 EXACTLY 12 months ago this column’s postbag bulged. Nothing to do with belated Christmas cards or even early birthday wishes (Sunday, in case you’re interested, and Lagavulin is fine, thank you). No, it was the unveiling of the Everpool team for 2006 which caused the traditionally lively response. Those that disagree usually provide a humorous response, some point out what I can do with my selections and some of those suggestions are medically possible. But only one player took me to task over his omission, and he’s back in this year – in a period when selection has been harder than ever. The squads on both sides of Stanley Park are as strong as they have been for years – and only four players from last December’s team keep their places. So, donning the hard hat – and based on performances in 2007, remember – my combined Everton and Liverpool team was: GOALKEEPER ALL too often the most difficult position to choose. This year it’s almost impossible. You can slide a razor blade between the performances of Pepe Reina and Tim Howard throughout 2007. Both are outstanding shot-stoppers, both command their penalty area and both take crosses confidently (a quality Reina has added to his game). Heck, they even distribute the ball equally well. But Howard endured one dodgy afternoon in 2007 – the FA Cup defeat by Blackburn – while REINA was almost faultless. And his penalty saving record is also better, which just gives him the edge. RIGHT BACK IT’S been a shoo-in for years for Steve Finnan, but not this year. Missing for much of the autumn through injury, and also large chunks of April, he has been replaced at club level, and in the Everpool team by an eternally under-rated Spaniard. ALVARO ARBELOA is quick, snappy in the tackle, quick to support attacks and precise in his distribution. This latter quality pushes him ahead of the inspirational Phil Neville and the terrier-like Tony Hibbert. CENTRE BACKS DANIEL AGGER and Joleon Lescott are two of the best centre-backs in the country, but neither makes it in . . . at least not in their preferred position. Agger’s injury problems (no appearance since September 15), and Lescott’s versatility, coupled with a lack of available left-backs, creates a couple of vacancies. JAMIE CARRAGHER has been consistency personified throughout 2007, while JOSEPH YOBO missed just five matches throughout the year. As a pair they offer pace, reading of the game, power, a guarantee of clean sheets . . . and the chance to use Lescott elsewhere. LEFT BACK LEIGHTON Baines and Fabio Aurelio have offered us tantalising glimpses of what might be, but injuries have prevented them appearing often enough to claim a place in the Everpool XI. LESCOTT is not just consistent, he’s versatile enough to claim a place in his second best position. John Arne Riise? A previous Everpool player, he has endured a year to forget – one glorious Catalan moment apart, while Nuno Valente and Gary Naysmith were also absent more often than they were available. Lescott, on the other hand, oozes consistent class. | 
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