By Alexander Lapp
Every club has its flops.
It’s a natural process to have for a big club. Some more than others. Liverpool is no different as it has some players haven’t made an impact at the club.
Some have but in a negative way.
It can be unfair to judge a player on the outside as there can be some issues off the field that the general public doesn’t know. However, we can only judge what we see on the pitch and these players didn’t make the cut.
The pints have been poured and all the regulars at the Tavern have gathered around to discuss the worst XI Jürgen Klopp can introduce to the Kop.
Many thought it would be easy. However, as it got started, the locals realise the big challenge ahead of them.
However, at the end of the night and after many pints, here is the WORST Liverpool XI that Klopp can start for the club…….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE WORST REDS XI!
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Goalkeeper: Adam Bogdan
The Hungarian came in with the hopes of being a dependable number two.
After his performances against Liverpool in the FA Cup for Bolton, Liverpool took note and made him their man.
Following his contract, Bogdan headed over to Merseyside on the free transfer. However, his performances in the season have been extremely questionable and as a result, he lost all confidence.
It’s a bit harsh to give the man this much criticism. With that being said, when given the chances to show himself, he’s failed miserably. To make matters worse, he’s no longer in the match day squad, being replaced by Danny Ward.
Being replaced by a youngster yet to make for the club signals your days are numbered.
If Liverpool fans saw number 34 between the pipes, nerves at the Tavern would escalate immensely and more pints being bought to calm them.
Right Back: Andre Wisdom
The locals here at the Tavern agree that his career started so brightly at Liverpool.
Being brought in by Brendan Rodgers in 2012 to start in the Europa League, he went on to score on his debut.
He went on to make about 20 more starts for the club and people thought he could have a future at the club.
Fast forward to present time and Wisdom is in his third loan stint with a different club.
With Nathaniel Clyne looking every bit the part, Jon Flanagan making his return, and bright youngsters like Ryan McLaughlin and Connor Randall eager to take part in the first team, Wisdom’s Liverpool career looks all but over.
He never played poorly, but never played exceptionally. His inability to cement his dominance at the right back position is the reason why Liverpool continued to look for replacements after Glen Johnson left, finding the best possible English right back in Clyne.
Also, only making a few appearances for relegation battling Norwich City is a sign that he won’t be in the Premier League for long.
Centre Back: Tiago Ilori
There was a running bet at the Tavern whether Tiago Ilori would make an appearance for the club? Alas, he finally did in the third round of the FA Cup!
That’s as much excitement for the Portuguese centre back. Arriving in 2013 from Sporting Lisbon, he had much potential as a pacey centre back who could pass out of the back. However, the Liverpool faithful haven’t seen any of what Brendan Rodgers saw when buying him.
Ilori was sent on loan to Granada, Bordeaux, and Aston Villa, with the latter ending prematurely. He hasn’t played with much confidence and doesn’t like getting physical with other forwards.
His inability to use any sort of strength makes him susceptible to overpowering forwards. This would cause fans to concern and ruin any sort of confidence the centre back had.
He looks destined to move on in the summer in hopes to regain any sort of confidence and form.
Centre Back: Steven Caulker
The former Tottenham and Cardiff player had a bright future for the Three Lions.
Now, he has been loaned out to his second club this season following a rather unsuccessful spell at Southampton.
He was brought in a time of crisis as much of Liverpool’s centre backs were being injured left and right.
He has featured a few times for the club and similar to Wisdom, he hasn’t done anything poorly or spectacular to formulate any opinion.
If Martin Skrtel’s form continues, the Slovakian will replace Caulker.
However, Caulker hasn’t done much to solidify anything. Now, after sitting on the bench in south England, he is sitting on the bench in north England. We wonder which bench is more comfortable for Steven?
Left Back: Jose Enrique
“He is still at the club?” Yes, random man at the Tavern, Jose Enrique is still at the club. Rodgers tried to get rid of him for two years. He wouldn’t go. Jürgen wanted him gone in January. He wouldn’t go. With his contract finally up at the end of the season, he will finally head on his way. The excitement level is through the roof as the club will no longer have to witness his muscles making his shirt look way too tight.
He had a bright start to his Liverpool career with Kenny Dalglish and after he was sacked, he continued to have good performances for the club. All of the sudden, the form dipped massively and he was overtaken by many players. When he does play, he makes awful mistakes that almost cost whatever match he’s playing in. To get him off the books, everyone at the club will be happy to see him leave.
