GK -
Reina - bit of a difficult one this because while I feel Pepe is the best keeper we've had in my lifetime, during the early years of this decade was when his form slumped a little, especially after Rafa's departure. But I went for him because as good as Alisson has been, I still always feel a mistake is just around the corner with him.
RB -
Alexander-Arnold - relatively easy this choice, despite me being a huge fan of Clyne when he first arrived. Trent has nailed down the right back position for as long as he wants it right now. Incredible talent. People say he's a bit iffy defensively but when you see him with his defensive head on, like that night in the European Cup against Sane or his first Premier League start at Old Trafford, you can tell what a quality defender he is.
CB -
Gomez - another difficult choice because we've had so many solid choices there to play alongside the guaranteed Van Dijk. It's difficult to leave somebody like Carragher out, who wasn't everybody's cup of tea and didn't have a great "decade" but his performances previously would give him reason to be picked. Skrtel, Agger, Matip and even Lovren could all make claim for the other centre half spot but I've plumped for Joey because for a young kid to come into the League the way he did and perform to the level he did before the injury last year was unbelievable. He and Van Dijk were arguably the best partnership in world football at the time. And now he's got the shirt back after waiting his turn, he's looking like he's gonna make the most of it again.
CB -
Van Dijk - it's a no brainer really isn't it? The man is just everything you'd want your centre half to be. People said one man couldn't transform Liverpool's defensive problems and maybe Virg hasn't done it alone but F**k me he's guided the rest of that back four through and helped them reach the level they are now in a way no other person could of. A lot of players crumble under a huge transfer fee, the big Dutchman seems to have relished in his.
LB -
Robertson - again a no brainer. And I think I'd go as far as saying that Robbo is our greatest ever left back. Might not have the title of two European Cup winning goals on his CV but he's just boss. Up and down the flank all game. Assist after assist after assist. In typical Scottish fashion, he gets stuck in as well. It's a long-standing rule that Liverpool are better when we have a Jock in our team and Robbo is no different. At eight million from a relegated side like Hull, he may not only get into the Team of the Decade but may well be the Signing of the Decade as well.
RW -
Salah - for the third straight pick, it's a no brainer. How can you not have this man our Team of the Decade. His record speak for themselves. Eyebrows were raised when he was bought because of his "failed" time at Chelsea but since he's come to Anfield, it looks more like Chelsea failed him rather than the other way round. Breathtaking brilliance since the day he joined. More goals than either Suarez or Torres. Plays with a smile on his face. Looks exactly like Chrissy out of Boys From The Blackstuff. Even has his picture up in a local chippy. He's the 80s Scouser in the 21st Century. Another fantastic signing.
CM -
Henderson - the only player in the squad to have been in the first team from the start of the decade to the end of it. No matter what sh*t is thrown at him, he always performs. No matter who the manager is, he's always selected. No matter what the occasion is, he always rises to it. And now he's getting the rewards for all that hard work. Every team needs their unsung heroes and ours is most certainly Jordan Henderson. Could become the first non-Scouse Englishman to earn a testimonial at Liverpool for a very long time. I'm not sure who the last person to fit that bill would be - John Barnes maybe?
CM -
Gerrard - he may of been past his best during this decade but even a past it Steven Gerrard gets into my team every time. The greatest player I've seen. Could do everything and more often than not, did do everything. If he only played one game in this decade, he'd of still got in. It was a pleasure and an honour to see him perform week in week out for our club. And, as he showed in the nearly season under Rodgers, if he has players around him who can run then he can still run the show.
CM -
Wijnaldum - I deliberated who the third central midfielder should be for some time because, a bit like the centre half position, we've had a couple of people who are deserving of a mention. Coutinho, Milner, Lucas, some would say Fabinho. But I ended up going for Gini for all round play. Like Hendo, he's very much the unsung hero of the team. (although his name gets sung quite a lot from the crowd.) Nothing fancy, nothing flashy, but a solid, consistent performer. Relentless work ethic. Never hear him in the press for any wrong reasons. And, again like Hendo, he is always picked for the biggest occasions whenever he's available.
LW -
Mane - I hated him before we bought him because he broke my hero's record of the fastest hat-trick in the Premier League. And he weren't at Liverpool when he done it. But he's done everything to win me round. Has went from right wing to left wing without any problem. And has now got his name in the conversation as the best player in the world. There weren't too many choices for left wing other than maybe playing somebody out of position but even if there were a few honorable mentions, Sadio has performed at such a level that he's easily in our Team of the Decade and probably right about now, in our Team of the Premier League as well.
CF -
Suarez - he was a c**t when he was here, he's been a bigger c**t to us since he left but while he was here, he was F***ing unplayable at times. And for me, a better player and, more importantly, goalscorer than Bobby. His work ethic would probably suit our style now, though his individual play probably wouldn't suit us as well as Bobby's lack of selfishness. But while Bobby is very much part of the team, Suarez was, almost, single handedly
the team during his time here. A player of such quality that I hadn't seen at Anfield before. I was just in awe watching him.
Reina
Alexander-Arnold Gomez Van Dijk Robertson
Henderson Gerrard Wijnaldum
Salah Suarez Mane