Liverpool FC Forum

by **7_Kewell** » Sat May 09, 2009 8:54 pm

Ok, this probably won’t be a popular thing to come out and say, but this season I’ve started to wonder if Carragher is really our best CB anymore. His pace has all but left him and his distribution is getting worse.

Sure, he is still commanding in the box and can read the game, but he’s becoming a liability at times and i’m wondering if Rafa should not at least have a few games with Agger and Skrtel at the back to at least give Carra a rest. After all, he does play every min of every match and i’m sure that this doesn’t help as he gets older.

Hopefully this post doesn’t just attract a load of abuse, but i honestly think Carra has been rather average for a couple of seasons now and his time with us may have peaked.

*runs off to hide*

by **Zidane** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:04 pm

I've thought this all season, I didn't think he'd fall off like he has and maybe it is just this season but he has been in bad form for the majority of the season. Hopefully next year he comes back strong but I agree that this year has been a bad one for him imo.

by **Greavesie** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:06 pm

I've been thinking that and suggested in the centre backs thread that I'd like to see Agger and Skrtel as our partnership as soon as but this would involve dropping Carra. I reckon once I see those two in a few games Carra will regain my confidence. What Carra does in organising the back four will be seen then I reckon. I think whole defence has been a bit lapse as of late (less recently) and think he should be dropped for bit just to see how we get on. Not at this stage in the season tho as its a BIG risk and will not go down well for Rafa if it's a game that we don't win

by **JC_81** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:08 pm

Have said it before that I believe Carra's best days are probably behind him. His performance levels started to drop early last season imo and he isn't the same player we had for Benitez's first three seasons in charge. He has certainly lost that yard of pace but also in his defence, not having a regular centre half partner has got to take away from his performances too. Let's not forget also that he has played games at right back and has had to shift between left sided and right sided centre back regularly depending on who he is paired with - it again doesn't help with consistency.

That said, I still believe he's the second best centre back we have (the best being Hyypia who, although probably not able to play every week, has been underused this season imo). Carra's still a better defender than Skrtel or Agger by some distance imo and we'd be foolish to drop him. He's also a great organiser and a leader.

Basically, he's not finished yet, but we need to settle on a regular partner for him to get the best out of him again.

by **DrPepe** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:10 pm

watch the 2005 CL final then think about his form the last 2 seasons - a bit sad to be honest

imo he's passed his peak

by **Gerrard30391** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:20 pm

Im not too sure we can grumble about any of our backline with +46 goal difference.

by **Reg** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:20 pm

I think its pretty obvious he's passed his peak but like Sami 2-3 years back, his experience is still a great influence. Also its the end of the season and the lads played in every game so he's knacked.

by **roberto green** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:24 pm

I agree totally,I said it a few weeks ago when Drogba and Arshavin were all over him.I think a top centre back may well be on Rafa's wish list.

by **Ace Ventura** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:28 pm

Think he is just tired tbh, he has beenmaking mistakes this season but he is now into his 30's and is playing every game.
He will be back next season stronger than ever, i just think he needs a break.

I also cant see how anyone could even consider Skyrtl in the same league, i really think that he is our weakest defender and he looks dodgy even in a system where we have 2 holding midfielders and the rest of the team tracking back.

I also think what people dont realise is that with him being played as a partner to either Agger or Skyrtl - he is being made to switch from right to left in the partnership and expected to switch without any problems.

I agree that he has been well below his best, but i think once he has a break and if he played with Agger as his settled partner next season then we will see him back to his best - or still close to it.

Dont write him off.

by **destro** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:40 pm

What Deffender hasnt made a mistake, he sets such a high level that any thing less than his usual 100% is going to be noticed, he is still the one most likely to make that last ditch tackle or throw his body in the way of a shot and he has been bombing forward a lot more than usual, and all this with out a rest through injury or fatigue even though he must have played every game ?

Sell him and buy Titus Bramble :;):

by **Bad Bob** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:54 pm

I'm with John, Ace and Destro here...he's shown a bit of an indication that he's past his peak but he's still comfortably one of our best defenders and is not someone that needs shifting just yet. I think Carra looks much more comfortable playing with Agger than Skrtel and that's because I think he trusts Agger more as a defender. As others have said though, he's played virtually every minute of our season to date and is bound to show a bit of physical and mental fatigue on occasion. Honestly, though, I'm not worried about Carra.

by **Kharhaz** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:55 pm

Ace Ventura wrote:Think he is just tired tbh, he has beenmaking mistakes this season but he is now into his 30's and is playing every game.
He will be back next season stronger than ever, i just think he needs a break.

I also cant see how anyone could even consider Skyrtl in the same league, i really think that he is our weakest defender and he looks dodgy even in a system where we have 2 holding midfielders and the rest of the team tracking back.

I also think what people dont realise is that with him being played as a partner to either Agger or Skyrtl - he is being made to switch from right to left in the partnership and expected to switch without any problems.

I agree that he has been well below his best, but i think once he has a break and if he played with Agger as his settled partner next season then we will see him back to his best - or still close to it.

Dont write him off.

I think also that tiredness is playing a part. I said something at the start of the season about our key players being injured especially carra or reina. And as has been pointed out, carra has played almost every game this season. He is vital to the team, this much even rafa recognises, but you have to take into account, no matter how much he wants to play every game, he is one who also deserves a break now and then. Even if it is forced on him to take one !

by **burjennio** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:00 pm

so he made 1 mistake today and now we have thread opened claiming that his career is over. What a miserable bunch of c*nts!

In all honesty hes looking a little tired to me, Im sure the summer break will do him a world of good

by **JoeTerp** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:13 pm

imagine how much more worn out he would be if he was still playing for England.

by **NANNY RED** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:14 pm

Bad Bob wrote: Honestly, though, I'm not worried about Carra.

Niether am i , The lads played tirelessly for us nothing a holiday wont fix, Look at towards the end of the game when it went out for a throw in to them, chased it all the way an when he didnt get the decision was ranting an raving, Hed still start in my team next season, :nod

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