2004-05

The highlights (for those who don't want to read much)

WINNER: Jamie Carragher

Runners-up: 2nd Xabi Alonso, 3rd Steven Gerrard

Wooden Spoon: Salif Diao

Most Controversial Players: Antonio Nunez, Antony le Tallec, Harry Kewell

Nicest Bastard: Mark Scanlon

Nastiest Bastard: Stephen Farnsworth

Overall average was 6.1 compared to 5.6 in 2004, 6.0 in 2003, 6.9 in 2002, 7.5 in 2001, 6.5 in 2000, 5.6 in 1999 and 5.7 in 1998.

The lowest average mark was 4.3 given by Andy Philip in 2004.

The highest average mark was 8.6 given by John Anderson in 2001.

Player ratings

10 - world class

1.  Jamie Carragher

Av. 9.72, Hi 10 Lo 8

(2004: 2nd with 7.98; 2003: 10th with 6.43; 2002 9th with 7.32; 2001 6th with 8.33; 2000: 11th with 6.50; 1999: 3rd= with 7.80; 1998: 5th with 6.90)

It was quite remarkable how many people said '10: nothing more needs be said.' Last year, only Stephen Davis dared call Jamie world class but 21 people gave 10 this year. I wavered, but the Chelsea SF home game convinced me. Any doubters after that probably changed their mind after the double-groin-cramp-block in extra time in Istanbul. Lemmy, with the only 8, did vote before the final. As Chris Hadley says it is 'the way he lives, breathes and dies Liverpool every time he sets foot on the pitch' that impresses most - not bad for an ex-blue! Jamie's final score BEATS Stevie G's record from last year. 'We all dream of a team of Carraghers.'

 

9 - excellent season

 

2. Xabi Alonso

Av. 8.66 Hi 10 Lo 6

A couple of 10s (Mark Scanlon and Tze Ming Quek) and one pre-final 6 from Lemmy, but a general feeling that with a full season he can only get better, so several people gave 9 and commented that they wanted to leave room for next year's improvement. 'Only one poor game and that was his debut', commented Fletch.

 

[The Manager

Rafael Benitez

Av. 8.65 Hi 10 Lo 5

Only seven 10s, but as Jaron Collis said, 'every club in the world would hire him tomorrow'. He's still learning, as several people pointed out and there were some mistakes like not starting Hamann in Istanbul and the starting XI at Fulham, as Paul Bird pointed out before commenting '20/10 for the half-time talks in those games'! 'It would be churlish to award anything but a 10' said Kev Howson for 'a man who wins the RUL in what was supposed to be his transitional season' said Mike Taylor but the lower marks usually came with the comment that League form was a worry and must be improved. The only marks of less than 8 were a pre-final 7 from Paul Clough and a 5 from Lemmy ('EPL is our main task after all').]

 

8 - good season

 

3. Steven Gerrard

Av. 8.03, Hi 10, Lo 6

(2004: 1st with 9.70, 2003: 7th with 7.38; 2002: 7th with 7.84; 2001: 2nd with 9.43; 2000: 2nd with 8.47; 1999: 5th with 7.16)

The complicated one. What do we think? Well, we 'ummed' and we 'ahhed' all season and wondered whether we had the whole package (mentally and in terms of performance) but in the end we've decided we love Stevie after all (but is it only because we think he's staying?). Many concerns still expressed over attitude and comments but, while we all know he is world class, only Mike Humphries gave a 10 for this season (but there were two 9.5s) while Lemmy's solitary pre-final 6 would surely have mirrored by others if we had not had such a gloriously optimistic finale to the season. I'm sure we're hoping to launch an avalanche of 10s next season. To quote Mike Taylor: 'You find out what a player is really made of on the biggest occasions, and they don't come any bigger than 3-0 down against Milan.'

 

I'll leave Chris Hadley to sum up some of the mixed feelings: 'How on earth can the captain of the European Champions merely merit a 7? Well, Stevie, you lose marks for not being as good as you were last season ... you lose marks because the team has proved it can play without you at times .... you lose marks for openly doubting whether you’ll stay at the club unless things change ... you lose marks for the appalling timing of [your] remarks. Then you gain marks for dragging us back into it against Olympiacos and again against Milan. You gain marks for lifting the big- eared cup. And you do not lose any marks whatsoever for the own goal in the Carling Cup Final – something that could happen to anyone.'

