Liverpool should stick to the 4-4-2 formation this season; it can only mean more goals when we play with two strikers. This line up allows for our four defenders (Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurellio/ Figueroa) at the back preferably lined up in what is known as the “banana shape” with the middle curve closest to Pepe Reina. This allows Johnson and Aurellio/Figueroa, slightly ahead of the two centre halves. The next option is a “flat back-line” however, this would definitely require more communication from Jamie Carragher as he will no doubt be the ‘captain’ of the back-line.
The defenders in either option could also play the ball around the back, in an attempt to stretch the opposing attackers and subsequently create space to launch our counter attacks. This would no doubt require a level of skill and composure from our defenders. The outside defenders are required to be vigilant and nullify any attack coming in from the opposing flank players. However, there are question marks surrounding the ability of Glen Johnson to get back after going forward.
The line-up of four midfielders (Joe Cole, Gerrard, Aquilani and Maxi) would be our starters in the absence of Mascherano, usually arranged with Cole and Maxi being utilized as our preferred wingers and are also involved in striking at goal. This would make this line-up have a possibility of four strikers. The wingers have the bulk of running to do as they need to carry the ball from the defending third into the attacking third.
Therefore, this suggests that Kuyt will now be reverted to his original role as a striker or will be used as a substitute providing we acquire the services of an out and out striker. Our two central midfielders Gerrard and Aquilani will be afforded the task of ‘play makers’. These players will execute the plans Roy Hodgson have designed and utilize the method of attacking and goal scoring. Gerrard will however, be the key play maker operating a bit more forward than his compatriot Aquilani, who will operate in a more holding midfield role His main purpose would then be to stop the attacking players from carrying out their attacking plans. If not, Hodgson could opt to continue searching for a suitable replacement for the want away Mascherano to fill that void.
This leaves us with the options of the forwards. Liverpool’s number nine Fernando Torres, has all the attributes to drive fear in any opposing defence and coupled with an equally effective strike partner would surely go a far way in signalling the clubs ambition for silverware this season. The chemistry between both strikers needs to be perfect as they are required to work closely together to break down defences. A possible selection to partner Torres is Kuyt, however although he is a decent player he does not pose the killer instinct needed by Liverpool F.C at the moment, he may be best serve coming on off the bench for Torres or one of the wingers. The next candidate is Peter Crouch; the 6’7” front man would signify a good buy as he is decent in the air and knows how to find the back of the net. He could no doubt be the perfect foil for Torres. The untried pair of Torres and Milan Jovanovic could be ideal, as both men possess the pace and technique needed in the Premier League.
However, it is my belief that if we ought to mount a serious title challenge this time around, it is imperative we bring in another quality striker, someone who can come straight into the starting eleven and not just a no name player, someone who has the experience and does not require on the job training.
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Why have you mentioned Figueroa we havnt signed him?
wtf?
Is this a windup? This has to be a windup.
I have to disagree. We have to mix it up this season depending on the opposition. When we are playing a lesser team then 4-4-2 is ok, we can play Aquilani and Gerarrd in CM as we don’t need defensive cover. But we have to mix it up against the better teams or when we are stuggling to score – change to 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1
A rigid 4-4-2 is a bit out dated now. At the world cup the best teams played a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formations – Spain, Holland, Germany, Argentina, Brazil. England played 4-4-2 and were useless. In the Champions League the more successful teams last season play the same formations- Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Chelsea for example. There are probably more than this. We’ve played some of our best football in the last five years with the 4-2-3-1 too.
Part of the problem last season was the rigiidty and the inability to adapt or change formation. We stuck with the same 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 formation throughtout the year even when we were strugglinh/ Rafa was unwilling to change it even when the personnel weren’t available. What I would like to see from Hodgson is the ability to adapt to a game. If a particular formations isn’t working i want to see him change it to try and get the breakthrough.
This optimism bordering on fantasy in this article is ridiculous. It makes no allowances for injuries or how we would adapt. ‘We dont need a holding midfielder?’ Tell me the last team you watched in the Champions League, World Cup, European Championships or even Europa League that didnt have a holding midfielder? So Liverpool should be the team that tactically regresses back to the sort of English formation that lead to Continental domination of Europe in the 90’s? And to prove the point and make it all very clear this is some sort of dream, Figeroa is included at left-back as if we’ve signed him. If you hadn’t noticed we already have 2 left backs and a 19 year old left back who just won the U19 Euro Championship (Chris Mavinga). As we’re just speculating, can we just have Maxi/Messi on the right? Rant over.
