I like to put teams into like-for-like formations and look at the matchups - so either 4-2-4 or 3-4-3 (the two most symmetrical formations)
So:
Hughes vs. HoughtonTough one. Both hard-working, both full of energy, both capable of a goal, both played for the team, both never gave up. This match-up is a draw
Thompson vs. AldridgeThompson was a leggy, quick, lanky, stringy, no-quarter-given, can play the ball a bit, defender. Aldridge was a goal machine (except for the Republic), never stopped running, put his head where it hurt, and had a great and natural knack for scoring in league football. I'd give this one - slightly, to El Zorro
Hansen 78 vs BeardsleyHansen 78 was classy, athletic, calm, composed and patient as a defender. But he was also raw. Beardsley in 88 was simply magnificent, the English Bergkamp before Bergkamp was a thing in England. As beautiful on the ball as he was ugly in the face. I'd shade this one to Beardsley
Neal vs BarnesNo contest. Even in the early 80s, Barnes was terrifying defenders up and down the land for Watford. The 88 Barnes was pure magic in tight shorts. Neal was a great runner, great set-piece player, and quite intelligent, but Barnes would twist him inside out if it came down to it. Barnes gets this one
Souness vs WhelanSouness - the epitome of the "iron fist in a velvet glove". Combative, fearless, never-say-die, silky with the ball, as likely to thump an opposition player as he was to thump the ball in the net. We just didn't lose when Souness didn't want us to lose. Whelan - ferocious, technical, athletic, stuck to his task, and was just quality. But he was no Souness. Souness scares the shit out of Whelan, and wins this match-up
McDermott vs McMahonMcMahon - that backheel, that mullet, that sub-Souness snarl. He made it all work, I think, for the 88 team. But he got snapped like a twig by Vinnie Jones in the 88 Cup Final, and we lost the midfield from then on. McDermott was a permed assassin. He looked like the third, handsome Chuckle Brother, but he could play, he could fight, and he could grow hair on his head. McDermott wins this one
Kennedy vs NicolNicol, the rampaging fullback, solid, unspectacular, like a more polite version of Tommy Smith (as in, he could hit a player, but he was surprisingly good with the ball). An obstacle for any wide player. But Kennedy was magic. A left foot that could cut a diamond, positional sense that signified a keen mind with a deep knowledge of the game, and all of this while (unknowingly) beginning to feel the onset of a horrible disease. It would be tight, but Kennedy would be too smart for Nicol
Dalglish vs Hansen 88Hansen 88 was the Scottish Beckenbauer. Never a dirty pair of shorts after a game. In fact, his shorts probably ended the game cleaner than when they started. The defensive lynchpin against which all Liverpool lynchpins should be measured (yes, that includes Hyppia). But he's up against Dalglish. The King. The best player I've ever seen while he was active in terms of intelligence (I didn't see Cruyff play until much later, when he'd retired. But that's the level we're talking about). His footballing brain was there for all to see. Hansen 88 was good, but Kenny was GREAT. Dalglish for this one
Fairclough vs LawrensonSuper-sub. But that's all he should have ever been. Game, hard-working, scorer of a legendary goal. But Lawrenson was cut from the same cloth as Hansen, and could marshal a back line by himself. Lawrenson for this one.
Case vs GillespieCase - possibly the only player Tommy Smith was afraid of. The Ernie Wise to Tommy's Eric Morecambe. They apparently used to use a ploy where Smith would shout to Case to send the winger down the outside so that he (Smith) could kick him over the stand. They'd laugh about it afterwards. Hard as nails. But could play real good. Gillespie - deceptively tough, silky like the rest of his defenders, and scorer of THAT hat trick. A great servant, like Case. This one is a draw
Tie-breaker:
Clemence vs GrobbelaarSo with 4 wins for the 88 side, and 4 for the 78 side, plus two draws, it comes down to the keepers to break the tie. Clemence - hard to score against, tall, successful, good distribution, gave a sense of security at the back. Grobbelaar - crazy, acrobatic, prone to a brainfart, suspicion of backhanders. It's hard to separate them, but Clemence was the more reliable, and probably the safer pair of hands over a campaign. Tie breaker goes to Clemence.
So for me, it's close, but the 78 team (as outlined above) probably just shades it. But only just. It would be a great game to watch if those teams could ever play in some weird alternate universe. There'd probably be loads of fights on the pitch in the midfield as well
