as goal scoring goes, he has netted 32 in 46 which equates to 0.69 goals per game - so predictably 69-70 goals once he has played 100 league games (given he continues this goalscoring form). Fernando Torres got 65 in 102 games which has a similar goal to game ratio, but his best link up play came from Steven Gerrard who I wouldn't play in that advanced role.

Suarez is an automatic pick for me - first on the team sheet given what he achieved in 13/14 season. 31 goals in 33 games = 0.93 which is basically a goal a game. Over the long term he scored 69 in 110, but under Rodgers he developed his game immensely and became the joint leading goal scorer amongst the top European domestic leagues.

What is your best IX?

Good topic cooter.
I'm going to add a heaping teaspoon of nostalgia, and let pragmatism take a backseat here:

                Reina

Arbeloa-Carra-Masch-Moreno

          Gerrard-Alonso

                Sterling
Sturridge                   Maxi
                  Luis


Subs: Dudek, Flano, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Hendo, Benayoun, Torres

Good topic crouchy.
I'm going to add a heaping teaspoon of nostalgia, and let pragmatism take a backseat here:

                Reina

Arbeloa-Carra-Masch-Moreno

          Gerrard-Alonso

                Sterling
Sturridge                   Maxi
                  Luis


Subs: Dudek, Flano, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Hendo, Benayoun, Torres

Nice team - forgot about Arbeloa.

Oh, I'm CoutinhoRed, not Crouchy

Reina

Arbeloa   Carra   Sami   Riise

Masch Alonso

Gerrard

Sterling    Torres    Suarez

Only real decision was left back Moreno has immense promise but it's too early to put him in so went with JAR.

Good topic cooter.
I'm going to add a heaping teaspoon of nostalgia, and let pragmatism take a backseat here:

                Reina

Arbeloa-Carra-Masch-Moreno

          Gerrard-Alonso

                Sterling
Sturridge                   Maxi
                  Luis


Subs: Dudek, Flano, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Hendo, Benayoun, Torres

No Sami?? Not even on bench!!! Kyrgiakos shocking decison .

Good topic cooter.

 

No Sami?? Not even on bench!!! Kyrgiakos shocking decison .

You're right, Sami deserves a spot. Loved sotos even though he was a bit of a joke!

In 4 2 3 1

        Reina

Finnan Carra Sami Riise

    Masch Alonso

Sterling Stevie Sturridge

           Suarez

4 3 3

Reina

Finnan Carra Sami Riise

  Hendo Stevie Alonso

Sturridge Torres Suarez
 

Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Hyypia
Aurelio
Mascherano
Alonso
Gerrard
Garcia
Suarez
Torres

Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Hyypia
Aurelio
Mascherano
Alonso
Gerrard
Garcia
Suarez
Torres

Garcia ahead of Sterling controversial

Good topic, Coutinhored,very interesting,

Can't see past your X1, have to agree,

                              Pepe
    Finnan. Carragher Hyppia Riise
                      Mascherano
               Gerrard           Alonso
    Sterling.                              Suarez
                          Sturridge

Bench: Dudek, Arbeloa,  Henchoz,  Hamman,  Henderson,  Kuyt,  Torres

If only we could turn this into reality eh!,
Here's a spanner in the works,  who manages, Rafa or Brendan ?

YNWA

Garcia ahead of Sterling controversial

Really? The number of important goals Little Luis scored for the Redmen, means he'd be in straight away.

                   Reina

 Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio

          Mascherano Alonso

                Gerrard
 Suarez                       Garcia
                 Torres
     

Just thinking of who I didn't pick in either team. Honourable mention for Dirk Kuyt

Really? The number of important goals Little Luis scored for the Redmen, means he'd be in straight away.

                   Reina

 Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio

          Mascherano Alonso

                Gerrard
 Suarez                       Garcia
                 Torres
     

Give you it on his goals, but was a very frustrating player imo. We're only 2 players apart in agreeing on same side so I'm sure we'd give each other a decent game. Hope you've a decent full back on yr bench for Aurelio he's bound to pick up a knock (brilliant full back, but probably most injury prone player I've know us have).