 

4. Luis Garcia

Av. 8.02 Hi 9 Lo 6

A surprise for me, given some of the stick he did get at times, but he just failed to get the third place he looked like getting early on. Three 9s and (a pattern emerging here) one pre-final 6 from Lemmy, but a few people did split the difference between sublime European form and rather more indifferent Premiership form. His Hollywood tendencies are both his strengths (he can pull rabbits out of hats) and one of his weaknesses (the other is, quite literally, his weakness) but the European goals have ensured cult status already. '13 goals from open play. Says it all...' said Paul Tomkins.

5. John Arne Riise

Av. 7.90, Hi 9, Lo 6

(2004: 14th with 5.40, 2003: 13th with 6.00; 2002: 5th with 8.71)

Apparently, JAR has recovered from Norwegian one-season wonder syndrome. I wonder if he is attacking enough to retain left-side of midfield; as Fletch pointed out 'ultimately we need a Robben or Duff not a Riise' but as Mike Taylor commented 'his no-nonsense athleticism gives us something most teams struggle to deal with.' Left-back might seem an obvious position, but his strengths seem to be lost when he plays there. Maybe he needs a more hard-working left-winger ahead of him. Some disagreement on the list - six 9s but three 6s.

6. Dietmar Hamann

Av. 7.59, Hi 9, Lo 5 

(2004: 5th with 6.62; 2003: 3rd with 7.68; 2002: 6th with 8.57; 2001: 9th with 7.93; 2000: 9th with 6.79)

One of several players whose mark definitely went up after Istanbul which means that the omnipresent Didi debate has finished in many people's view. As Mike Taylor put it: 'The debate is over: we absolutely need him, and to let him go on a free would be crazy.' As Tony Becker succinctly put it: 'I was wrong.' There were four 9s including a prescient pre-final mark from Stephen Farnsworth, which contrasted with Lemmy's less optimistic solo 5. No-one has ever awarded him a 10 though. Offer a new contract please, Rafa.

7. Sami Hyypia

Av. 7.50, Hi 9, Lo 6

(2004: 4th with 7.02; 2003: 8th with 6.68; 2002 2nd with 9.41; 2001: 1st with 9.67; 2000: 1st with 9.44)

Opinion was divided on whether dropping Sami was just the impetus he needed, or whether it was a bit of an insult. Most are agreed he is slowing down and that is a concern, but this was his best year since his glorious first 3 (according to his marks anyway).

 

7 - on balance, a successful season

 

8. Steve Finnan

Av. 7.48, Hi 9, Lo 5

(2004: 18= with 4.56)

Quite a turnaround. Fletch went from 0 last year to 8 this, and three people awarded a 9. In contrast, just one 5, from Stephen Farnsworth. I didn't think he was bad as some people thought last year but, considering he was almost sold last August and he only got back in the side as stop-gap right midfielder, he's certainly done well.

 

9. Jerzy Dudek

Av. 6.90, Hi 9, Lo 5

(2004: 6th with 6.52; 2003: 12th with 6.32; 2002: 1st with 9.52)

Post-final factor had a huge influence on Jerzy's final mark. Personally, I thought he'd done well and really, ManU apart, he has made very few blunders since returning to the team, but I was looking very isolated in the pre-final voting. In the end, Mike Taylor and Kev Howson gave 9 and Mike commented that 'the double-save from Shevchenko in extra time is the single best thing any goalkeeper has ever done in world history'. The only 5s were pre-final. I'd love to see him start next season, but with Reina waiting in the wings.

10. Igor Biscan

Av. 6.53, Hi 8, Lo 5

(2004: 17th with 4.76, 2003: 16th with 5.11; 2002: 21st with 4.82; 2001: 18th with 5.73)

Grudging respect, now that Igor has been given a run in his favoured position, and certainly his best season but 'still infuriates and excites in the same game' according to Fletch. Even so, mainly 6s and 7s, just one 8, from Fletch, and still several 5s. With Didi staying, will there be room for Igor next year?

