The Liverpool Preview Part 1

Well, the new Premiership season of 2006/07 will start tomorrow with Liverpool kicking off at Bremmal Lane against the recently promoted Sheffield United. Just before everything kicks off, let's take a look at our squad and I'll analyse them as well as the new players that joined us over the summer.

English Premiership

Last Season's Position: 3rd

Total Points: 82points (Highest Points Amassed Since 1988)

Records: 11 Consecutive Wins, Most Number of Clean Sheets

Awards: Pepe Reina - Golden Gloves Awards - 20 Clean Sheets
Steven Gerrard - PFA Player of the Year 2006

Honours: FA Cup 2006 Winner, UEFA Super Cup Winner

Squad:

1. Jerzy Dudek
2. Jan Kromkamp
3. Steve Finnan
4. Sami Hyypia
5. Daniel Agger
6. John Arne Riise
7. Harry Kewell
8. Steven Gerrard (Captain)
9. Robbie Fowler
10. Luis Garcia Sanz
11. Mark Gonzalez
12. Fabio Aurelio
14. Xabi Alonso
15. Peter Crouch
16. Jermaine Pennant
17. Craig Bellamy
22. Momo Sissoko
23. Jamie Carragher (Vice-Captain)
24. Florent Sinama-Pongolle
25. José Manuel Reina
26. Paul Anderson
28. Stephen Warnock
29. Gabriel Paletta
32. Boudewijn Zenden

Loaned Out:
20. Scott Carson - Loan (Charlton Atl.)
34. Darren Potter - Loan (Wolves)
Chris Kirkland - Loan (Wigan)
Danny O'Donnell - Loan (Crewe)
Djibril Cisse - Loan (Marseille)

2006/07 Transfers:

Out:

Antonio Barragán, Ramon Calliste, Bruno Cheyrou, Robbie Foy, Dietmar Hamann, Paul Lancaster, Carl Medjani, Fernando Morientes, Michael Nardiello, David Raven, Djimi Traore, Zak Whitbread, Paul Willis, Calum Woods;


In:

12. Fabio Aurelio (Brazil)

Position: Left-back/Left Wing-back

Fee: Free(Bosman)

Previous Clubs: Sao Paolo, Valencia

- The first ever Brazillian to play for Liverpool, Aurelio came as a free agent after rejecting a contract from Valencia. He's a player with a wicked left foot and unlike Riise who strikes ball with venom, he's the Beckham-esque curler of the ball. I've seen some free-kicks he scored as a Valencia player and I must say I'm impressed. Albeit a little too injury proned, he's a fantastic player down our left wing and will certainly provide competition to both the left-back slot and the left-wing.





11. Mark Gonzalez (Chile)

Position: Left-winger

Fee: 4.5million GBP

Previous Clubs: Albacete, Real Sociedad(loan)

- Joined us a year ago, but was not eligible to play due to work permit problem. Already making impact by scoring the winning goal against Maccabi Haifa, 'Speedy' certainly will provide much width and pace to the Liverpool forward line as well as his shooting prowess and dribbling ability we lacked. Only 22, he'll certainly grow into an exciting player.



? Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands)

Position: Wing Foward / Center Forward

Fee: 9-11million GBP

Previous Clubs: Utrecht, Feyenoord

- A goal scoring machine back in Holland, the hero of Feyenoord might just be the final piece in the puzzle for Rafa, who have been tracking him for two years already. Have not officially announced his arrival, but expect the news to be made known within this few days.


17. Craig Bellamy (Wales)

Position: Forward

Fee: 6million GBP

Previous Clubs: Norwich, Coventry, Newcastle, Celtic, Blackburn

- A Welsh striker just like Ian Rush was, he came to Anfield with a reputation of a bad boy. Will he change or will he spend more time in jail than on the pitch? It's a big gamble that Rafa has bidded in, but we are certain that this player is talented and to me, he's a raw gem. Just need some polishing and discipline, he MIGHT just be our new Ian Rush (hopefully).




16. Jermaine Pennant (England)

Position: Right-winger

Fee: 6.7million GBP

Previous Clubs: Notts County, Arsenal, Leeds, Birmingham

- Yet another bad boy, the journeyman of football spend years on loan and off field problem stagnated his career. But after a dream move to Liverpool, will he prosper and grow under the guidance of Benitez? Provides width and pace like Gonzalez and stats tells us that he put in the most number of cross in the Premiership last season. With a pole like Crouch to aim at, shouldn't be much of a problem for him. Still have the 'Arsenal' way of playing, which is pretty entreprising.


29. Gabriel Paletta (Argentina)

Position: Centre-back / Right-back

Fee: 2million GBP

Previous Clubs: Banfield

- No nonsense defender ala Jamie Carragher. He's bought in to act as cover for Carra as well as for the future. Now we have two perfect fitted backup for Hyypia and Carragher. Won the FIFA U-20 tournament in 2005 with Argentina, the tough-tackling defender is in Roberto Ayala mould and he'll hope to replicate the success of Benitez's former stalwart over at Valencia.


Tomorrow, I'll let you have a look at the tactics of the squad and the possibilities with almost 2 players in every positions. Cheers.

Tags: Liverpool FC