Telling stats there, Al.
I posted this in the defensive line thead, but I'll put it in here aswell.
Like I said during the game, it's quite possible that a defence without Carragher in it plays with a lot more confidence, purely because it's probably nice for them to not be shouted and screamed at for 90+ minutes and blamed for everything that goes wrong. It's all Carra does all game long - point, shout, scream, point some more, scream, shout, hoof, scream, point, and then blame the nearest person to him when there's a mistake made, even when he's just as at fault.
I'm not dismissing his contribution to the defence or how good a defender he is and has been, I'm just saying that both Skrtel and particularly Agger played with a smile on their faces today. They looked really comfortable with each other. Agger coming forward at will, Skrtel staying back, and the two of them just communicating and getting on with it. I can't remember a single instance during the game where either of them were screaming at each other to do something, they just did it.
Not to mention how much longer that ball stays on the floor and is actually moved from the defence rather than hoisted. Sure, there were a couple of occasions where it was necessary to smash it out but overall it was very much a case of bringing it out and keeping it at the feet, rather than giving it to Carra to do his 'tap...tap...hoof' routine, which is done religiously for some reason. Agger can bring that ball out really well, can get forward, can link the midfield, and looks very very comfortable doing all those things. I can't help feeling that Carra stops him from doing it as often when they're on the same pitch.
I don't think it's the end for Carragher, nor should it be, but fuck me he has little claim to just walk back in to the side when he's fit again. The fact that we almost know he will is really depressing, because we have some players here who I think deserve the chance to form a better partnership. Our central positions have never been great, not sice Hyypia left, and surely someone has to see that it could very well be because of Carragher and not always the fault of whomever he's partnered with?
If he doesn't play against Swansea and we keep a clean sheet then I see no reason why it shouldn't be Agger and Skrtel for the forseeable future. Allow them to grow that partnership and see where it takes us. Gerrard being out injured doesn't help them though, as I think Kenny will sacrifice any stability back there just to have a 'leader' out on the pitch in Carra, which is a shame.