Ah, memory lane.
Great topic.
Some positions are easier than others to fill.
Enjoying reading others selections.
I would go with:

GK: Reina
LB: Riise
RB: Finnan
CB: Carra
CB: Hypia
DM: Mascherano
CM: Alonso
CM: Gerrard
LW: Sterling
RW: Suarez
ST: Torres

Bench: Mig, arbeloa, Sturidge, coutinho, kuyt, hamman, Lovren.

---------------------Reina

Finnan-----Hyypia-----Carragher------Arbeloa

------------Alonso-------------Gerrard(c)


Suarez------------------------------------Sterling
      |                                                       |
      v                                                      v
--------------Sturridge----Torres

Give you it on his goals, but was a very frustrating player imo. We're only 2 players apart in agreeing on same side so I'm sure we'd give each other a decent game. Hope you've a decent full back on yr bench for Aurelio he's bound to pick up a knock (brilliant full back, but probably most injury prone player I've know us have).

To be honest Moreno would be a shoe-in really seeing as he looks like he can defend as well as he can go forward, which means he's above Riise, but seeing as we're looking back at the last ten years I'd have Aurelio, who on his day and he doesn't break, has probably been our best left-back.

                Reina
 Arbeloa Hyypia Carra Riise
           Mascherano
       Alonso       Gerrard
              Sterling
        Torres     Suarez

When I put Torres I clearly mean Torres in his prime, not Torres the sulky little girl. Great Topic by the way.

GK - Reina

LB - Riise
CB - Carragher
CB - Hyypia
RB - Finnan

DM - Mascherano
CM - Alonso
CM - Gerrard

AM - Sterling
ST - Sturridge
ST - Suarez

I've replicated the defence Rafa had in 05/06 where there was a period where we didn't concede for 10 games late on in 2005 which I thought was an outstanding period from us.

Really? The number of important goals Little Luis scored for the Redmen, means he'd be in straight away.

                   Reina

 Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio

          Mascherano Alonso

                Gerrard
 Suarez                       Garcia
                 Torres
     

That's actually a very good team coming to think of it. I like the idea of Garcia who always scored decisive goals in some of the biggest games we have played in the past decade. Torres and Sturridge is interesting, but personally I couldn't see them being as dynamic as the SAS duo. In my opinion Torres is more instinctive than Sturridge and probably a better finisher too, but Sturridge can do so much more when it comes to providing for his team mates. The only player in your team who didn't play under Benitez is Suarez. Personally I feel we had the most devastating attack under Rodgers, so my front three would obviously be Sterling, Sturridge and Suarez.

Nice team anyway!

That aside, I thought under Benitez what we always lacked was a very potent attack. I felt our attack was undermined by the likes of Pennant, Riera, Crouch etc with the only real attackers worth getting excited about being Gerrard as an AM and Torres as our ST. Benitez was always decent when spotting talented central midfielders - Mascherano, Alonso, Sissoko.. We had the best midfield in the world

Great topic.


                                     Reina

Arbeloa         Carragher         Hyppia           Riise

                                Mascherano
             
                Gerrard                           Alonso

                                  Sterling

                  Torres                    Suarez

That has the perfect balance of defence and attack.

                     

Reina

Finnan Hyypia Carragher Riise

Mascherano

Alonso      Gerrard

Suarez                             Garcia

Torres

Reina

Arbeloa  Carra  Hyypia  Aurelio

Mascherano

Alonso       Gerrard

Kuyt         Torres         Suarez

Raheem just misses out for me but if this was a couple of years from now I'd imagine he'd be straight in.

Reina

Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise

Mascherano
Alonso
Gerrard

Sterling
Sturridge
Suarez

Defence from 05-06, midfield from 08-09 and the attack from last season. Perfect!

Great topic.


