Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the return of fellow centre-back Daniel Agger could be the biggest signing of the pre-season for the Reds.
With two new full-backs from the continent and a new goalkeeper already recruited plus a couple of big money signings from the Premier League seemingly on their way, much has been made of Rafael Benitez’s transfer targets this summer.
But Carragher reckons the biggest “addition” to the squad at Liverpool next season could be the return of Danish international Agger.
The lofty Dane was missing from Liverpool’s ranks for the vast majority of the 2007/08 campaign which saw the team eventually fall short of their silverware ambitions both at home and abroad.
The £5.8m signing from Brondby made a major impact following his arrival on Merseyside in January 2006 and went on to make 43 appearances in his first full season in 2006/07.
However, a metatarsal injury ended his season early last campaign and the problem niggled with the player for many months.
But with Agger’s injury woes seemingly now behind him, Carragher, the most experienced defender at Anfield, believes that the Dane’s return could be crucial as Liverpool embark on what could be a watershed season as they look to end a wait of what would be 19 years for their 19th league title and in doing so prevent Manchester United from equalling their record haul.
He said: “It’s been really tough for Daniel. He was a big miss for us last season and we’re delighted to have him back.
“He’s a great player but there are a lot of good players in a lot of different positions fighting for a place now.
“We’ve got a big squad but we need to keep everyone fit.”
With four centre-backs with international experience now in place at Anfield, Benitez has looked to strengthen the wide areas of his defence this summer by bringing in new full-backs on both the right and left sides.
Although 25-year-old right-back Philipp Degen has arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, he brings with him the pedigree of 29 caps for Switzerland.
On the opposite flank, Andrea Dossena replaced the Roma-bound John Arne Riise, who joined the Reds from Serie A side Udinese for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £7m, eclipsing Liverpool’s previous transfer record for a defender.
In the last game on Tuesday, a goalless draw with Budesliga club Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion, Benitez used two entirely different back fours in each half with Stephen Darby, Emiliano Insua, Carragher and Agger making way for Degen, Dossena, Sami Hyypia and Martin Skrtel at the interval.
The switch gave Carragher the ideal opportunity to see his new team-mates in action and he is pleased with their integration into the side both on and off the pitch so far this summer.
He said: “I think the two new lads at full-back (Degen and Dossena) have done very well.
“The pre-season has been a time for them to get to know everyone really, not just from a football point of view but off the pitch too.
“It’s been a period in which we’ve been integrating the new players and they’ve settled in very well,” the defender added.
The game in the German capital saw Benitez hand the coveted number nine jersey to another Spaniard, with 17-year-old Danny Pacheco deputising for compatriot Fernando Torres.
And the young Spaniard certainly did not disappoint in his performance.
Carragher said: “Danny Pachecho was as good as anyone on the trip. He’s been superb.
“He’s always looked like a great one for the future but we might not have to wait too long, because the way he’s playing he looks like he could be a great one for right now.”
As a player who is well-known for being a keen student of the game, Carragher is pleased with the way Liverpool have progressed so far this summer, and he was delighted to captain the club for which he has played his entire career in such a historic stadium, in front of a crowd of more than 50,000.
He said: “It felt more like a proper game than a friendly to see the big crowd in a great stadium where the last World Cup final was played.
“It think that we did all right and we finished the tour well. After a few days back at Melwood we’re going to be looking forward to the other games.”
“Things have progressed over the past couple of weeks from a fitness point of view – that’s always the way in pre-season. You build things up slowly and as we get fitter now towards the start of the season, the games are becoming more difficult.”
With two new full-backs from the continent and a new goalkeeper already recruited plus a couple of big money signings from the Premier League seemingly on their way, much has been made of Rafael Benitez’s transfer targets this summer.
But Carragher reckons the biggest “addition” to the squad at Liverpool next season could be the return of Danish international Agger.
The lofty Dane was missing from Liverpool’s ranks for the vast majority of the 2007/08 campaign which saw the team eventually fall short of their silverware ambitions both at home and abroad.
The £5.8m signing from Brondby made a major impact following his arrival on Merseyside in January 2006 and went on to make 43 appearances in his first full season in 2006/07.
However, a metatarsal injury ended his season early last campaign and the problem niggled with the player for many months.
But with Agger’s injury woes seemingly now behind him, Carragher, the most experienced defender at Anfield, believes that the Dane’s return could be crucial as Liverpool embark on what could be a watershed season as they look to end a wait of what would be 19 years for their 19th league title and in doing so prevent Manchester United from equalling their record haul.
He said: “It’s been really tough for Daniel. He was a big miss for us last season and we’re delighted to have him back.
“He’s a great player but there are a lot of good players in a lot of different positions fighting for a place now.
“We’ve got a big squad but we need to keep everyone fit.”
With four centre-backs with international experience now in place at Anfield, Benitez has looked to strengthen the wide areas of his defence this summer by bringing in new full-backs on both the right and left sides.
Although 25-year-old right-back Philipp Degen has arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, he brings with him the pedigree of 29 caps for Switzerland.
On the opposite flank, Andrea Dossena replaced the Roma-bound John Arne Riise, who joined the Reds from Serie A side Udinese for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £7m, eclipsing Liverpool’s previous transfer record for a defender.
In the last game on Tuesday, a goalless draw with Budesliga club Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion, Benitez used two entirely different back fours in each half with Stephen Darby, Emiliano Insua, Carragher and Agger making way for Degen, Dossena, Sami Hyypia and Martin Skrtel at the interval.
The switch gave Carragher the ideal opportunity to see his new team-mates in action and he is pleased with their integration into the side both on and off the pitch so far this summer.
He said: “I think the two new lads at full-back (Degen and Dossena) have done very well.
“The pre-season has been a time for them to get to know everyone really, not just from a football point of view but off the pitch too.
“It’s been a period in which we’ve been integrating the new players and they’ve settled in very well,” the defender added.
The game in the German capital saw Benitez hand the coveted number nine jersey to another Spaniard, with 17-year-old Danny Pacheco deputising for compatriot Fernando Torres.
And the young Spaniard certainly did not disappoint in his performance.
Carragher said: “Danny Pachecho was as good as anyone on the trip. He’s been superb.
“He’s always looked like a great one for the future but we might not have to wait too long, because the way he’s playing he looks like he could be a great one for right now.”
As a player who is well-known for being a keen student of the game, Carragher is pleased with the way Liverpool have progressed so far this summer, and he was delighted to captain the club for which he has played his entire career in such a historic stadium, in front of a crowd of more than 50,000.
He said: “It felt more like a proper game than a friendly to see the big crowd in a great stadium where the last World Cup final was played.
“It think that we did all right and we finished the tour well. After a few days back at Melwood we’re going to be looking forward to the other games.”
“Things have progressed over the past couple of weeks from a fitness point of view – that’s always the way in pre-season. You build things up slowly and as we get fitter now towards the start of the season, the games are becoming more difficult.”
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