Daniel Agger seems to be one of those defenders who offers plenty of potential without ever quite managing to deliver on the Fantasy front. Despite his ability on the ball and regular goal threat, the big Dane disappoints when it comes to racking up returns but the installation of Brendan Rodgers may just prove the catalyst in a turnaround in fortunes for the former Brondby man next term:
A couple of goals in pre-season last time round suggested Agger was gearing up for a solid campaign under Kenny Dalglish. Priced at 6.0 he was a real differential at the back, due to new signing Jose Enrique’s valuation of 5.0 but, after four back-to-back 90 minute appearances at the start of the season, Agger sustained a rib injury in Gameweek 5 against Spurs and spent the next few weeks on the sidelines.
Returning to the first-team in Gameweek 10, Agger missed just one more league match up till Gameweek 25 but another rib injury – picked up in the Carling Cup Final win over Cardiff – once again curtailed his game time. Dalglish handed Jamie Carragher a chance alongside Martin Skrtel at centre-half in the Dane’s absence but Agger made an immediate impact upon his return by notching back-to-back assists against Villa and Blackburn as his manager eased him back into action from the bench.
A goal against Chelsea in the final home game of the season was Agger’s solitary strike of the entire campaign and, with a trio of assists, nine clean sheets and five bonus points also accrued, he finished on a mere 95 points. A far cry from his best-ever haul of 131 back in 2006-07 and a full 27 points behind Liverpool’s best defensive option, Pepe Reina.
The Prospects
Rodgers’ arrival at Anfield will certainly have Fantasy managers reassessing Liverpool’s backline options after the extraordinary returns of the Swansea defence under the Irishman last season. The Welsh outfit chalked up 14 clean sheets, with their possession-based game proving vital in nullifying the threat of opponents, and if the new boss can quickly implement his style of play, the omens look good.
Liverpool’s disappointing campaign suggests their players’ prices are unlikely to rise across the Fantasy games – a valuation of 6.0 seems on the cards for Agger once again but if he can stay injury-free, the 2012/13 campaign could finally see him flourish. The Dane is the prototype Rodgers defender; comfortable in possession, he’ll be expected to bring the ball out from the back, with Rodgers’ style of play calling for plenty of possession from his centre-halves.
Intriguingly, further analysis of Liverpool’s defensive returns highlights how important Agger is at the back; the Reds recorded nine clean sheets in the 23 league games he managed 60+ minutes in last term, compared to just three clean sheets in the other 15 fixtures – a clear example of his influence.
Looking at opening the fixtures, though, there will be some hesitancy amongst Fantasy managers when considering Liverpool’s assets. Rodgers has been handed a difficult start to his time in charge at Merseyside, with City, Arsenal and United the first three visitors to Anfield next term. Factor in trips to West Brom and Sunderland in the opening five Gameweeks and the majority will be willing to take a step back and watch how matters progress before perhaps taking the plunge around the Gameweek 6 mark, when Liverpool’s schedule undoubtedly takes a turn for the good.
