Inexperienced American Eric Lichaj, 22, and Carlos Cuellar, whose preferred role is centre-back, have been used to fill the breach.

BBC: Aston Villa sign Spurs defender Kyle Walker on loan

Babel was playing in his preferred striker role as opposed to his normal position on the wing under former Reds manager Rafael Benitez and took advantage of a rare chance which came his way.

BBC: Liverpool 1-0 Trabzonspor

After initially being given a chance by Andre Villas-Boas, albeit often out wide instead of his preferred central striking role, he was a peripheral figure under his successor Roberto di Matteo -- and Chelsea's current manager Rafael Benitez has let him leave.

CNN: Chelsea striker Sturridge joins Liverpool

Although he gracefully bore the public role that birth assigned him, he preferred acting in a quieter, more hands-on way.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | To Our Readers: A Legacy of Public Service

Indeed, my preferred option -- a more active and well-regulated role for NSA and Cyber Command on and for American networks -- is almost a third rail in the debate over U.S. cybersecurity.

CNN: Have the courage to deal with cyber war