Over the last few weeks, the team at Last Word on Football has delivered its team of the decade series where you can read about some wonderful squads. But, this article is the opposite of those. It will present the worst players and managers to grace the ranks of Liverpool from 2010-2019.
While the Reds have enjoyed some great years under current manager Jurgen Klopp, the start of the decade was filled with disappointing midtable finishes and a Roy Hodgson horror show.
From record signings that failed to players who cost Liverpool FC enormously in key moments, this is the worst team of the decade.
Liverpool’s Worst Team of the Decade
Manager – Roy Hodgson
This is, without a doubt, the easiest choice on the list. Appointed after leading Fulham to relative success, the Englishman did nothing right with Liverpool. His signings were flops (many are on this list) and he led the Reds to disaster after disaster before eventually being sacked.
Some lowlights include being knocked out of the League Cup by Northampton Town and getting dominated by Everton en route to a 2-0 defeat – a game that Hodgson referred to as “our best performance of the season.” Suffice to say, his dour brand of football hasn’t been missed by supporters.
Formation – 4-4-2
Another Hodgson reference, the 4-4-2 was a formation that the Englishman refused to change. An ode to his stubbornness, it reflected an age that he was stuck in. It also did nothing to help get the best out of players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. A perfect choice for this list.
Goalkeeper – Loris Karius
While he may not have been the worst goalkeeper to find himself between the sticks, Loris Karius made two horrendous mistakes on the biggest of stages.
Facing Real Madrid in the Champions League final, Karius had two hands on the ball and had to simply roll it out to a teammate. He did the exact opposite and instead found Karim Benzema who deflected his horrendous clearance into the net. The German then fumbled a straight forward Gareth Bale shot into his net to complete the humiliation.
Karius was loaned out to Turkish side Besiktas following his errors and looks unlikely to ever return to Liverpool.
Right Back – Philip Degen
While Philip Degen hardly played for Liverpool, he makes this list as no one was worse than him. While he was injured for most of his time with the Reds, when he did play, he was like a deer in the headlights. Indeed, in his first away Premier League start, Degen was sent off as Liverpool lost 3-1 to Fulham. It never improved and he was sold in 2011. He last played for Basel in his native Switerzland in 2016.
Centre Back – Sebastien Coates
Sebastian Coates was heralded as the next big thing. After winning the Young Player of the Tournament at the Copa America, the Uruguayan was expected to anchor Liverpool’s defence for the foreseeable future. It never happened for him and despite his giant stature (standing at an 1.96m), he simply couldn’t adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. He currently plays for Sporting CP in Portugal.
Centre Back – Sotirios Kyrgiakos
Sotirios Kyrgiakos was never meant to be a Liverpool regular. Bought as a backup, he played more games than anyone could have predicted due to Daniel Agger’s inability to stay fit. The veteran was shaky, error-prone and did little to help with Liverpool’s defensive woes. He retired in 2014.
Left Back – Paul Konchesky
This wouldn’t be the worst team of Liverpool’s decade without including Paul Konchesky. The left-back joined from Fulham in 2010 and was dreadful. He was one of the main reasons for Liverpool’s terrible form under Hodgson. There wasn’t even one performance of his that justified his purchase.
Despite this, according to his mother, Liverpool fans were at fault for her son’s form. Carole Konchesky branded the club’s supporters as “dirty scousers” and “clueless morons” in a stunning Facebook post where she defended her son’s play. The left-back retired in 2018.
Right Midfield – Joe Cole
Rarely has a player disappointed as much as Joe Cole. Liverpool fans were over the moon when the club captured the former Chelsea man on a free transfer. Captain Steven Gerrard even said that the England man was better than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in an interview with the Match of the Day magazine.
Cole started his Liverpool career by being sent off against Arsenal and it hardly got better. His most notable act was to delay Hodgson’s sacking by one game with a late winner. Other than that, he was unfit and it became abundantly clear why Chelsea hadn’t offered him a new contract. His astronomical wages also guaranteed that Liverpool were financially hamstrung in the transfer market. All in all, he was one of the club’s most disappointing signings. He is currently a coach in Chelsea’s academy.
Centre Midfield – Christian Poulsen
Staring on the right of centre midfield is Christan Poulsen. Another one of Hodgon’s signings, Poulsen was way past his best when Liverpool signed him. The Dane had some talent, but he was blighted with injuries and didn’t have the fitness to play in the Premier League. He retired in 2015.
Centre Midfield – Charlie Adam
Signed from a relegated Blackpool side, Charlie Adam was supposed to take some of the creative burden off Steven Gerrard. He failed to do that. Instead, he will be remembered for his wayward long passing and his poor fitness. Adam wasn’t a bad player, he just should have never played for a club with Liverpool’s ambitions. He currently plays for Reading in the Championship.
Left Midfield – Stewart Downing
Like Joe Cole on the right, Stewart Downing was an enormous disappointment. Downing joined Liverpool after an impressive season with Aston Villa and was expected to provide consistent service to the club’s strikers. Yet, in his debut season, he didn’t even have one assist or one goal. He improved slightly the following year but failed to live up to a hefty transfer fee. He currently plays for Blackburn Rovers.
Striker – Andy Carroll
There is hardly a bigger disappointment in Liverpool’s history than Andy Carroll. The big Geordie was signed as a Fernando Torres replacement on the last day of a crazy January transfer deadline day. Despite an incredible debut against Manchester City where he scored twice, the Englishman failed to live up to a record transfer fee. He was given plenty of opportunities and he only scored six goals for the club. Carroll is now a lesson for all clubs what happens when a panic buy is made. He has since returned to Newcastle United.
Striker – Christian Benteke
While Carroll was unproven, few players have come to Anfield with the reputation of Christian Benteke and failed. The Belgian was incredible for Aston Villa, scoring 42 goals in 89 games. He was a particular terror against Liverpool as he always seemed to score when playing the Reds. Most memorably, he was unplayable as Villa knocked out Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final.
Yet, all that seemed to disappear as he joined the Reds. He seemed lost on the pitch and didn’t have any chemistry with his teammates. Despite being the club-record signing at the time, he only scored nine goals. He currently plays for Crystal Palace, where his struggles have continued.
Substitutes
Here are four more players that could have made the team.
Milan Jovanovic – The Serb was signed on a free transfer and that was arguably too much money. He is currently retired.
Alberto Aquilani – The Italian was supposed to be one of Liverpool’s next great midfielders. Instead, he was constantly injured and failed to make any sort of impact. He is currently retired.
Adam Bogdan – He conceded a goal straight from a corner against Exeter City. Must anything else be said? He currently plays for Hibernian.
Mario Balotelli – He scored a few nice penalties and did hardly anything else – he also seemed incapable of running. He currently plays for Brescia.
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