Balance is Key for the Reds, but where will it come from?

With the likelihood that Liverpool will go into future encounters with the intention to play both Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll up front, it begs the question as to how the Reds will keep a good balance in midfield. Before Liverpool were rewarded a penalty against Sunderland a fortnight ago, the Reds were struggling to come to terms with the 4-4-2 formation they were asked to play. With Jay Spearing and Lucas playing holding roles in midfield, Raul Meireles was asked to play a very unnatural role on the left hand side, which saw him cutting inside into a crowded central midfield area. Although the Reds went on to win 2-0 against the Black Cats, this lack of balance in midfield still looked to be a problematic issue.

In recent years, the Reds have been used to playing a variation of 4-3-3, with either 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 being the preferred choice by previous manager Rafa Benitez. Subsequently the player’s who were brought to the club under the Spaniard were designed to play in the system rather than the 4-4-2 which Roy Hodgson preferred, and Kenny Dalglish looks to have settled on, with both Suarez and Carroll in the side. The lack of wingers to play the formation however hampered Hodgson and will inevitably hinder Dalglish at certain points, and there is growing speculation about the Reds being linked with a number of wide players in the summer.

For some Reds fans, the intention to play both Suarez and Carroll up front has come as somewhat of a surprise. With the players available to King Kenny, the squad looks more suited to playing 4-3-3 and many anticipated Suarez to play on the left side of a front three with Carroll leading the line on his own with Kuyt on the right hand side. So far, Dalglish has resisted going down this route, and although he may decide to surprise us by playing this way against West Brom, I am inclined to think that he will want to keep Suarez and Carroll together as a pairing.

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INTRODUCING CRYSIS 2!