Is This The Surprise Player To Fill Leiva’s Boots?

Lucas Leiva’s 6 month injury has been a big blow to Liverpool, and Kenny Dalglish has a selection dilemma ahead of Liverpool’s first game without the Brazilian defensive midfielder.

Now the question is, who could fill that gap left by Leiva? Names such as Jay Spearing, Jordan Henderson and even Jonjo Shelvey (whom Liverpool have just recently recalled from a loan spell with Blackpool), have been brought up, but all lack one aspect of being a defensive midfielder, with Jordan Henderson and Jonjo Shelvey, in my point of view, not ready to take on this role.

Jay Spearing, as eager and energetic he is, lacks the proper experience and the game time to be successful in the Barclays Premier League. He perhaps lacks in passing sharpness, especially that compared to the passing of Lucas Leiva, whom was accurate in distribution and simple in execution. Perhaps tackling wise has the most comfort playing in the defensive midfielder role compared to anyone else, but not ready to make that step up unless huge improvements are made to refining his game.

Jonjo Shelvey and Jordan Henderson are very much the same mould of player. Shelvey is the goal scoring attacking midfielder, whilst Henderson is the playmaking attacking midfielder. Both have been touted as the ‘Next Steven Gerrard’ around Anfield, but lack in their tackling ability. Both don’t have the experience to play the role of ‘destroyer’, intercepting and tackling players, with the forte of both players being in their passing game.

So, that’s why I bring up my argument now, why not we bring forward Daniel Agger as a defensive midfielder? Here’s another argument bringing forth Agger’s chances as DM for Liverpool FC. He is good with his tackling and is decent with his passing as well, so he shouldn’t be written off as a possible defensive midfielder.

He brings the ball forward well and even has a wicked long shot in his left foot. Not to mention a more than adequate replacement at centre back in Jamie Carragher, and we perhaps have the winning formula for when Lucas isn’t around.