Liverpool’s 2013 team v Souness’ 1993 Reds: which is worse?

With 26 games gone of the 2012/13 Premier League season, Liverpool have just 36 points on the board, their worst haul since the inaugural Premier League campaign 20 years earlier. In that season, the Reds had 34 points at the same stage, but how does the current crop compare with the less than vintage 1992/93 side? talkSPORT takes a look…

Goalkeepers
Pepe Reina may not be at the peak of his powers this season, but he's still preferable to the goalkeepers Liverpool fielded back in 1992/93. The Reds had signed 21-year-old David James for £1m and manager Graeme Souness threw him in at the deep end, playing 29 games, but despite his promise he was too raw to marshall a team in rapid decline. Veteran Bruce Grobbelaar and reserve Mike Hooper were also called upon in what was a torrid season for Liverpool, both being more convincing than current reserve Brad Jones, but Reina is undoubtedly a better 'keeper than the young James.
Verdict: Reina is number one in this head-to-head

Defence
The 1992/93 side conceded 55 goals in 42 Premier League games, at an average of 1.309 per game, while Brendan Rodgers team are fairing just a little better, currently averaging 1.307 goals conceded per match. Graeme Souness could boast plenty of experience at centre-back, with 31-year-old Steve Nicol – a four-time title winner – and 29-year-old England defender Mark Wright the most regular pairing and arguably better than Skrtel and Agger. Beyond those two, however, it was slim pickings, with Dane Torben Piechnik featuring in 16 games as he played his way into history as one of Liverpool's worst signings, while Steve Harkness and Nick Tanner hardly went down as Anfield greats, either. With Jamie Carragher still around, the 2013 side have more strength-in-depth, although Sebastian Coates is flirting with Piechnik territory.

At left-back, the 1993 selection of David Burrows and Stig Inge Bjornebye were no worse than the erratic Jose Enrique. In fact, it speaks volumes about Liverpool's current weakness in this area that Glen Johnson has been their best left-back this season. At right-back, in 1993 Liverpool could boast England's best in the shape of Rob Jones and he was probably more reliable defensively than Johnson.
Verdict: Nothing to choose between the two eras

Midfield
In 1993 Liverpool suffered from a lack of experience in midfield, with 19-year-old Jamie Redknapp pressed into action on 29 occasions; a big responsibility to bear for such a young midfielder and, in truth, he wasn't ready to perform at the level expected of a club that had won 11 titles in the past 19 years. On the right wing, 20-year-old Steve McManaman was a rare bright spot for the Reds, as he would be throughout the rest of the 1990s. Plying his trade on the left was the supremely talented John Barnes, although he was not at his best after suffering an achilles tendon injury at the back end of the 1991/92 season. Souness also regularly called upon 21-year-old Don Hutchison and 23-year-old Mike Marsh, both of whom were sold within a year, while £2.3m signing Paul Stewart – akin to spending around £20m these days – was a major flop, making his last appearance for Liverpool just over a year after arriving at Anfield.

By comparison, Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool have the vast experience of Steven Gerrard and the assured talent of Lucas to compliment the youthful likes of Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling. Stewart Downing has performed better in his second season, although that isn't saying much and he doesn't begin to compare to John Barnes.
Verdict: The Souness era had better wide men, but was atrocious in the centre of the park, so Gerrard and Lucas edge this for the 2013 team

Attack
The 1992/93 side averaged 1.47 goals per Premier League game, while the current team have averaged 1.69 per match to date, which is a reflection of 17-goal Luis Suarez's prowess. Two decades ago, Liverpool legend Ian Rush was still the club's leading light up front, scoring 14 league goals that season, but the Welshman was past his best. Mark Walters chipped in with 11 goals, however, which compares favourably with Fabio Borini's contribution (or lack of, when fit). Daniel Sturridge has added a new dimension to the Reds attack in 2013, with Kopites hoping he will take some of the burden away from their Uruguayan star.
Verdict: Suarez is a cut above the 1993 vintage Rushie and Sturridge promises to be at least as prolific as Mark Walters

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