Watching highlights of Premier League matches on TV is a convenient and useful time-saving tool, because it allows us to gain a snapshot of the ebb and flow of a game and a brief opportunity to witness the main incidents, goals and talking points.
Nevertheless, this short, staccato-like viewing schedule has given birth and rise to the type of player that only really looks good during these sorts of small spells, a Match of the Day player if you will, who when seen live and in the flesh, is not only wasteful and inconsistent, but bordering on the woeful at times. With that in mind, here are our top 10 players that only look good when perused through the narrow spectrum of your own living room and the odd five-minute showing.
Click on Brian Ruiz to unveil the top 10
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Joe Hart’s position as England’s first-choice goalkeeper has rarely been up for debate until now.
Failing to impress Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has ultimately led to suggestions that he could be dropped for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
After spending last season on loan at Torino, Hart moved to West Ham United on another temporary deal, but he has struggled to come out on top while jostling for a place with Adrian.
On Friday night, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played in an international friendly against the Netherlands, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Three Lions.
Most-capped England international of all time Peter Shilton believes that Pickford is likely to take the number one role in Russia, despite having made just two appearances for his country.
The 68-year-old has praised the stopper’s confidence, but has picked some holes in his performance against the Netherlands.
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In a piece for the Daily Mail, Shilton wrote:
“Jordan Pickford has given Gareth Southgate plenty to think about for the opening World Cup match against Tunisia. This was only his second international but he oozes confidence, which immediately transmits to the defenders in front of him.
“Overall I was impressed by Pickford’s confidence — so important in a goalkeeper — and especially with his command around his area. He seems comfortable with the ball at his feet, which has become so important in the modern game, and his distribution was excellent. There were mistakes and a couple of moments of uncertainty, especially when the Dutch came on to us more strongly in the second half.
“There was a moment of weakness in the first half at a corner, when he came for a cross that he wasn’t going to get. His starting position was wrong — too far from his line — and mistakes like that can be costly. You need to be aware of exactly where you are to make those judgment calls.”
Unsurprisingly, Everton fans are keen for Pickford to get the nod.
In arguably the pick of the Premier League’s mid-week action, Tottenham’s visit to Liverpool sees the division’s two most in-form sides face off at 8pm this evening.
The Lilywhites boast 13 points from their last six league encounters, but the Reds have gone one better with 14 and are currently the only English side to go without defeat in the top flight since the turn of 2015.
Home advantage plays to the Anfield outfit’s favour too, but Spurs are currently four points and two places higher in the Premier League table.
So who goes into tonight’s fixture as the favourites, if there’s one at all? Perhaps these FIVE key individual battles can shed some light on the issue.
HARRY KANE VS LIVERPOOL
To label Tottenham a one-man team would be paying a huge disservice to the rest of their squad, not to mention the excellent team ethic Mauricio Pochettino has installed since taking the White Hart Lane hot seat in the summer.
Yet, there’s no question who the talk of north London is at the moment – Harry ‘Hurrikane’, ‘Kane of the Lane’ ‘he’s one of our own’ Kane, who boasts more goals for the season than any other Premier League player with a monolithic 22, including eight goals (and two assists) in his last nine top flight outings.
Indeed, it seems the 21 year-old just can’t stop scoring at the moment; if a Jan Vertonghen 50 yard piledriver hit him square in the face and knocked him unconscious this evening, the ball would still likely trickle into Simon Mignolet’s net.
Boasting an impressive all-round game and the miraculous ability to convert an incredible variety of chances, as his expertly angled header against Arsenal last weekend paid specific homage to, the duty of nullifying Kane’s goal threat can’t fall to one player or even a single department – the whole of Liverpool’s starting Xi must be wary of the England U21’s abilities in the final third and react accordingly.
In addition to his superfluous form and endless supply of goals, the 6 foot 2 forward has averaged one tackle per match in the Premier League this season, so Liverpool’s defence – who like to play out of the back as much as possible – should expect Kane pressure them in possession for the whole ninety minutes – something the eternally-unconvincing-on-the-ball Mamadou Sakho should particularly bear in mind.
