Benayoun to wear number 15 next season?

Looking at the squad numbers that are currently taken at LFC and who has custody of them, well, it lead me to thinking....

The select players that we currently have that I think are of a quality that could win the Premiership are (squad numbers in brackets – the new Brazilian ‘keeper, Cavalieri isn’t 64 years-old; nor is the great Sami 4!):
Reina (25), Carra (23), Skrtel (37), Agger (5), Masch (20), Stevie-G (8), Torres (9)

The decent back-up players that we have are:
Cavalieri(64), Finnan (3), Arbeloa (17), Degen (27), Dossena (2), Aurelio (12), Hyypia (4), Lucas (21), Alonso (14), Babel (19), Benny-O (11), Kuyt (18)

That’s a squad of 19 not including the youngsters who will keep on developing in Carling Cup games, and against some of the lower teams. I haven’t included Babel and Alonso in that initial line-up because I believe Babel will step-up into that during the season. He had a typical up-and-down first season, but has the class, intelligence and age on his side. I’m expecting big things from him – but as things stand, right now, I don’t think he’s yet got that consistency to be included in a Prem-winning category. As for Xabi – I hope he stays. I know Rafa may have his plans, but I believe his loss of form over the last season or so has been down to these niggling injuries and maybe a slight drop in confidence due to them. He is quality, but (if he does stay) he’d need to get that fitness, form & confidence back to be able to jump back into that initial group.

You’d look at that top group of 7 (world-class) players and think to yourself, “Well, that’s only 4 players from a full team!”. However, you’d need a world class group of 14 (plus 5 or 6 of the back-ups), in my opinion, to really challenge. An extra world-class defender, midfielder & attacker on top of the 11. The flexibility of a Carra, Stevie-G and potentially players like Babel and others would mean a slight shuffle here or there would allow us to rest guys or cover injuries and still field a top, top side in every game.

Although you might think that means we’re only half way there, but with 2 or 3 quality additions and the likes of Babel, Degen & Dossena hopefully stepping-up, then we’re not a million miles away at all! The one area I think we are a little behind is in strength in depth in the out-and-out goal-scoring area. Although Danny Pacheco is clearly going to be some player, we have to remember that he is only 17 and is more of a creator than a scorer. Having watched Kristian Nemeth in the Euro U-19’s where Hungary outplayed Italy only to lose 1-0 (!!!) in the semi, I have to say he looks to have a fantastic future and hopefully with us! He’ll also become a fantastic foil for Pacheco – the arch-typical Dalglish/Rush combo, in my opinion (& fingers crossed!). Watch out for both starting to appear more & more during the course of this season.

Incidentally, the other stand-out player was the goalkeeper. I noticed him in a previous game when he made a number of great stops against a very good Spanish side. The ESPN commentators were calling him ‘Gallashi’ and I was delighted to realise it was actually Gulacsi our young Hungarian ‘keeper. Also, in the last group game against Germany, which was effectively a ‘dead rubber’, as both had already qualified, the Hungarian goal scorer was – yes, you’ve guessed it, Andras Simon, another young Liverpool player. Congratulations Rafa to your team of scouts – great potential finds!

Anyway, back to thread – so who are the players coming in and are the squad numbers giving anything away? Do the numbers 1 to 11 actually mean anything to players nowadays? Reina sounds like he’s happy NOT to have the 1, whereas the likes of Carra & Masch may not want to change from 23 & 20, respectively.

My first thought on the article above was whether Benny-O had requested the 15 instead of the 11 – or has he been asked to relinquish it – and if so, who coming in is wanting or demanding it?! Personally, I think he’ll boost Babel’s confidence by giving it to him.

Another immediate thought was that if Rafa is starting to re-organise squad numbers this pre-season, having not bothered about it in previous years, then is he getting close to what he considers a 'genuine challenger' of a squad? – although he’s always stated he’d never be completely happy with any squad he has!

So, this is my dream:
1 Reina (if he wants it)
2 Dossena
3 Finnan (will stay now Alvaro seems to want out)
4 Sami
5 Agger
6 BARRY
7 SILVA
8 Stevie-G
Liverpool’s Number 9!
10 KEANE (I think Voronin’s leaving)
11 Babel (change from 19)
12 Aurelio
13 [left unless specifically requested]
14 Alonso (if he stays)
15 Benny-O (apparently!)
16 Pennant (if he stays)
17 Arbeloa (if he stays)
18 Kuyt
19 Plessis (change from 47)
20 Masch
21 Lucas
22 Skrtel (change from 37)
23 Carra
24 Insua (change from 48)
25 Darby (change from 39)
26 Spearing (change from 34)
27 Degen (which he requested)
28 El Zhar (change from 42)
29 Nemeth (change from 81)
30 Pacheco (change from 52)
37 MATTHEWS (I demanded Skrtel change - this is my age - but Rafa knows I can still 'cut it'!)

If Barry isn't bought, I think it is a major mistake, as well. Keane is a must. However, the more I think about Barry's versatility, left foot, defensive ability, and goal-scoring prowess, the more I see a need for him. Alonso is a strong player but lacks versatility, does not score goals, and does not play strong enough defense. We need premiership seasoned players to have any chance of challenging for the title. We have to have more game breakers.