Season 2011/2012 Awards

As the season has finally reached a conclusion I look back at what has been an eventful campaign and hand out awards for player of the season and young player of the season, while determining the best and worst games of the campaign as well as the goal of the season.

Player of the Season- Martin Skrtel

The clean-shaven Slovakian's reputation for no-nonsense defending and tough tackling was vindicated by his terrific displays this season. The seemingly ever-present Skrtel, who made 45 appearances for the Reds, has been the crucial bedrock of our defence.

Not only have his personal performances been world class, his guidance and marshalling of the back four meant that Liverpool conceded just 40 goals in the League, a figure bettered only by the Manchester sides. Moreover, his partnership with Daniel Agger has blossomed, as the Dane's ability to bring the ball out from the back is fittingly complemented by the defensive stability provided by the number 37. Although it is disappointing to see Jamie Carragher's Liverpool career slowly wind down, that centre back pairing will surely be preferable in the long term.

A flag at the FA Cup final whimsically joked, "Martin Skrtel is so hard he asked for a Big Mac in Burger King and got one." That demonstrates the affinity Skrtel has developed with the supporters, who have appreciated his determination, courage and commitment, principles which all accord with the traditions of the famed Liverpool Way.

Luis Suarez has dazzled the Kop with his trickery and the aforementioned Agger has excelled as well, but Martin Skrtel wins Red and Proud's Player of the Season award for the consistently top-quality performances he has produced throughout the campaign.

Young Player of the Season- Jonjo Shelvey

After returning from an impressive loan spell at Blackpool following Lucas' season-ending injury against Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-final, Shelvey has continued to progress at Anfield and has drawn attention with some accomplished performances.

While at the Seasiders Shelvey bagged six goals from 10 Championship matches, including a hat trick against Leeds United. As a result, the eccentric and entertaining Blackpool boss Ian Holloway was desperate to keep the former Charlton star.

Since returning to Merseyside, Shelvey has made 16 appearances for Liverpool, scoring twice, most notably against Chelsea, where his superb strike from distance caught out the Blues' keeper Ross Turnbull and sealed a confidence-boosting win for the Reds. Tenacious and attack minded, Shelvey is able to ping a pass with pinpoint accuracy and is never afraid of marauding forward to threaten the opposition's defence. He may need a little work on the defensive side of his game, but if the 20-year old continues to improve he should soon be an important member of Liverpool's first team.


Goal of the Season- Sebastian Coates vs. Queens Park Rangers

The young Uruguayan scored a sensational scissor kick to open the scoring at Loftus Road in the middle of March. A right wing corner was contested in the penalty area and eventually fell to Coates, whose world-class acrobatic finish found the back of Paddy Kenny's net. It was a goal an experienced striker would have been proud of, let alone a 21-year old centre back.

Suarez's lobbed effort from the halfway line to complete his hat trick against Norwich was a close contender for this prize, but the fact that a goal of such quality from Coates was so unexpected tipped it in his favour. One thing's for certain; Coates won't quickly forget his first goal in England, and neither will we.




Best Game of the Season- Liverpool 2-2 Cardiff City (AET- LFC won 3-2 on penalties)

Liverpool's first trophy in six years was collected in typically nervy, unpredictable and yet exciting and undeniably entertaining circumstances. After beating the likes of Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City to reach the Carling Cup final, the Reds fell behind early on at Wembley, as Joe Mason gave Cardiff the lead against the run of play.

Thankfully, following our usual below par first half display in a Cup final, Skrtel equalised soon after the break, before Kuyt's instinctive strike gave the Merseysiders what seemed an unassailable lead in extra time. However, the Bluebirds' Ben Turner scrambled home from a corner kick at the death to send the game to a penalty shootout.

When Heaton made a world class save from Gerrard's spot kick and Adam's abysmal effort flew over the bar, many Liverpool supporters thought it just wasn't going to be our day. Fortunately, Miller and Gestede missed as well, before Steven Gerrard's brother Anthony failed to convert the decisive penalty. As a result, Liverpool clinched a record eighth League Cup.


Worst Game of the Season- Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Liverpool would have taken three wins out of four matches against Chelsea at the start of the season. Frustratingly, the most important game, the FA Cup final, was the one the Reds lost.

Mistakes from Jay Spearing, Jose Enrique and Pepe Reina allowed Ramires to give the Blues an early lead. Roberto Di Matteo's men then proceeded to dominate the contest for the first hour, as Didier Drogba scored yet again at Wembley to double the Londoners' advantage.

The introduction of Andy Carroll, who should have started, proved pivotal. The tall number nine grabbed a goal to halve the deficit soon after replacing Spearing, before he was at the heart of the game's most controversial incident. He powerfully headed Suarez's chipped cross towards goal, only for Cech to somehow make an excellent save and push the ball against the underside of the bar. A furore ensued about whether the ball had crossed the line or not but the officials ruled in Chelsea's favour and Liverpool slipped to a disappointing defeat.

A win would have secured a domestic cup double and glossed over the Reds' poor League form but, without the FA Cup in the Anfield trophy cabinet, the 2011/2012 season soberingly can't be seen as successful.

YNWA