DANIEL STURRIDGE VS JAN VERTONGHEN
Liverpool are slowly nursing Daniel Sturridge back to full health after a lengthy injury layoff, spanning from the Reds’ 3-0 win over Spurs in August to mid-January, but with Raheem Sterling set to miss tonight’s game due to a foot injury, it’s likely Brendan Rodgers will thrust the England striker back into the starting Xi, ahead of misfiring threesome Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini.
After electing Eric Dier over Federico Fazio against Arsenal at the weekend, despite the latter’s impressive form since moving to White Hart Lane in the summer, it remains to be seen who Mauricio Pochettino will opt for as Jan Vertonghen’s centre-back partner to face the Reds this evening.
In terms of eradicating the prolific goalscoring threat Sturridge offers however, now boasting 33 goals in just 47 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, the Belgium international must take specific responsibility.
Unlike Fazio and Dier, Vertonghen possesses the pace to cope with the Reds forward and will resultantly need to protect his partner from potential one-on-one situations. Sturridge also likes to drift from the right to shoot with his powerful and accurate left foot, which falls into Vertonghen’s remit once again.
That being said, Sturridge is near unstoppable when in top form – so the Lilywhites will be hoping that he’s still not fully recovered from his continuous injury problems.
ALBERTO MORENO VS KYLE WALKER
Alberto Moreno wreaked absolute havoc at White Hart Lane earlier in the season, driving from left-back to score the incredible solo goal above, and will be hoping for a repeat performance this evening.
The Spain international’s role has changed somewhat since however, moved up the field slightly from an attacking-minded full-back to a borderline left winger, as a defining characteristic of Liverpool’s exotic 3-4-2-1 formation which has produced a considerable upturn in form.
That puts him directly up against Kyle Walker, who has settled back into Tottenham’s starting Xi fairly well since first returning from a long-term injury in mid-December, since averaging an impressive 2.8 tackles, 2.8 interceptions and one successful dribble per match.
The England international will be keen to contribute going forward but so will Moreno, so this key battle is delicately poised upon who balances out their offensive and defensive duties the best, and who takes advantage of the others’ failure to track back.
STEVEN GERRARD VS CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
Lucas Leiva’s recent injury is a huge blow to Liverpool’s ambitions this season. Not only has the Brazilian produced some stellar performances since his reintroduction into Liverpool’s starting Xi in December, averaging an incredible 4.1 tackles per match in the Premier League, but he’s also a fairly unique member of the Reds roster in terms of the kind of service he provides, offering an unrivalled sense of tenacity, energy and defensive awareness in the middle of the park.
It’s an almighty loss for this evening’s fixture particularly, with Liverpool coming up against one of the Premier League’s most in-form No.10s in Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, who boasts nine goals and one assist in 24 league outings this term.
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Also creating 2.5 chances per match this season, the most of any Spurs player by quite some distance, the Danish prodigy is a focal point of his side’s attacking play and nullifying him is essential to stopping Tottenham getting up the field.
In Leiva’s absence, logic suggests the role of anchoring Liverpool’s midfield will go to their captain Steven Gerrard – although Joe Allen, a revised role for Emre Can or even the introduction of academy product Jordan Rossiter remain viable alternatives. He’s been used in more offensive capacities recently but the Anfield icon’s credentials as a defensive midfielder remain undoubted.
That being said, Eriksen’s elusive playmaking style and his agile mobility could leave Gerrard unstuck. Most imperative however is that the England centurion stays switched on for the whole 90 minutes when marking the 22 year-old; he’s scored an incredible late winners already this term, coming in the 88th minute or after, and appears to be developing a real knack for them.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO VS NABIL BENTALEB
In a similar style to Christian Eriksen, Philippe Coutinho is the creative presence keeping Liverpool’s midfield ticking over and connected to the front-line.
The Brazilian struggled earlier in the campaign but has bounced back in recent weeks – particularly since he’s begun to be utilised more centrally by Brendan Rodgers – bagging one goal, four assists and three Man of the Match awards in his last nine Premier League outings. In that time, Coutinho has rediscovered arguably his defining gift as a footballer; those killer passes to Liverpool’s pacey strikers.