all you fellaz amaze me.why should there be a place for kuyt and maxi in that team.kuyt is too rigid and lacks skill.its all running,hard work and nothing comes out of it. our line up should be
reina,johnson,cara,agger,aurelio,masch(defoe,not poulsen pliz),stev should play on the rite side,aqua in the centre and cole on the left side,with torres and jova as the strikers.kuyt should go.i would arther promote pacheco than let kuyt play
i disagree. one, we havent signed figeuroa. two, joe cole came here to play stevie g’s position, to be a playmaker for torres, not a winger. im guessing we’ll have the same fomation as last season but gerrard in the center with lucas/aqua, joe cole as the attacking midfielder, and jovanivic on the left winger but he has the option to not always come back. sort of what c. ronaldo use to play.
You know nothing about football.
4-4-2 is dead.
No, Liverpool will stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Joe Cole will play in the ‘hole’ behind Fernando Torres and we’ll have Stevie G and Lucas or Masch’s replacement in the centre of the park. Jova will operate as a left winger and on the right we have Kuyt. The back 4 would most likely consist of Johnson, Carra, Agger and Aurelio.
cant play wid just gerrard n aquilani…a holding player shud b dre…..wt we cud do is 4-1-3-2…..wid gerrard aqua n cole being the three in centre..
———— Reina————–
Carragher—-Skrtel——Agger
————- DM ————–
Maxi————Aquilani/Gerrard——-Babel/Jova
——————-Gerrard/Cole——————
—————Kuyt——-Torres——————
——————— Reina———————-
———Carragher—-Skrtel——Agger———-
———————-Defour———————
Maxi————Aquilani/Gerrard——-Babel/Jova
——————-Gerrard/Cole——————
—————–Kuyt——-Torres—————
——————— Reina———————-
———Carragher—-Skrtel——Agger———-
———————-Defour———————
Maxi/Glen——-Aquilani/Gerrard——-Babel/Jova
——————-Gerrard/Cole——————
—————–Kuyt——-Torres—————
Sub:
Gulacsi
Wilson
Kelly
Ayala
Spearing
Lucas
Pacheco
Jonjo
OUT:
Cavalieri
Itandje
Insua
Aurelio
Kyrgiakos
Degen
Mascherano
El Zhar
Ngog (ngog already 2 years with reds but never do ANYTHING)(He is not a player for the top team)
———————– Reina——————–
———Carragher—-Skrtel——Agger———-
———————-Defour———————
Maxi/Glen——-Aquilani/Gerrard——-Babel/Jova
——————-Gerrard/Cole——————
—————–Kuyt——-Torres—————
Sub:
Gulacsi
Wilson
Kelly
Ayala
Spearing
Lucas
Jonjo
Pacheco
OUT:
Cavalieri
Itandje
Insua
Aurelio
Kyrgiakos
Degen
Mascherano
El Zhar
Ngog (ngog already 2 years with reds but never do ANYTHING)(He is not a player for the top team)
If you’ve finished, Akash, I’ll just point out that we were the top scorers in the league the season before last playing 4231. The season before, with the same formation, we were top scorers over all competitions of any English side. The assertion at the start of this article that playing with 2 strikers can only mean more goals is ridiculous, sorry.
Is it just me or does Akash seem to have mental difficulties!? Firstly! Ngog and Kyrigakos out? Ngog may not have fulfilled his full potential yet but the lad’s only 21! It’s a lot to expect him to be as good as Torres already but he does have the scope to be a great player in the future. And Kyrigakos..? One of our most un-expected and best performers last season. Whenever he was called upon he gave his all and was mostly solid (With a few exceptions), he is a great squad player so why should we sell him! And your formation looks like a child has pooed random names on a piece of paper! 3 at the back!? Glen at RW!? DEFOUR A HOLDING MIDFIELD PLAYER!? My friend you need specialist attention!
Please tell me that those of you who played Kuyt up with torres are joking, would not play Kuyt up front EVER. dont even want to play him at all. Buy a decent striker, or maybe even start playing Pacheco up with him, could work as Pacheco is so talanted picking holes in the defence and Torres is good at runnning into them, could be a dream partnership, and i would play babel up front if torres gets injured(if we dont sign suitable cover) And yes play 4-4-2 against weak opposition, where we were drawing last season, to win. Play 4-5-1 against top teams with quality wingers(one guy i would like is Bentley-he is still a good player espically crossing, free kicks and corners, can really increase our goals from those situations) Defour is definately DM player i want, young and talented YNWA!!!!