                                     Reina

Arbeloa         Carragher         Hyppia           Riise

                                Mascherano
             
                Gerrard                           Alonso

                                  Sterling

                  Torres                    Suarez

That has the perfect balance of defence and attack.

                     

I would have to agree with this. What a devastating team that would be if we had all of them together in their prime.

I love this thread, I've been lurking, I'll say my fave whole first 11 and the bench when I can fathom it all in the right way.
Firstly; I'd have Dudek instead of Reina or Mignolet.
I'm holding back here because I was pissed off Reina come in for Dudek after he was the superman in the penalty shootout (Dudek).
Houllier favored french players, Benitez favored Spanish, so because Dudek is Polish... no good? F**k that sh*t.
I may be over the top here so; no worries, no probs.

I love this thread, I've been lurking, I'll say my fave whole first 11 and the bench when I can fathom it all in the right way.
Firstly; I'd have Dudek instead of Reina or Mignolet.
I'm holding back here because I was pissed off Reina come in for Dudek after he was the superman in the penalty shootout (Dudek).
Houllier favored french players, Benitez favored Spanish, so because Dudek is Polish... no good? F**k that sh*t.
I may be over the top here so; no worries, no probs.

Your opinion Fish but as far as I'm concerned Pepe is easily in the top two keepers I've seen for the Reds while Dudek doesn't even get close.

Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Kuyt, Alonso, Gerrard, Sterling; Suarez, Torres.

I nearly put Sturridge instead of Torres there, but I would be lying to myself, because as much as I like Sturridge - and I do love him - I completely adored Torres and the impact he made when he arrived was simply amazing.

Your opinion Fish but as far as I'm concerned Pepe is easily in the top two keepers I've seen for the Reds while Dudek doesn't even get close.

In fact - srslfc you've been here, have invested a ton of effort in bad times and good you're are far wiser than me in this situation.
I'm still going to pick Dudek, but I respect your history here in this forum a 100%.
Reina is everyone's first choice, not mine.

Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Kuyt, Alonso, Gerrard, Sterling; Suarez, Torres.

I nearly put Sturridge instead of Torres there, but I would be lying to myself, because as much as I like Sturridge - and I do love him - I completely adored Torres and the impact he made when he arrived was simply amazing.

Torres was simply class when he played for us.

In fact - srslfc you've been here, have invested a ton of effort in bad times and good you're are far wiser than me in this situation.
I'm still going to pick Dudek, but I respect your history here in this forum a 100%.
Reina is everyone's first choice, not mine.

You could easily be as wise as me mate for all I know.

Just will never agree that Dudek could be ahead of Pepe in a team of the last decade.

I'd even have Mignolet ahead of Jerzy if I'm honest.

Torres was simply class when he played for us.

You could easily be as wise as me mate for all I know.

Just will never agree that Dudek could be ahead of Pepe in a team of the last decade.

I'd even have Mignolet ahead of Jerzy if I'm honest.

Cool so .. How many out of ten would you rate Dudek, David James, Westerveld, Kirkland, migs and Reina? To put it all in context for me.
Btw  this isn't a cross examination it's purely because I'm curious.

Cool so .. How many out of ten would you rate Dudek, David James, Westerveld, Kirkland, migs and Reina? To put it all in context for me.
Btw  this isn't a cross examination it's purely because I'm curious.

Pepe 10
Migs   8
Dudek 7

The others 6

Pepe 10
Migs   8
Dudek 7

The others 6

Thank you for the answer! I take this on board, I'd say Dudek 8.8 out of ten overall.. coz Reina starting letting us down badly the past couple of seasons he was here.
Miggo 8.3 so far, like him a lot.
My worry is; is if, Reina comes back he'd be 6.3.
I forgot to add my Pepe Reina score- 7.9 still like him a lot though for how loyal he was.
I'm the modifier.. Dudek helped win us the Champions league so I'll always be very fond of him.

goalkeeper:
Dudek
Right Back:
Finnan
Centre Back:
Henchoz
Centre Back:
Hyppia
Left Back:
Risse
Right Central Midfield:
Gerrard
Centre Midfield:
Hamann
Left Central Midfield:
Garcia
Right Forward:
Suarez
Centre Forward:
Torres
Left Forward
Sturridge

Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Hyypia
Aurelio
Mascherano
Alonso
Gerrard
Garcia
Suarez
Torres

Thats my team, I would have Kuyt, Finnan, Agger, Sterling, Sturridge, Hamman and Migs on bench

Thats my team, I would have Kuyt, Finnan, Agger, Sterling, Sturridge, Hamman and Migs on bench

I forgot about the bench oh dear
I'd have Kyricacos, Carra, Sterling, Alonso, Macherano and Maxi if there is one other then  ...  Benayoun.
I like our current team more than these past teams in the prem league tbh.

I forgot about the bench oh dear
I'd have Kyricacos, Carra, Sterling, Alonso, Macherano and Maxi if there is one other then  ...  Benayoun.
I like our current team more than these past teams in the prem league tbh.

Oh crap I quoted something unrelated to me, no probs, oh soz.

Reina
Johnson
Hyypia
Carragher
Moreno
Mascharano
Alonso
Gerrard
Sterling
Torres
Suarez

Reina
Johnson
Hyypia
Carragher
Moreno
Mascharano
Alonso
Gerrard
Sterling
Torres
Suarez

I like your team mate, not sure Moreno has done enough yet to warrant his place though?

I'm shocked how many people don't have Torres in

Reina; Finnan, Carra, Hyypia, Arbeloa; Masch, Alonso, Gerrard; Sterling; Suarez, Torres.

Subs: Dudek, Agger, Hamann, Hendo, Garcia, Sturridge, Kuyt.

                                  Dudek

Arbeloa         Carra                Hyypia         Riise

                                 Hamann

                   Alonso                   Gerrard

                                  Sterling

                       Suarez              Torres

Reina Agger Finnan  Macherano Kuyt Sturridge Garcia

Abit different :-) . Good topic.

Reina
Babbel (ok just about 10 yr ago!! technically I think he was finished by then ie 2004)
?Arbeloa??
?Hyypia/Carragher/Agger?/Lovren(for the future)
? see above?
Gerrard
Mascherano (with Hamann has cover)
Alonso? (maybe one of our current players will replace him)
Torres
Suarez
Sterling?/Balotelli? for the future

1st sub:Sturridge?

MANAGER - Rafa.

In the future, I think Markovich could appear here. Hopefully Balotelli and Sterling, altho I suspect Balotelli might not be around for more than 3 yrs or so.Perhaps Henderon will make it, and one or two of our current fullbacks, perhaps Sakho or Origi.

Michael Owen?Not good enough in 2004 to make 1st 11.

Interestingly, for most posters, its still largely a Rafa team. And remember Rafa's team hadn't been together for a long time.

I like your team mate, not sure Moreno has done enough yet to warrant his place though?

He doesn't really S@int which is a bit unfair on other players. JAR was a solid LB with a thunderbolt of a left foot and maybe I should have put him in. Enrique too, very good defender IMO, just doesn't quite cut the mustard going forward for me. IIRC, Arbeloa played LB, so in hindsight it would be between him and JAR. I copped out and just stuck Moreno in, and on intuition I think this lad is going to be a bit special.

  Like the topic, but lets be honest the best team we could bring up is obvious this one: 

                                                Carson

         Degen               Kyrgiakos              Josemi          Konchesky


                                                Poulsen

                             Adam                                Cheyrou

         

             Diouf                         Voronin                       Downing



Kirkland, Salif Diao, Joe Cole, Dossena, Carroll ,Cissokho, Aquilani

Manager Hodgson


Just imagine what Woy could achieve with this team! 

  Like the topic, but lets be honest the best team we could bring up is obvious this one: 

                                                Carson

         Degen               Kyrgiakos              Josemi          Konchesky


                                                Poulsen

                             Adam                                Cheyrou

         

             Diouf                         Voronin                       Downing



Kirkland, Salif Diao, Joe Cole, Dossena, Carroll ,Cissokho, Aquilani

Manager Hodgson


Just imagine what Woy could achieve with this team! 