The duty of stopping him will predominantly fall to Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb, a bit of an unsung hero when considering the nationwide praise Eriksen and Kane have received this term. He’s keeping the likes of Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Moussa Dembele out of the side on merit, with impressive averages of 2.2 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per match this term, in addition to a pass completion rate of 87%.
He and Ryan Mason have struck up quite the understanding together in central midfield, so Coutinho will have to run rings around both of them to create chances regularly this evening.
Manchester City and Chelsea target Radamel Falcao has refused to rule out a move to Italy, with Juventus and Milan both an attraction to him.
The Columbian international has become the most sought after striker in the world, following a prolific time at Atletico Madrid since his arrival from Porto in August 2011.
A number of Europe’s elite are monitoring him including Premier League giants Manchester City and Chelsea, but the striker hasn’t ruled out playing in Italy.
“I cannot rule out a future in Italy. Juve or Milan? I have a favourite club, but I prefer not to say,” he is quoted by the Independent as saying.
Wherever he ends up going, he won’t come cheap with Atletico only willing to sell him if a club can match his buyout clause of £48million.
However, his average of almost a goal a game in hugely successful spells at Porto and Atletico Madrid suggest that the 26-year-old would be worth the money.
Chelsea seemed favourites to sign him at one point but have since recruited Demba Ba, in a period of time in which Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has been reported as being interested in bringing the likes of Falcao or Napoli’s Edinson Cavani to the Etihad.
A move away from Spain seems likely for Falcao in the summer, with him often discussing in the press how he would relish playing in the Premier League, but also being reported as saying he wants to remain loyal to Atletico for at least the remainder of the current season.
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Mark Hughes is preparing for his first Premier League game in charge of Southampton, one of the clubs he represented in his playing days, and it is their biggest game of the season so far.
He will take the Saints to face West Ham, who themselves are still reeling from the unsavoury scenes that marred their last match, the 3-0 home defeat to Burnley in a match that will go a long way to determining who will survive and spend another season in the top flight next time around.
It is 17th v 18th, with the Hammers two points and a place above their visitors, who enjoyed the “new manager bounce” already by qualifying for the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend with a hard-fought victory over League One side Wigan.
Hughes would love to go to the London Stadium with a full complement of players at his disposal but he might not have that luxury.
Steven Davis and Ryan Bertrand are doubtful for the match, having pulled out of their respective international squads but Charlie Austin could be fit to make a return.
Read on for the latest on the trio, who could make a huge difference to Hughes’ survival bid, as per Premier Injuries…
When was Davis injured?: The Northern Irishman pulled out of the national squad this week with a hamstring injury, which has also kept him out of the Saints’ past five games.
Potential return date: 31/03/18
What the manager said: On 22 March, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said: “It’s been a wee bit tricky. Davo (Davis) is out. We have to be careful with the players given the time of year it is and the nature of the game.”
Has he been missed?: Davis is a player who does not always catch the eye but his reliable work rate and technique is something that has been missing in a dour Saints side who were sinking without a trace before Mauricio Pellegrino was sacked. Hughes will want him back in contention as soon as possible and will be grateful that O’Neill has been sensible with him.
When was Bertrand injured?: Bertrand was called up to the England squad for the final friendlies before the World Cup final 23 is announced but had to withdraw due to a lower back injury.
Potential return date: 31/03/18
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Has he been missed?: Bertrand has fallen slightly short of his usual levels this season, but he is still one of Southampton’s key men. He is one of three players in a fight for the two left-back spots in the Three Lions squad for Russia – alongside Ashley Young and Danny Rose – and will be giving his all between now and the end of the season to make the cut. That can only benefit the Saints.
When was Austin injured?: He picked up a hamstring injury during December’s 1-1 draw with Hudderfield.
What the manager said: On 16 March, Hughes said: “We’ve got a chance of integrating him for short periods next week. With a bit of luck, if we can get him ready for West Ham.”
