I was wondering whether Arbeloa was just rafa-tated or whether there was another reason for his absence ?

He seemed like good value, back when Liverpool were a CS machine and back when he was a permanent fixture in an otherwise volatile team. If, however, he is liable to be rested or has fallen out of favour, then he needs to go. Too expensive for my bench ...

Presume Finnan is the logical choice of replacement?

Ok, I just saw that a similar thread has started on TFF, doh!

http://www.fiso.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... ht=arbeloa

Arbeloa was out of the squad initially because he suffered a thigh injury. However, I reckon he did not play v Blackburn because Rafa was saving him for tonight's game.

Rafa brought in fresh full backs for this match to blunt their opponents attacking threat while giving an attacking option going forward. Indeed, Arbeloa was employed as a right winger for most of the first half - and he did a good job at it too.

So I'd say he was out of last weekend's game because of Rafa-rotation. Only safe Liverpool defender options are Carragher and Reina, IMO.

(URkiddingMe wrote - and this is my 600th post - time flies)

Agger when hes back too.

True, but there's still the chance of the odd rafa-rotation with Hyppia.

Cheers guys!

Not really what I wanted to hear, but it helps.

Very difficult to justify the 7m on carra, IMHO. My back-line is pretty handy as it :
Ferdinand, Gallas, Arbeloa, Laursen and Upson.

Guess I'll persist with Arbeloa for now ...
... with the option of switching to a city (dunne or garrido) or blackburn defender (emerton) or perhaps lescott or even evra.

Depends on cashflow and Rafa ...