Where is Nunez?

Where is Nunez?

Right yeah, How can I forgot  him?!

  Like the topic, but lets be honest the best team we could bring up is obvious this one: 

                                                Carson

         Degen               Kyrgiakos              Josemi          Konchesky


                                                Poulsen

                             Adam                                Cheyrou

         

             Diouf                         Voronin                       Downing



Kirkland, Salif Diao, Joe Cole, Dossena, Carroll ,Cissokho, Aquilani

Manager Hodgson


Just imagine what Woy could achieve with this team! 

This has relegation written all over it. I have let my imagination run wild. Championship quality.

Wasn't Cheyrou the 'new Zidane'  .... If only we could have paired him with Konchesky and Downing the new Roberto Carlos and Figo. Our Galacticos policy under the highly minted H&G! With Hodgson's super confident candour reducing his opposing managers to rubble.

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Sami-Riise
Hamann
Stevie-Xabi
Garcia-Torres-Suarez

Subs: Dudek, Sterling, Sturridge, Kuyt, Masch, Arbeloa, Agger. Torres was pure class when he was with us, he literally got us bouncing and the one player that produced magic when it was expected out of him for 2 years, at least

H'ble mentions to Skrtel, Aurelio, Maxi and Yossi

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Sami-Riise
Hamann
Stevie-Xabi
Garcia-Torres-Suarez

Subs: Dudek, Sterling, Sturridge, Kuyt, Masch, Arbeloa, Agger. Torres was pure class when he was with us, he literally got us bouncing and the one player that produced magic when it was expected out of him for 2 years, at least

H'ble mentions to Skrtel, Aurelio, Maxi and Yossi

sh*t, forgot about Didi!

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Sami-Riise
Hamann
Stevie-Xabi
Garcia-Torres-Suarez

Subs: Dudek, Sterling, Sturridge, Kuyt, Masch, Arbeloa, Agger. Torres was pure class when he was with us, he literally got us bouncing and the one player that produced magic when it was expected out of him for 2 years, at least

H'ble mentions to Skrtel, Aurelio, Maxi and Yossi

Always thought Garcia was overrated by our support, so I'd have Kuyt in there instead.
Apart from that, same team.

                  Reina

Finnan   Hyypia    Carra    Riise           

               Mascherano       

     Alonso                 Gerrard     

                 Suarez       

           Sturridge  Torres


This could possibly be the best team of the past decade in the PL let alone LFC. I juicd myself over this. Sterling only doesn't make it because he's only really turned it on for a year now, needs a bit longer to make the best. (the longevity rule doesn't apply to Suarez before anyone points it out)

I'll go for a 3 4 3 formation.

Dudek

Carra
Hyypia
Riise

Bellamy
Stevie G
Alonso
Garcia

Sturridge
Torres
Suarez

Subs

Pepe
Agger
Smicer
Fowler. 2nd spell
Kuyt
Sterling
Baros

:-).,

---------------------Reina

Finnan-----Hyypia-----Carragher------Arbeloa

------------Alonso-------------Gerrard(c)


Suarez------------------------------------Sterling
      |                                                       |
      v                                                      v
--------------Sturridge----Torres

Bloody hell can you just imagine that team in full flow, you'd walk the league, Champions League that is :-)

Always thought Garcia was overrated by our support, so I'd have Kuyt in there instead.
Apart from that, same team.

Luis had 30 in 118 and Kuyt had 71 in 286. So the goal ratio is almost the same. But I get your point, Kuyt was more industrious and more of a "team" player. I would still have Luis in the XI just for his finesse and technique, plus for all the important goals he scored enroute our club's trophies

                  Reina

Johnson  Agger   Carra    Riise           

                Didi  Alonso   

                  Gerrard     

       Suarez  Torres   Sturridge

           

Torres, Reina and Johnson have all regressed substantially, but they get in based on their past form.

