Agger’s Injury Costs Liverpool the 2007-08 Premier League Championship

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Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez complained to the media about the absence of central-back Daniel Agger last season, which I think cost Liverpool the championship. Here’s what Benitez said: “We conceded goals at the end of games which finished as draws because Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher were playing too many games in a row. "We were using Jack Hobbs in some games and Alvaro Arbeloa as a centre-back; clearly we missed Daniel Agger. "He is a centre-back but good on the ball and a threat for the other team too. We missed Agger." Before I talk about how Agger’s absence affected Liverpool’s performance adversely. Let’s take a look at the matches Liverpool could have got a good result from in the 2007-08 Premier League: Liverpool 2:2 Tottenham Hotspur Hyypia & Carragher Reading 3:1 Liverpool Hobbs & Carragher Liverpool 0:1 Manchester United Hyypia & Carragher Liverpool 1:1 Wigan Arbeloa & Carragher Middlesbrough 1:1 Liverpool Hyypia & Carragher Liverpool 2:2 Aston Villa Hyypia & Carragher From the above we can see when Agger got injured, Liverpool only got two competent central defenders, Hyypia and Carragher. And Hyypia is a veteran, he cannot keep his form playing consecutive games. Rafa Benitez had to let Hyypia rest for a match. Then some problems occurred in the backline. Some mistake were made and they conceded goals which they could easily avoid with Agger’s presence. And Liverpool had the best Attacking talents. With Torres, Kuyt, Babel, Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, they could took advantages of the cleft in the opponent’s backline and score. And they had adequate bench players such as Crouch, Voronin, Benayoun, Pennant, Lucas Leiva. They could put on a strong challenge. After they have signed Skrtel, they began cruising. They beat Inter and Arsenal in the Champions League and the backline became more and more stable. Now Agger’s back and after the summer transfers, the squad will only get stronger. And don't forget they haven't won the title since 1990. Now they have won 18 times and Manchester won their 17th title last season. They can't let their Rival catch up with them. Liverpool is avid for winning the title this year.