Playing for 90
Fansided

30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

By Benjamin Taylor

Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 31
Next

14. Liverpool, 2008-09

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mate Steven Gerrard (R) during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 8, 2009 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mate Steven Gerrard (R) during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on April 8, 2009 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Starting XI: J. Reina (GK); A. Arbeloa, J. Carragher, M. Skrtel, F. Aurelio; X. Alonso, J. Mascherano; D. Kuyt, S. Gerrard, Y. Benayoun; F. Torres.

Keegan’s Newcastle might be the greatest team not to win the league. But Liverpool’s 2008-09 would certainly give them a run for their money.

By 2008, Rafa Benitez had put together a wonderfully complete group of starters: Reina was a quality stopper; veteran defender Carragher was a rock at the back; both full backs balanced attack and defence brilliantly; Alonso and Mascherano were deservedly being compared to the finest midfield partnerships in world football, and the combination of Gerrard and Torres going forward was simply too much for opposing teams to cope with. With a pair of quality holding midfielders behind him, Gerrard could cut loose and drive at opposing defences, while Torres made his trademark runs in behind. Even Dirk Kuyt looked a class act on the right wing – or, at least, a world class nuisance.

They were worthy Champions League quarterfinalists, and were top of the league for much of the season. The main problem was a lack of depth, particularly in midfield. If either Alonso or Mascherano went down, there was a huge drop in quality to the next choice holding midfielder, Lucas (a capable player today, but still finding his feet as a Premier League player in 2008-09). The other little problem was the quality of the team that finished one place ahead of them, but more on that later.

Next: No. 13

Home/Premier League