Has he been missed?: In a word, yes. Southampton have struggled badly for goals – if they are relegated this season, their shotshy attack is will be the reason and Austin tends to bang them in when he’s fit. He can count himself as a proven Premier League goalscorer now and his injury came just as he was starting to show signs of his best form.
Throughout the summer, Louis van Gaal has put a number of Bundesliga stars at the top of his transfer wishlist and could once again plan a few more January signings in the upcoming window.
Primary Manchester United are in need of a centre-back, a right-back, and possibly another holding midfield as their manager could even consider keeping a close eye on another potential striker as well.
So, here are five mega Bundesliga stars United should sign in January if they are to maintain their goal of finishing in the top four, if not aiming to win the entire league.
Ilkay Gundogan
Name: Ilkay Gundogan
Age: 23
Position: Centre Midfield
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £20 – £25 million
Ilkay Gundogan has been a target for Manchester United over the course of the summer and since returning from injury, he isn’t guaranteed a starting spot, opening up a chance that Borussia Dortmund may let him leave. Despite already signing a number of midfielders in the summer, Louis van Gaal will still be keen to add more quality players into his squad as he accomplish a top four finish.
He only made four league starts this season scoring one goal, but if United want to sign him, they may need to cash in on him now or risk his price rising if he manages to pick up form later in the campaign.
Arjen Robben
Name: Arjen Robben
Age: 30
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Netherlands
Club: Bayern Munich
Price: £30 – £35 million
Another summer target Louis van Gaal was considering is the likes of Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben, a player he is already familiar with during his time as the Netherlands manager. The Dutch star earlier rejected a move to Manchester United, but with his club naming Marco Reus as a transfer target, he may have to make way.
It was revealed that Van Gaal has been in constant contact with Robben as he tries to convince his fellow countryman to make the switch to Old Trafford. Despite his age, the 30-year-old has been getting better and better as he gets older and would be a great addition to United’s struggling attack force.
Roberto Firmino
Name: Roberto Firmino
Age: 23
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Brazil
Club: Hoffenheim
Price: £20 – £25 million
Dubbed the ‘new Kaka’ Roberto Firmini is another attacking prospect Manchester United have been monitoring as a number of other Premier League clubs are also chasing his services. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea are believed to all be interested in signing the attacking midfielder to add to their ranks.
He started all his Bundesliga matches for Hoffenheim, scoring three and also assisting three in 14 appearances. His dribbling and passing ability in the final third of the field could be just what Louis van Gaal needs as his current crop of midfielders are mostly being deployed in a holding role.
Atsuto Uchida
Name: Atsuto Uchida
Age: 26
Position: Right Back
Nationality: Japan
Club: Schalke 04
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Price: £5 – £10 million
Manchester United were previously interested in signing Atsuto Uchida to provide Rafael with some competition as well as add some cover in right side of Louis van Gaal’s defence. He recently signed a contract extension at Schalke 04, but that shouldn’t stop the club from trying to sign him.
Rafael has been in and out of the squad through injury with Antonio Valencia often being deployed in his place. Uchida is a regular face in the Bundesliga, starting 10 out of 14 league matches and appearing in five Champions League matches for his side. His very reasonable price tag along with his experience in Europe could be seen as a very good addition into the United back line.
Mats Hummels
Name: Mats Hummels
Age: 25
Position: Centre Back
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £25 – £30 million
Mats Hummels very well tops Manchester United’s shopping list as they have been in heavy pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund centre-back. Louis van Gaal seems to be unhappy with his current group of defensive players and along with the large number of injuries to his back line, the German World Cup winner will be a huge asset if the club can finally confirm his signing.
If he does join the Red Devils, he will easily be the first choice defender and is surely be someone who can sure up Van Gaal’s struggling defence. His exploits in Brazil shows that he is well on his way to becoming one of the best players in role and due to Dortmund’s decline in form, he could finally agree to a transfer.
As Tottenham Hotspur have looked to take their season into a higher gear during the festive period, for Emmanuel Adebayor, it’s felt much more like a chance to take the handbrake off, rather than increasing on any momentum gained.