 

6 - a qualified success, good in parts

 

12. Milan Baros

Av. 6.24, Hi 8, Lo 2

(2004: 10th with 5.96; 2003: 4th= with 7.63) 

In some ways, if we ignore players awarded 0 (used by some people to mean no future at Anfield), Baros was our most controversial player. Three 8s, but also 3 5s and a 2 from Stephen Farnsworth. I know what Mike Taylor is saying when he says 'he could have done with more goals, but it astonishes me how many people seem unable to see beyond that to the crucial contribution he has made this year' but the Heskeyesque goal return was commented on more than once.

 

12. Djimi Traore

Av. 6.22, Hi 8 Lo 3

(2004: 20th with 3.92; 2003: 11th with 7.32; 2002: n/a; 2001 19th with 5.20)

We're still not convinced are we? Indeed, not even his best season according to his marks but the thought of Bambi being a European Cup winner tickles the funnybone of many a listee. As Kev Howson said: 'the usual mix of the sublime and the ridiculous,' but those Inspector Gadget telescopic leg tackles still can't block out memories of the deft penalty box back-heel at Turf Moor. His first-half roasting from Shevchenko won't have helped but Paul Tomkins is alone (for the second season) in awarding his highest mark while there were three 4s and a 3 from Andy Pearson who commented 'definitely the weakest link in the team and #1 on Rafa's replacement list over the summer. I hope.' (Sound like AJP might be disappointed though).

12=. Scott Carson

Av. 6.22, Hi 8, Lo 5

Not enough to go on yet, hence lots of 6s, the one 8 from Mark Scanlon and nothing lower than the three 5s. The Juve goal was the main muttering discontentment.

13. Florent Sinama-Pongolle

Av. 6.16, Hi 8, Lo 4

(2004: 8th with 6.04)

An 8 from Mark Scanlon, a 4 from Stephen Farnsworth, but mostly 6s and the odd 7. Unfortunate to get the leg break just when he was getting a run in the team but I dread him becoming another youngster with potential who is actually in his mid-20s and, like most of our current strikers, he has never really scored enough.

15. Djibril Cisse

Av. 6.14, Hi 8, Lo 4

Okay, he's done amazingly well to come back from the leg break, but this doesn't disguise the fact that before that we were beginning to lose patience and he was playing as a right-winger - exactly the same 'solution' we came up with for El-hadj Diouf! As Fletch said 'this guy should be on a catwalk, not a centre forward,' but (with a slight sense of unease), Jeff Quantrill commented 'shows exactly the hunger and desire that will make him an Anfield legend (says Jeff setting himself up for a fall!).' Only one 8, from Mark Scanlon, and a 4 from Lemmy.

16. Stephen Warnock

Av. 6.03, Hi 7, Lo 4

The best of the youngsters, but there are few who see him as much more than a useful squad player for a season or two. 'Did all that could be expected of him and probably not much more', said Tony Becker, '[so] I guess that's a successful season for him.' Hence, nothing more than a few 7s yet 4s from Andy Nix and Stephen Farnsworth.

17. Fernando Morientes

Av. 5.88, Hi 7, Lo 5

There is no disguising the fact that Morientes was a bit of a disappointment, but we still all have high hopes for next season, hence everyone gave either 5, 6, or 7. Whether it was lack of fitness, lack of match practise, or a failure to adapt to the rough and tumble of the Premiership, we'll all be hoping for a big improvement next year. 'When was the last time we signed someone and they banged in a brace or a hat-trick on their debut?' bemoaned Tze Ming Quek.

18. Neil Mellor

Av. 5.83, Hi 7, Lo 4

(2004: n/a; 2003: 9th with 6.46)

I think we would all like to see Mellor make the step up to the next level, but I don't think very many of us think it will happen, although Gaz still refers to him as our 'fox in the box'. Most of us thought that the Arsenal goal and the Olympiacos performance were enough to earn 5, 6 or even 7, but Paul Clough gave the only 4.

19. Vladimir Smicer

Av 5.79, Hi 7, Lo 1

(2004: 16th with 5.00; 2003: 17th with 4.75; 2002: 16th with 5.80; 2001: 16th with 6.63; 2000: 19th with 4.93)

Without doubt, the big post-final winner as far as this poll is concerned. He picked up several 7s which were said to be for his final performance alone and ended up pulling himself to the dizzy heights of 19th place (!). The 2 from Andy Nix and the 1 from Stephen Farnsworth were both from before the post-final euphoria. Great attitude, great guy, but never made the most of his chances in the team. I, for one, wish him well.

