Liverpool’s worst Premier League XI
Aug 16, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Liverpool are one of the most prestigious and glorious teams in the history of Premier League football and also in Europe. They have managed to produce some of the best moments in the game and have time and again given the fans some great quality of football. However, over the years, they have had times when the managers that were at the club took some bad decisions and decided to purchase players who turned out to be flops. It has been a trend that has continued or even increased in the modern era.
So let’s take a look at Liverpool’s worst ever XI since the start of the Premier League:
Chris Kirkland (App: 45; 2001-2006):
England international Chris Kirkland gets the nod ahead of the likes of Charles Itandje and Peggy Arphexad due to the amount of time he spent at Anfield. In his 3 and half years with the club, Kirkland managed to make 45 appearances and was at times impressive but with the number of injuries that hit him, he was not able to earn any respect from the Anfield faithful while also losing his place in the England national squad.
Jan Kromkamp (App: 18; Goals:0; 2006)
Having made a swap deal move to Liverpool from Valencia in the place of Josemi, Kromkamp was never able to provide Liverpool with an assure performance. He was known for the lack of pace while his defensive discipline has also been questioned. He makes this team as he never managed to get back into the squad after Steven Finnan took over.
Mauricio Pellegrino (App: 12; Goals:0; 2005):
Making a move to Liverpool from La Liga, the Spanish national was never able to adjust to the pace of the Premier League and was a liability for most of the games he played as a cover for Sami Hyppia for Liverpool. The Reds were not interested in extending his contract past a half-year loan deal for the center back.
Djimi Traore (App: 141; Goals: 1; 1999-2006)
A cult hero in Liverpool for his performance for the side in his stint at Anfield, Djimi Traore’s Liverpool career is one of the biggest football mysteries. He won a number of trophies and medals with the club but was never a center back who gave the fans a sense of calm. He was nervous, easy to beat and was shaky at best. He also scored a number of own-goals that were also hilarious in their own way.
Paul Konchesky (App: 18; Goals: 0; 2010-2011)
One of the many players that plagued the Liverpool side under Roy Hodgson, the former England boss, Paul Konchesky was one of the worst. He was never able to keep his half of the field away from danger and was just not good enough for a club like Liverpool. He had loads of experience in the English league but failed to cope with the pressure and made out list as our left-back.
Antonio Nunez (Ap.: 27; Goals: 1; 2004-2005):
Having moved to Liverpool as a part of the deal that saw Michael Owen move to Real Madrid, the Spaniard only reminded the Liverpool fans of how they had to let go of one of the best strikers to have ever played for the club. His progress was hampered by injuries, but when he got his chance, he was nowhere near as good a player as Liverpool was in search for.
Christian Poulsen (App: 21; Goals: 0; 2010-2011)
Another of the players who moved to Liverpool in the Roy Hodgson era, Poulsen was just not able to keep up with the pace of the Premier League and was shipped off as soon as Hodgson lost his place at Anfield. He was painfully slow with everything he did in the middle and was one of the worst midfielders to have played for Liverpool.
Salif Diao (App: 37; Goals:1; 2002-2007):
A player who was hated by club captain Steven Gerrard, Salif Diao was not the best player to have played for the club in the Premier League. He was a midfielder who was supposed to provide Liveprool with some mettle in the middle of the park but he was often seen strolling during games. He was so out of form that Liverpool found it hard to even get rid of him in the end.
Alberto Acquilani (App: 28; Goals: 2; 2009-2012)
One of the costliest buys by Liverpool under Rafa Benitez, Acquilani made a move to the Merseyside £17m from AS Roma but was not able to prove his worth for even half that price. He was nowhere near the quality needed at a club like Liverpool and will go down as one of the worst transfer business in some time for the club.
Andy Carroll (App: 44; Goals:6; 2011-2013):
If only for his price, the club’s record buy in Andy Carroll is easily one of the least productive purchases for Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish bought Carroll and Luis Suarez to Anfield after Fernando Torres was shipped off to Chelsea but the big man was not able to lead Liverpool’s attacking line and moved on after just 44 appearances for the club. He is still Liverpool’s costliest buy and also one of their worst.
El Hadji Diouf (App: 80; Goals: 6; 2002-2004):
Having secured a move to Liverpool after an impressive time in the 2002 World Cup, Diouf soon became a liability for Liverpool. His antics on and off the ball were just not a fit at the Red of Merseyside and he will go down in history as one of the worst number.9’s for Liverpool. Gerard Houlier is responsible for his acquisition, one that he will not be proud of.