Left Midfield: Joao Carlos Teixeira
He came to Liverpool with a lot of expectations, similar to every other Liverpool youngsters that are bought by the club.
He was noticed by Liverpool scouts in the NextGen series when Sporting Lisbon were matched up against Liverpool.
He is a creative player who has many tricks in his repertoire that got fans excited. However, he hasn’t necessarily lived up to that bill.
The locals at the Tavern were wary when he came back from Brentford abruptly, but when he went to Brighton, he looked like the player fans wanted to see.
When given the chance in the squad, he has flashes of bright moments, but with defence not being an emphasis for the Portuguese playmaker, he doesn’t offer much if his tricks are doing well.
He will only get appearances if major injuries occur.
Centre Midfield: James Milner
He came in with applause as a shrewd piece of business by Liverpool’s staff.
A free transfer for an English international who still has a couple years in his prime was a no brainer.
The pre-season and the start of the season brought excitement to the club.
However, with Klopp putting him back out wide, his performances have dipped dramatically and now, it remains a question how many matches he will get next season.
It’s a real shame that he belongs in this XI. Fans at the Tavern were thrilled when he decided to come to Merseyside.
An experienced player who won trophies at Manchester City could only do good things for the young players.
Although his leadership cannot be questioned, his performances on the field haven’t been good enough. Hence, his place on the team.
Centre Midfield: Jordan Henderson
Wait what? The captain is in this starting XI? This writer must be crazy. Yet, as captain of the club, performances must be on similar levels.
The captain doesn’t need to be the best player.
However, he needs to be consistent. Has he been consistent? No and although injuries can influence his form, he is not what Liverpool fans need. With the rumours of Tottenham lining up for a bid, Liverpool fans shouldn’t worry about the team’s performances if he leaves.
Sir Alex Ferguson questioned this signing and although at the time, it seemed harsh, his performances haven’t been spectacular. The rise of Emre Can has certainly played into Henderson’s performances.
Even if Hendo plays well, Can usually does better to outweigh him. And with Liverpool looking for someone to partner up with Can in the middle, the days for the captain could start to wind down. His performances don’t help his case.
Right midfield: Jordon Ibe
When Raheem Sterling left, everyone at the Tavern was excited to see Ibe step in and take his place.
He has pace, the eye to go forward, and great pieces of skill to go with it.
However, this season has been an extreme disappointment for the winger. He has lost all confidence and with his recent sending off for the England U-21s, it doesn’t look promising for him.
There is still plenty of time to resurrect his career. At 20 years old, he has the world ahead of him as a footballer. Yet, he needs to sit down with Klopp and discuss how he can get better.
He lost the courage to attack players that he did so well when he first broke into the team.
Now, he looks to play centrally or backwards, stopping any sort of attack for the club. He does deserve this place in the team.
Striker: Christian Benteke
Everyone knows the money was way too much for the player.
£32.5 million put great pressure on him to perform even before he stepped onto the field.
Clearly, he hasn’t produced what was expected from him.
And with his interview about Jürgen Klopp over this international break, his chance to stay at Liverpool after this season are looking slim.
However, no one can really argue about him leaving the club. He has not played well.
It is one thing to not score goals but contribute in other areas of the pitch. Goal scorers go through dry spells. It is natural. Luis Suarez struggled to score goals, but he chipped in with assists and being a menace to opposing defenders.
However, Benteke doesn’t offer any of that to the club. He is a stagnant player who doesn’t want to do anything. He is not the forward that Liverpool wanted and thoroughly deserves to be in this lineup.
Striker: Mario Balotelli:
The Italian striker came in with much baggage and he went on loan with even more.
The man loves drama and unfortunately for him and the club he plays for, he doesn’t play well enough.
If he played at a world class level, the off the field issues could be overlooked. However, he doesn’t. Not even close. That’s why he went right on loan to AC Milan. He wasn’t going to do anything for the club.
It was a close call between Jerome Sinclair and Balotelli with loud arguments occurring in the Tavern. However, it came to a vote and Balotelli barely beat out Sinclair to join this XI.
He has played for a lot of big clubs already in his young career and when at Liverpool, he didn’t have what it took to be successful. There is a lot of pressure put on this players and Balo couldn’t live up to it.
