Topic: Liverpool's best 11 from the 3 most recent runners up teams.

[Jookie]

Would McManaman and Fowler from the 97 team make it in? while that team didn't finished second; until last seasons title challenge you could argue that was our best chance to win it; remember back then it didn't take a great team to win it United won it that year with just 75 points. The next three teams including us finished on 68 points separated by goal difference.

Fowler would maybe make the 1st XI. In my team I picked Sturridge up front with Suarez and Torres. Now I think Fowler, and Owen, wer better than Sturridge (so far). However, in my formation I seen them both competing with Torres for the central striker position.I personally wouldn't select him since I think Torres at was a better striker at his peak. He may not have scored as many as Fowler but I think Torres was operating in a much tougher domestic competition than Fowler.

McManaman would get on the bench but would be nowhere near the 1st XI. Played his best football in a free role or behind the striker. Wasn't very good when stuck on the wing. We've had better players (i.e. Gerrard) who can play behind the striker or in a free role. Out wide he'd be competing with the likes of Kuyt, Benayoun, Berger for a place on the bench.

[Packalacky]

                 Reina

Arbeloa Hyypia Carragher Aurelio

       Alonso     Mascherano

                Gerrard
Kuyt                            Suarez
                 Torres

[Captain Caveman]

Was going to do a team and then saw it was the same as above. So same team as above.

Sturridge in for Kuyt against lesser teams, Kuyt if we're playing top class opponents.

[Big Joe]

Great topic. With a fit Babbel in the squad, I'd do:

Reina
Babbel // Carragher // Hyypia // Aurélio
Alonso // Mascherano // Gerrard
Sturridge // Torres // Suarez
               

Subs:
Dudek
Arbeloa
Dan Agger
Riise
Lucas
Jari
Yossi
Sterling
Owen

Methinks I could win the league managing this team. Otherwise, I'd go for Rafa...

Who would you guys shout for manager?

[alfonso]

Would McManaman and Fowler from the 97 team make it in? while that team didn't finished second; until last seasons title challenge you could argue that was our best chance to win it; remember back then it didn't take a great team to win it United won it that year with just 75 points. The next three teams including us finished on 68 points separated by goal difference.

Fowler actually played in the 02 team, but not enough games so I didn't include him. But a fully fit at his peak Fowler for me would replace Torres and play alongside Suarez.

[Circa1892]

Reina gets the nod in goal - at his best no keeper we've had in the last 25 years comes close.
Arbeloa is the best right back, but it's hardly the area that's screaming out strength…
Hyypia and Carragher walk in at centre back (the 01-02 Hyypia…), Agger's not far off though.
Aurelio nips in at left back, but like Arbeloa he's the best available rather than someone who demands selection…
Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard walk in there in midfield.
Suarez, Torres and Owen make up the front three. Fuck me we'd score a bucketload…
Loads of class on the bench.

Alternately, lets go with this:
Mignolet
Dossena, Skrtel, Toure, Cissokho
Moses Murphy Riera Babel
Keane Heskey
All of whom were so close to a title medal….

[Mamadou]

                      Itandje
Johnson Kyrgiakos Lovren Konchesky
                   Poulsen
 Pennant.                     J.Cole

        Keane  Carroll  Voronin
                 

[rickardinho1]

                  Reina
       Babbel     Carra    Hyppia   Riise
             Hamann  Mascherano
                        Alonso
        Gerrard                    Suarez
                       Torres

1)I don't think any team can go through that midfield.
2)I always preferred Gerrard behind the striker or on the right.
3)I don't think any team can keep out torres (in his prime) or suarez.

This team would win pretty much all the club trophies...

Solid midfield but they are all deep-lying mids, and Alonso is better deeper in particular. That leaves us quite exposed down the flanks.

I like the idea though, but can only see it working in a diamond (or 4312) with Gerrard, Torres, Suarez all central. Greater emphasis on providing width from fullbacks too

                Masch
       Hamann  Alonso
              Gerrard
        Suarez  Torres

[Circa1892]

Worst thing about this thread is when you look at the following seasons changes...

02/03 - Out: Anelka and Litmanen, In: Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou.
09/10 - Out: Hyypia, Alonso and Arbeloa. In: Johnson, Kyriagokis, Aquilani
14/15 - Out: Suarez, Agger. In: Where to begin...

[Adeemo]

Worst thing about this thread is when you look at the following seasons changes...

02/03 - Out: Anelka and Litmanen, In: Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou.
09/10 - Out: Hyypia, Alonso and Arbeloa. In: Johnson, Kyriagokis, Aquilani
14/15 - Out: Suarez, Agger. In: Where to begin...

You can only laugh.

[SerbianScouser]

Worst thing about this thread is when you look at the following seasons changes...

02/03 - Out: Anelka and Litmanen, In: Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou.
09/10 - Out: Hyypia, Alonso and Arbeloa. In: Johnson, Kyriagokis, Aquilani
14/15 - Out: Suarez, Agger. In: Where to begin...

I said it before I`ll say it again we are a cursed club. Only we can manage the drop-off in performances compared to the last season we are witnessing - the drop-off of epic proportions.

[Flon]

Reina

Carragher     Hyypia     Agger

Gerrard     Masch     Alonso     Aurelio

Sturridge     Torres     Suarez

[rickardinho1]

Reina

Carragher     Hyypia     Agger

Gerrard     Masch     Alonso     Aurelio

Sturridge     Torres     Suarez

haha, nice creativity, not bad!

I'm sure that would naturally be skewed towards something like this though:

Carragher Hyypia Agger Aurelio
            Masch Alonso
             Gerrard
      Sturridge   Suarez
             Torres

The 'ol 42121

[rickardinho1]

Worst thing about this thread is when you look at the following seasons changes...

02/03 - Out: Anelka and Litmanen, In: Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou.
09/10 - Out: Hyypia, Alonso and Arbeloa. In: Johnson, Kyriagokis, Aquilani
14/15 - Out: Suarez, Agger. In: Where to begin...

To be fair, in 2002/03 Houllier's health contributed to none of those new signings working out, and in 2009 there were financial reasons due to the shite owners. No excuses for the last one though

[gray19lfc]

Torres
Sturridge Suarez

Alonso Gerrard
Mascherano

Riise Hyypia Carragher Arbeloa

Reina

[Circa1892]

To be fair, in 2002/03 Houllier's health contributed to none of those new signings working out

Also the fact they were all shit.