Since making his superb loan spell from Manchester City permanent during the summer, the big Togolese striker has of course endured something of a difficult start to life as a fully-fledged player at White Hart Lane.
After joining up with Andre Villas-Boas’ squad without a proper pre-season under his belt, Adebayor has struggled for both form and fitness as he’s endeavoured to try and recapture the form that saw him net 17 Premier League goals for Harry Redknapp’s side last term. The superb goalscoring exploits of Jermain Defoe has offered the ex-Arsenal man only another obstacle to overcome in a set-up which has tended to only accommodate one striker for much of the season.
And in more ways than one, Adebayor’s goal in the 3-1 win over Reading yesterday couldn’t have come at a better time for both club and player. Because while it set the Lilywhites on their way to third in the Premier League table, it also saw Adebayor finally alleviate some of the mounting pressure that had begun to build amongst supporters in recent weeks.
Yet while some of the critique aimed at Adebayor has been both fair and due, especially so in the wake of his disastrous sending off against Arsenal back in November, there has been a growing sense of malaise developing from a small section of supporters towards the Togolese international. While Adebayor isn’t without his faults, fans must remain patient with him as we set off out into 2013.
Given his chequered history, it’s fair to say that supporters are well within their rights to dabble in an element of cynicism when it comes to evaluating their No10’s current run of patchy form. While Adebayor has scored goals wherever he’s gone in his career, he’s also tended to serve up large spells of inconsistency, too.
Since he first arrived at Spurs in 2011, supporters have yet to really be treated to the darker side of Emmanuel Adebayor, but come the North London derby back in November, they were given a timely reminder of the other side of the one time Real Madrid man’s game. His 18th minute lunge on Santi Cazorla saw him correctly sent off during Spurs’ disastrous 5-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, in a game which coincidentally saw him notch his only other league goal of the season.
It was a moment of stupidity and an exhibition of the fiery blood that has always pumped through the body of Adebayor, but nothing more. Yet judging by some of the views emanating out of White Hart Lane in recent weeks, the negativity heaped upon him suggests that not all may have necessarily got over the mauling caused that day by Adebayor’s moment of madness.
Yes, he’s not hit anywhere near the heights of last season, but first of all, let’s not forget quite what an outstanding contribution Adebayor produced for the Lilywhites last term. A tally of 17 league goals and 11 assists is outstanding whichever way you look at it and while he may not come close to matching it this time round, don’t underestimate the work he’s been performing for the side since his return to first team affairs.
Patience appears to have been running thin for Adebayor for a while now, but given the disruption he’s faced to his season so far, is it really that much of a surprise that he only may just now be coming into form?
Even though we’re now already half way through the Premier League season, Adebayor simply hasn’t had the solid, consistent run of starts in the league until the start of last month. Given his abject lack of fitness via an absent pre-season, early season cameos against Norwich and West Brom are reduced to little more than token statistics and following a niggling hamstring injury, he had to wait until November 11th to make his first start of the season against Manchester City.
The subsequent three-game suspension that awaited him following his next game against Arsenal is no one else’s fault bar his own, but consequently, his next start in the league didn’t come till the 2-1 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park. That was only his third Premier League start of the entire season.
And for a player that’s been described as everything from a passenger to a mercenary in recent weeks, his side haven’t half done bad with him in the team. Since that defeat to David Moyes’ side, Tottenham have been unbeaten in five, picking up 13 points along the way. Adebayor has started all five of those games.
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Playing in Villas-Boas’ altered 4-4-2 like set-up, the hard work Adebayor’s been doing off the ball, striving to win it back and linking up play from far deeper than what we’ve seen before, will never win as many plaudits as the goals Jermain Defoe’s recently been scoring. But don’t underestimate his value to the team.
Only in the past four weeks has Adebayor really got that run of games he’s needed to try and find both form and fitness. There’s been some knocks along the way, a few unconvincing performances and a touch in front of goal that certainly won’t return overnight. Yet slowly but surely, we’re finally starting to see Villas-Boas’ faith pay dividends.
