Well said Juan. What strikes me as weird is we have such a strong tradition of building our team aroung top-notch CB's. Much like United today we didn't have the biggest stars (in the Best, Lineker, Robson or Platini, Mattheus sense if you follow) during the 80's. Yet we picked up title after title. My favorite LFC player growing up was always Hansen.
Even my manc mate says without such a solid and stable back-4 they don't have a team for the top-4. It breaks my heart to see us splash out some 18-20 million on a pretty average Downing while simultaneously neglecting the fact our back-4 is probably bottom 5 in the PL. I respect Kenny but I do think his extreme focus on offensive players will only serve to make the team/squad heavily imbalanced (much as it has been, altho for other reasons, under GH and Rafa).
Firstly:- Downing is not average. He is not world class either and neither will he ever be. But what he would provide us with is width on the left flank, speed and pace, a great delivery plus his shooting is excellent. He would provide us much needed balance in midfield and I for one hope we sign him.
Secondly:- Kenny IS NOT neglecting our defence. We WILL sign a centre back and a left back. Either Aly Cissokho or Jose Enrique will be signed for the left back slot. I have been told by reliable sources that we are looking abroad for central defenders.
We are definitely interested in centre backs. We have either enquired or bid for these central defenders:-
Scott Dann
Christian Zapata
Dejan Lovren
Mamadou Sakho
Gary Cahill
Either they asked for too much wages (Cahill wants £100,000 p/w!!!), the club asked for too much money (Sakho and Lovren) or enquired but our interested waivered (Dann and Zapata).
So the defence will be replenished with a left back and a centre back definitely.
Johnson's defending has improved 10 fold under the tutelage of Steve Clarke and was very impressive at the left back position. But in his natural position of right back Johnson will only better for the coaching clarke gives him. Plus with Kelly (a better defender) down his throat battling for that position, then for me we are very much sorted at right back for the future. Not taking into account the young Flanagan who has a bright future, so for the next 10 years the right back slot is definitely sorted.
Left back we need the new player to come in. Once he does we will have Aurelio and Robinson backing him up, plus Johnson could play there now too. Not discounting Insua as I don't know what will happen to him.
Centrally it is a bit of a concern. Agger is our best defender but is continually injured. Either next season this improves or he will probably be shipped out in January. However let's see what our new fitness team can do for him. Carra has to now slowly wind down his career, however for the big games there is no other defender that I would want than him. Without doubt he is a big game defender as he never hides and is always making a noise of himself. However his game time should reduce. Skrtel is definitely a liability, though Clarke has improved him too and he was more solid towards the end of the season, he is too prone to mistakes and we need to replace him. However I think Kenny will give him lots of game time next season.
Therefore I see our new central defenders next season as the new centre back next to carra for the big games and either Agger or Skrtel for the other games.
But in Wisdom and Coady we are sorted for the future too. Both will be immense players for us at the back.
I'd hazard the new backline next season then to be:-
----Johnson--------Carra/Agger/Skrtel---------New CB---------New LB