Was defence the achilles heel of Liverpool FC under Roy Evans?
I remember the Evans era alright and that certainly was a problem. The problem with the defenders that you mentioned is not one of ability but the fact that they were hardly ever fit. David James behind them didn’t help either as he’s the most dodgy English keeper I’ve ever seen. Also Evans bought very poorly at the back, remember Julian Dicks!!!? Today our centre backs remain a huge problem. Carra is finished, he’s been turned inside out in some matches, Skertel had a great start but he too has looked shaky, Agger is def the best but he is a croc & if he gets injured again this season then he’ll never get going. Everywhere else on the pitch Liverpool are top notch. I find it funny how Houllier created one of the most inventive and meanest back 4 Liverpool had seen since Hansen & co. Finnan, Hyypia, Carra & Riise were the best of that prem generation. Why Rafa hasn’t replaced the centre backs is baffling!!
If I remember I think Evans used to like playing three centre backs and two wing backs which was a problem we scored plenty but let in plenty. Bjornebye was quality and I honestly think we need someone like him the same with Ruddock he was a hard tackeling defender who attackers hated coming up against. McAteer did a job he could tackle and went foward a lot.