Luis had 30 in 118 and Kuyt had 71 in 286. So the goal ratio is almost the same. But I get your point, Kuyt was more industrious and more of a "team" player. I would still have Luis in the XI just for his finesse and technique, plus for all the important goals he scored enroute our club's trophies

I had him in because of a couple of reasons;
Garcia was incredibly frustrating, and quite a lazy player at times.
I always like to balance guile (which is there in abundance without Garcia) with some graft.

  Like the topic, but lets be honest the best team we could bring up is obvious this one: 

                                                Carson

         Degen               Kyrgiakos              Josemi          Konchesky


                                                Poulsen

                             Adam                                Cheyrou

         

             Diouf                         Voronin                       Downing



Kirkland, Salif Diao, Joe Cole, Dossena, Carroll ,Cissokho, Aquilani

Manager Hodgson


Just imagine what Woy could achieve with this team! 

"The Greek" was nowhere near as bad as The Argentinian CB we had - Mauricio Pellegrino !!
Being outpaced by Alan Shearer would have been a career low point for sure?

Reina

Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Arbeloa

Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Sterling

Fowler
Suarez

Reina

Arbeloa     Carragher     Hyypia     Aurelio

Alonso

Henderson    Gerrard

Suarez          Torres          Sterling

Mignolet
Riise
Agger
Mascherano
Luis Garcia
Maxi/Kuyt
Sturridge

Manager: Brendan Rodgers.

I've left some out that I want to put in and no doubt forgotten someone, but that'd be F***ing tasty in attack. Definitely wouldn't change my first XI there.

Reina

Arbeloa     Carragher     Hyypia     Aurelio

Alonso

Henderson    Gerrard

Suarez          Torres          Sterling

Mignolet
Riise
Agger
Mascherano
Luis Garcia
Maxi/Kuyt
Sturridge

Manager: Brendan Rodgers.

I've left some out that I want to put in and no doubt forgotten someone, but that'd be F***ing tasty in attack. Definitely wouldn't change my first XI there.

No Finnan then mate?

No Finnan then mate?

I would have Masch over Henderson. The reason we were so good in Europe and at home was Alonso, Masch and Stevie I mean that is world class. I chose Arbeloa over finnan. It was difficult but I think Arbeloa was probably better 1 v 1. A real defender whereas finnan was better as a thinker. Difficult choice although

                            Reina

Finnan     Carragher       Hyypia        Arbeloa

                  Alonso        Hamann

      Suarez          Gerrard          Garcia/Sterling

                     Torres/Sturridge


Not sure I can make the call on Sturridge and Sterling just yet.
Think they might just edge out Garcia and Torres eventually.
Sterling probably already has.

I did say I left some out I wanted to put in, lads Arbeloa shades Finnan because he played better since 2004.

Hendo and Stevie together when Stevie was at his supreme best, with Alonso doing the role he is doing now would be just wow. Perfect midfield for Brendan I think.

I would have Masch over Henderson. The reason we were so good in Europe and at home was Alonso, Masch and Stevie I mean that is world class. I chose Arbeloa over finnan. It was difficult but I think Arbeloa was probably better 1 v 1. A real defender whereas finnan was better as a thinker. Difficult choice although

Agree with Masch over Hendo. Wasn't Arbeloa left back and Finnan right back though?

Have a feeling people are avoiding Johnson due to his form over the past few seasons, but he was decent in his early days.

                            Reina

Finnan     Carragher       Hyypia        Arbeloa

                  Alonso        Hamann

      Suarez          Gerrard          Garcia/Sterling

                     Torres/Sturridge


Not sure I can make the call on Sturridge and Sterling just yet.
Think they might just edge out Garcia and Torres eventually.
Sterling probably already has.

Love that line up Racer.

GK: Reina
LB: Riise
RB: Finnan
CB: Agger
CB: Hypia
M: Hamman
M: Alonso
M: Gerrard
ST: Sterling
ST: Suarez
ST: Torres