One of the most interesting dynamics going into the new season for Liverpool is how Roy Hodgson will rate the midfield players currently plying their trade at Anfield. If anything can be guessed by looking at the Europa League second leg tie against FK Rabotnicki last week is that that he will surely stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by Rafa Benitez. This maybe due to the lack of strikers at the club at the moment, but one thing is for certain that Roy always suits the formation to the players he has got. With the arrival of Christian Poulsen today, I would expect him to slot alongside Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield. I would also expect Milan Jovanovic to start on the left side for the match against Arsenal on Sunday, and either Joe Cole or Alberto Aquilani should start in the more advanced central midfield role. The only real area I am still trying to second guess without much success is the right hand side. I have listed five players below who could contend to fill the role:
Dirk Kuyt – The favourite to continue his right sided midfield role, Kuyt played there for the Netherlands during their run to the World Cup final last month. He has only recently returned to training though and it could take him a few more weeks before he is fully up and running to start and finish matches. Always reliable and hard-working, Kuyt’s pace and delivery from crosses are however of a lower standard than you would expect of a winger. It really does depend on what sort of player Roy wants to play on the right hand side.
Maxi Rodriguez – Maxi was first choice on the right hand side for Argentina in the World Cup and contributes greatly to creating chances for the team. Although not the paciest winger in the world, he can deliver good quality balls from the flank as well as cutting inside to have a go at goal himself. He is good friends with want away midfielder Javier Mascherano and let’s hope he is not unsettled by his fellow Argentine’s departure. There was speculation of a return to Spain with former club Espanyol although such rumours only came from the Spanish press. He is also a good friend of Fernando Torres’s too and I believe he could make a big impact on the Premier League this season if he stays. Roy started him on the bench against Rabotnicki and we will have to wait and see where he figures in his plans.
Joe Cole – Could well start in the middle alongside Steven Gerrard where the two have already struck up a very good understanding, but Roy has stated he will pick Joe in different positions when the occasion calls for it. If Hodgson opts to pick Aquilani ahead of Joe in the middle, Cole could revert to where he used to play for Chelsea. He does feel however that he is not the winger as he believes he doesn’t have the pace to really trouble opposition full backs. He believes he can contribute more in the centre of the park and one of the reasons he came to Liverpool was to play in his favoured position. Let’s see if Roy keeps him there for the match against Chelsea.
Ryan Babel – The enigma that is Ryan Babel has to be solved some time. Perhaps a change of tact and approach by a new manager could help him play his best football. Many believe his best position is up front, but his pace and dribbling skills have led managers to play him on the wing. In tandem with Milan Jovanovic on opposite wings they could really cause some problems with their pace. Especially as Roy has a penchant for choosing wingers to play on the opposite side to their favourite foot, it could lead to Jovanovic and Babel swapping sides, and cutting inside to have shots at goal, a speciality of Babel’s which could come in useful if such a tactic is employed.
Dani Pacheco – Chosen to start by Roy Hodgson on the right against FK Rabotnicki last week, Pacheco really wants to make a name for himself and play regular first team football. He was discussing a move away from Anfield but has since declared he will stay for the coming season, no doubt on the promise of Roy that he will get more regular first team action. Swapped sides to the left during the match against Rabotnicki, Pacheco stated after the match he really enjoyed the free role he was given, and considering his creative talents, Roy might just look at giving the young Spaniard a chance in some matches from the right side.
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Maxi played through the middle for Argentina and Kuyt’s best games for Holland came from him playing on the left. Hopefully a top quality winger is still on the way to make the spot and the number 7 shirt, his own
cole has got to played in middle as he at his best there,dirk on right as we will need a good workhorse 4 aarsenal
Kuyt shouldn’t play on the right at all for us – he should be a back-up striker or sold imo. Cole could play on the right when Aquilani is getting a game through the middle, and whether a new winger arrives or not, Babel, Jovanovich & Pacheco should all be given game time out wide on either side of the pitch ahead of Maxi
———Reina————–
Johnson-Agger-Skrtel-Aurelio
——Gerrard-Poulsen——-
J.Cole—–Kuyt—–Jovanovic
———–Torres————-
if Torres is injured then let Kuyt be the striker and use Aquilani behind him .
Why isn’t Roy just change the formation to 4-3-3? Play Poulsen or Lucas in DM then Gerrard and Aquilani in front of them. Play Cole on the left where he can cut inside and Jovanovic on the right where he can do the same. I have yet to see Milan play so I don’t know if he’s all that good so we are probably going to need another left-footed wide player as well as a striker. Someone like Mata works.