EVERPOOL

IT’S the age-old pub debate over which players from either side of Stanley Park would make a Merseyside representative XI.
Me and new ECHO Reds blogger Luke Traynor (he’s that rare sort of RS who is neither bitter or blinkered) decided to throw ours into the mix and ask for your suggestions.
Both our teams are based on the players’ form over the last 12 months. Here’s mine (excuse the early rush of Reds).

IT’S the age-old pub debate over which players from either side of Stanley Park would make a Merseyside representative XI.
Me and new ECHO Reds blogger Luke Traynor (he’s that rare sort of RS who is neither bitter or blinkered) decided to throw our teams into the mix and ask for your suggestions.
Both our teams are based on the player form over the last 12 months. Here’s mine (excuse the early rush of Reds);

GOAL KEEPER: Pepe Reina.
IT pains me to admit it but the big grock who looks like a Mathew St doorman is marginally more reliable than the still excellent Tim Howard, and has proven himself a world-class shot stopper. His kicking is also slightly more on the money.

RIGHT BACK: Steve Finnan.
THE speeding, (sorry, speedy) Irishman hasn’t had the best season for Liverpool but on form he can look the complete right back. He is also more comfortable on the ball than Hibbert and Neville.

CENTRE-HALF: Jamie Carragher.
EVEN though his legs are fading faster than Liverpool’s chances of getting fourth spot, Mr Kopite Jamie is still a centre-half of admirable poise, endeavour and positioning. A good organiser too.

CENTRE-HALF: Phil Jagielka.
IT'S been nothing short of remarkable watching Jags blossom from a bench-warmer in his early months at Goodison, to a younger version of Bootle’s finest above. Last minute blocks, brave and vital slide-tackles, and never-say-die attitude push him in ahead of promising Dane Daniel Agger. (By the way a £10 to the first person who can correctly guess Agger’s return to first team action date. Does he still exist?

LEFT BACK: Joleon Lescott.
HAIRY and fairy early 90’s rockers Extreme once sang ‘More than Words’. Truly, you would need more than words to do justice to the strange-haired Midlander’s impact on our fortunes. He is the best centre-half in Merseyside and will finish the season in double figures for goals. Immense. The first name on the team-sheet. My skipper.

RIGHT-WING - Mikel Arteta.
THE second name on the team-sheet. A little form-shy over recent months but we all know the magical qualities he possesses in abundance. THE best Spaniard in the team.

CENTRE MID - Tim Cahill.
GETS the nod just ahead of Javier Mascherano because of his goals and nusiance making. If this was a real team Mascherano would step-up next season and push Tim for his place.

CENTRE MID - Steven Gerrard.
THE miserable get, for all his unpleasant qualities, is quite good at footy.

LEFT-WING - Steven Pienaar.
A mercurial talent who gets better with each game. The diminutive South African has got the skills to pay the bills and is a delight linking up with Arteta.

STRIKER - Ayegbeni Yakubu.
IN light of his partner, this would be a free-scoring, head-line grabbing Strikeforce capable of winning any competition. Deceptively quick, strong, confident and deadly in front of goal. Oh and cost almost £9m less than his partner.

STRIKER - Fernando Torres.
THERE'S no arguing with his class. Frighteningly fast, full of flair and inspirational for Da Redz.

SUBS: Tim Howard, Lee Carlsey, James Vaughan, Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano.

MANGER: HE'S got red hair and we don't care Davie, Davie Moyes. Easy pick for reasons I haven't the time or arrogance to list. Everpool would probably win the league by April.

To check out Luke’s team, visit http://luketraynor.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/02/liverton.html#more

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