People often scoff at Benitez "not knowing his first team", but how many of us can honestly say we have 11 out-right standalone players who they'd play every week? And even then, we sure as hell wouldn't agree between us i don't think.

Anyway, out of interest, what is Liverpool's 'first XI' (if such a thing exists)?

Assuming we're going 4-4-2:

---------------------------Reina--------------------------

-----Arbeloa----Carragher------Agger------Aurelio----

----Benayoun---Gerrard-----Mascherano---Kewell----

-------------------Torres---------Babel------------------

Subs being: Itandje, Hyypia, Alonso, Voronin/Kuyt, Crouch.

Finnan would for me give way to Arbeloa and Aurelio. The former is far better (even if impressive on the left) in his natural position, whilst the latter is our only natural left-sided fullback.

Benayoun ahead of Pennant. I like Pennant and think if he was more consistent he'd be first choice, but as it is Yossi's a greater goal threat and a class player with a lot of skill.

Mascherano ahead of Alonso. A very tight one - Alonso on his day would probably edge it for me though, for his passing. In the tough matches i'd rather have Mascherano though, for the steel he offers - he's also got a great air about him when in tense situations, like a world class player should. I struggle to choose between the two though, as Xabi offers us so much creativity. I'd rather have Alonso on the bench though to bring on, than a more defensive Masch.

Babel in attack ahead of Crouch/Voronin/Kuyt. He clearly isn't a winger so shouldn't be played there - he's much more threatening in attack and i'd like to see him play as the second striker off of Torres. He has so much potential to really take this league by storm, but he'll only do that in his natural position. I don't like Crouch playing with Torres either, as neither will drop off; and i don't think Voronin or Kuyt are quite good enough to match the class of Ryan, although it'd be close as they do offer a lot.

It means leaving Finnan, Pennant, Leiva, Sissoko, Riise and one of Voronin or Kuyt out of the squad though, so that's why we should never have one set 11 (or 16).

I'm interested as to what other people's (fans and non-fans a-like) would be..

this would be the team:
Reina
Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

Benayoun Gerrard Mascherano Babel

Torres (Kuyt, Crouch or Voronin)


The partner for Torres doesn't really matter

---------------------Reina

-Finnan----Carragher----Agger----Riise----

------------------Mascherano-----------------

---Pennant---Alonso----Gerrard---Babel----


---------------------Torres----------

Reina obviously first choice, no questions there.

Carragher & Agger, very strong, good in the air, comfortable with the ball and no nonsense centre halves.

Riise & Finnan at left and right back for pure drive to go forward and attack teams also they both keep width and don't venture out of position, both very disciplined and good all round defenders.

Pennant and Babel for the same reasons as above, keep the width, look for openings and can provide killers passes and balls into the box, both very quick and attack minded.

Mascherano is for me one of the best at what he does, its not pretty or nice but he wins the ball time after time and starts alot of attacks.

Alonso and Gerrard for me is a dream midfield pair, both tackle well, look for balls forward, can provide a deft touch to set a goal up or even score themselves, neither can score a tap in they love the spectacular and for me on their day are 2 of the best in the world.

Torres...What can i say??? The new hero of The Kop!!!
21 goals already in his first season, lighting quick, good touch, unpredicatable and scores such a variety of goals. Gives defenders a nightmare and when he occasionly has a bad game you do do know he has been on the pitch either by chasing lost causes or creating chances.
The boy will be a world beater IMO

---------------------Reina

-Finnan----Carragher----Agger----Riise----

------------------Mascherano-----------------

---Benayoun---Lucas----Gerrard---Babel----


---------------------Torres----------

Reina
Finn Skrtel/Dagger Carra Airelio
masch alonso
Benayoun Stevie Babel
Torres
With Pennant coming on for Babel when he plays shocking like against Blackburn
Against the good teams

Reina
Finn Skrtel/Dagger Carra Aurelio
Babel(Pennant option as above) Lucas Stevie Kewell
Benayoun
Torres
Against the bad teams
And against the uber shocking teams we can play Plessis, Hobbs, El Zhar(for Benayoun) Peltier or Anderson but not in the cups.

-------------------------------Reina

------Arbeloa-------Carragher---Agger---------Riise

--------------------Mascherano---Alonso

------------------------------Gerrard
-----Benayoun------------------------------------Babel

-------------------------------Torres

It's quite interesting how our side can change over a season. When we began against Aston Villa it was something like:

----------------------- Reina ----------------------

--- Finnan ---- Carra ---- Agger -- Arbeloa ---

-- Pennant -- Gerrard -- Alonso ---- Riise ----

---------------- Torres ---- Kuyt ----------------


Now it's pretty much undisputed in the 4-2-3-1. But i'd have:

----------------------- Reina ----------------------

--- Carra ---- Skrtel ------ Agger --- Aurelio --

--------------- Masch ----- Alonso ---------------

--- Babel ---------- Gerrard --------- Modric ---

---------------------- Torres ---------------------


Oh, and i took it upon myself to sign Luka Modric. Kuyt would be on the right and Babel on the left as we are now though.