Currently, the system just works better without them

Sometimes two players just click instantly, while others take time to build up an understanding, and it has been very clear from Craig Bellamy’s first three matches back in a Liverpool shirt, that he hasn’t taken him long to strike up a partnership with Luis Suarez.

Great minds think alike as they say, but there seems to be a complete understanding about where each other will be on the pitch when they interchange passes. It led to some great pieces of attacking play against Brighton and Bellamy is delighted that the pair have hit it off so quickly:

“I managed to link up with Luis Suarez who is such an impressive player and it was a good feeling.”

Suarez made the pass for Bellamy’s goal early in the match, and throughout the first half, Suarez, Bellamy, Maxi and Dirk Kuyt all combined well to create a number of chances for the Reds which should have seen the side well ahead at half time. Manager Kenny Dalglish described some of the football as “exceptional” in the first half and it was a joy to behold to see some of the interchange of passes.

Of course it was only against a Championship side but Brighton are a very good outfit, as shown after they shook off their nerves to have 60% possession in the second half, creating a few chances to equalise before Dirk Kuyt put the game beyond any doubt.

So why was there such a difference in the fluidity and pace of the attacks in the early stages of the Brighton match compared to the lacklustre display against Tottenham even before Charlie Adam was sent off?

For starters, it must be said Tottenham and Brighton are different standards of side, but beyond that there was more urgency about the Reds, most likely inspired by the stinging 4-0 defeat inflicted by Spurs at the weekend.

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Above all else though, the big difference for me was the formation and personnel. Conspicuous by their absence were Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll; all for different reasons didn’t play in the Carling Cup last night. The absence of Adam and Henderson especially, allowed Liverpool to play with two holding midfield players in Spearing and Lucas which allowed Liverpool greater possession in the first half.

The security of two players protecting the back four, allowed the 4 players up front to play with freedom and to interchange positions frequently to trouble Brighton’s backline. Bellamy was playing wide right, wide left and through the middle at different points during the match, and the same could be said of Suarez, Maxi and Kuyt. The majority have the technical to move into different positions, creating difficulties for the Brighton defenders about who to mark and keeping them unsettled so they couldn’t establish positions and hold a line.

In addition to this fluidity of movement positional wise, pace also allowed the Reds to open the Brighton defence, using counter attacks and the ability to get behind defenders with speed to create goal scoring opportunities. This freedom of movement is in start contrast to when Andy Carroll plays, and if the Reds are to incorporate Carroll in this system, Carroll will need to adapt his game in the coming years or he could find it difficult to get a starting berth, unless Dalglish decides to shape the team around him.

Fundamentally though, what makes the Reds attack so much better with the likes of Bellamy, Suarez, Maxi and Kuyt all playing together is that they can play the system which Kenny Dalglish likes best, pass and move with quick counter attacks and a fluid formation. They have the pace, technical skill, vision and anticipation to make the system work. The likes of Henderson, Adam and Carroll will need to adapt to this as otherwise Liverpool may not play as well as they could as they seek a Champions League place this season.

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