Emmanuel Adebayor can’t stop here and for all his hard work, he must do more to start putting the ball in the back of the net. Although wheeling out tired clichés about him giving up the ghost now he’s got a permanent contract is both as uninformed as it is missing the point. He’s doing his bit to try and recapture the form of last season. It’s time the small section of naysayers started doing their bit to help him, too.
Leeds United’s season went from bad to worse on Saturday after they suffered a last-minute 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road in the English Championship.
Going behind in the 71st minute, Paul Heckingbottom’s side looked like they may rescue a point with an equaliser five minutes from time, however, Atdhe Nuhiu broke Leeds hearts with an injury time winner.
It means that Leeds have still won just one match since Heckingbottom took charge and fans are questioning the direction the team is heading in, already looking forward to the season ending.
They were particularly unhappy with the performance of midfielder Eunan O’Kane, whose continued selection is perplexing supporters.
He’s under-performed in the Leeds engine room for a couple of months now and there’s pressure on the manager to drop him for the remaining league games.
Is it time to give some youth players a chance?
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Despite only leaving England to return to his homeland earlier this year, Yohan Cabaye is already being linked with a stunning Premier League comeback. The former Newcastle pass-master has not enjoyed the most fruitful of spells in Paris, and talk in the media – on both sides of the Channel – suggests that January could provide a turn in the 28-year-old’s career.
Manchester United are one of a few teams sniffing around, and we here at FFC Towers think that Cabaye could be a massive player for Louis van Gaal. Not convinced? Here are FIVE reasons why he could be…
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CLICK ON THE MAN HIMSELF TO REVEAL THE FIVE
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Premier League experience
Whatever way you look at it, Cabaye was a success at Newcastle. Signed for a bargain rate, the Frenchman was excellent in the North East, playing a vital role in the Magpies’ impressive run to fifth place in 2011/12.
Upon his exit earlier this year there was an alarming drop off in Newcastle’s performances, illustrating just how important he was…
Wants to leave PSG
Despite only moving to PSG in January, Cabaye is understood to be ready to end his adventure in Paris. The silky 28-year-old has struggled for game time, with the majority of his performances having been from the bench.
United cannot offer Champions League football right now, so targeting players keen to move – as they did with Radamel Falcao – is a wise strategy.
Mix of creativity and solidity
While his renowned for his attacking flair, Cabaye is actually a remarkably solid player in a deeper midfield role. The French ace provides a good screen in front of his backline, and, although not a fierce tackler, is decent at winning the ball back to build attacks.
United currently lack such a player, with Daley Blind very much an unorthodox option, so snapping up Cabaye could solve a pressing concern for Louis van Gaal.
Keep him away from rivals
United are not the only side chasing Cabaye, with Arsenal and Liverpool also in the hunt. The 28-year-old is a wanted man thanks to his Premier League track record, and is likely to be the subject of multiple bids.
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Letting Cabaye head to the Gunners or the Reds is likely to put United on the back foot again, so snapping him up just to keep him away from a foe may be wise…
In his peak
Central midfielders, typically, enjoy their peak years between 27 and 31. Cabaye is slap bang in the middle of that range now, and is likely to be at the very top of his powers for the coming few seasons. It’s all well and good looking into the distance with younger players, but the Red Devils need to get results right now.
For a team as rich in history as Liverpool F.C, there hasn’t half been some tosh pull on the famous red shirt and walk past the ‘This is Anfield’ sign. Although the Reds might have picked up seven domestic trophies and three European ones since the inception of the Premier League, they have never quite managed to pull off the big one, indeed their last league title came under Kenny Dalglish in 1990.
Although there have been some great players turning out for the club in the Premier League era, think Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia or Robbie Fowler, some of their other signings have been simply miserable. Old boss Rafa Benitez had a reputation for loading his squad with unheard-of, and often useless players, while more recently, Kenny Dalglish went the other way, paying big fees for overrated talent.
There are a lot of contenders for such a team, but we’ve selected the worst XI signings to play for Liverpool in the Premier League era. See if you agree:
Click on Paul Konchesky to unveil the XI
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