 

5 - pretty average

20. Darren Potter

Av. 5.18, Hi 7, Lo 2

Of the Academy boys given a chance this year (Warnock made his debut on loan at Coventry), Potter seems the one who might go further (apart from David Raven, who did not make enough appearance to be eligible) but, in Paul Tomkins words '[I] can't recall him looking the part'. So, an optimistic 7 given by Mark Scanlon but just a 2 given by Stephen Farnsworth.

 

21. Chris Kirkland

Av. 5.07, Hi 7, Lo 4

(2004: 12th with 5.72; 2003: 6th with 7.43)

We've given up. Just Erling Baldorf and Tony Becker gave 7 but there was a whole raft of 4s. As Gaz said 'I can't see his dad EVER collecting on that bet.'

 

22. Antonio Nunez

Av. 5.00, Hi 7, Lo 0

Rafa made two great signings - but the rest? Nunez looks very ordinary, although he 'gives us good shape and works hard' as Kev Howson puts it, which is damning with faint praise really. Only Paul Clough, with the only 7, can see more than this, whereas Chris Khalil and Lemmy could only award a 3 and (get used to this phrase) Stephen Farnsworth awarded 0.

23. Antony le Tallec

Av. 4.97, Hi 7, Lo 0

(2004: 9th with 5.98)

ALT (and FSP) worry me. When the two TLAs (three letter acronyms) arrived they were said to be the best in the world. But, despite being the same age as Owen when he made his breakthrough, or Ronaldo at ManU, they were said to be too young and not the finished article. Two years later and we have (at last one) disaffected youngster in danger of wasting his talent. The main reason IMO - we don't play them enough. So, only Mark Scanlon was optimistic enough to award 7 but there was nothing less than 4 except that Stephen Farnsworth awarded 0.

24. John Welsh

Av. 4.91, Hi 7, Lo 2

The 'next big thing' was given a chance but we can't honestly say he took it. Only that nice man Mark Scanlon awarded 7, there was a 3 from Andy Nix and Stephen Farnsworth awarded - well, 2 actually.

25. Josemi

Av. 4.52, Hi 6, Lo 2

Some disagreement here. Some people felt he had done alright and was getting unfairly treated but others felt he had been found out. Certainly his last few performances before his injury showed a woeful lack of positional awareness. Nothing more than 6s but 2s from no less than four people.

 

4 - rather poor

 

no-one

 

 

3 - awful

 

26. Mauricio Pellegrino

Av. 3.48, Hi 6, Lo 0

Disagreement here as well. Was he an experienced head who helped improve the side or just a slow past-it Argy? Reports of his departure would suggest that his future coaching skills were not the reason he arrived but Tony Becker had the idea that 'he was a Benitez masterstroke - I think he helped the defence understand the Benitez wants from them'. For a while, as Paul Tomkins pointed out '[he] seemed to adapt, and then lost it again.'  'If we played our games in slow motion' said Gaz, 'he'd be superb'. So, while there were three 6s even Mark Scanlon gave 1 and there were 0s from Fletch, Andy Nix and Stephen Farnsworth.

 

27. Harry Kewell

Av. 3.17, Hi 7, Lo 0

(2004: 7th with 6.18)

'Being a NZer , I could be seen as biased' commented Andrew Fraser. It would appear we've all become NZers! What a disappointment. Kewell was a proven Premiership player who could run with the ball and who looked to be a brilliant acquisition but this season has been a disaster, only made more bizarre by the two final appearances. Even then, opinion is divided about whether Kewell in Istanbul displayed true grit trying to play on with an unhealable injury, or just floppy-haired, Alice-banded girliness. Whatever his qualities, he is now drinking in the last chance saloon - if he is not already being pointed towards the door. Paul Clough, with the only 7, will be most disappointed but Colin Watt, Brian Lewis and Stephen Farnsworth are all giving directions.

28. Salif Diao

Av. 2.83, Hi 5, Lo 0

(2004: 23rd with 2.24; 2003: 15th with 5.18)

Poor Salif becomes the first double wooden-spooner - but his mark's higher than last year and only got three 0s this year, from Paul Tomkins, Colin Watt and Stephen Farnsworth.