Benitez thinks this Liverpool side is better than 2005 and he’s right
By David Gate
Ex-Reds boss Rafa Benitez believes this current Liverpool side to be better than his Champions League winning 2005 side. And he is absolutely right.
There is a tendency to romanticize the past; to look back upon previous Liverpool teams and achievements in the light of their success and forget all the times they frustrated or underwhelmed.
Many Liverpool fans look back on the side who won the Champions League in 2005 with awe and respect. They did the impossible. While that night in Istanbul was one the greatest – perhaps the best – nights in Liverpool history that side was not the best side. Not even close.
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One man who knows that’s true is Liverpool’s manager that night; Rafa Benitez. The ex-Reds boss was being interviewed this week about that night and stated that he feels this Liverpool side is better than the one that lifted the trophy 13 years ago.
And he is 100% right. Look at the eleven that started that night against Istanbul: Jerzy Dudek; Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Djimi Traore; Luis Garcia, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise; Harry Kewell; Milan Baros.
Only Carragher, Hyypia, Gerrard and Alonso deserve time in today’s team. Garcia and Riise would probably fin their way to the bench.
That side was defensively sound – apart from the first half of the final – but they struggled to find goals. Jurgen Klopp’s team have no problem finding the net; they are the record-breaking scorers in a Champions League season.
However they could do with either Carragher or Hyypia to partner Virgil van Dijk. And Stevie and Xabi would walk into this – actually, any – Liverpool side.
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That 2005 side was not even the best team of Benitez’ time at Liverpool. The side with Reina, Kuyt, Mascherano and Agger that got to the final in 2007 was better. The team that came second in the 2008/09 season was also superior with Torres leading the line. But there is only one way for Klopp’s side to go from fan favorites to legends; beat Real Madrid and bring home the sixth European cup.