Is he hindering Liverpool rather than helping at the moment?

In short, his dismissal against Spurs last weekend had been an accident waiting to happen for quite some time now. His lack of mobility tends to mean that he struggles in a two-man midfield and he was brutally exposed by Spurs high-tempo style of play. This further begs the question, can Liverpool afford to cater their side’s style of play just to tailor to Adam’s needs? And does he represent something of a passenger at times?

It’s worth noting that Adam’s two finest performances in a Liverpool shirt so far have been against a ten-man Arsenal side and when Liverpool were 3-0 up against Bolton and cruising. Does he have the ability to step it up against a finer class of opposition when the going gets tough? It’s fair to say that the jury is still out on that one.

Another potential spanner in the works is this long-awaited return of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard from a serious groin injury. Gerrard and Suarez have the potential to dovetail brilliantly in the future and the role he takes up in the side on his return could have an effect on Adam’s. in the short-term

Gerrard’s return opens up all number of possibilities, though. He could step into a role just behind Suarez or Andy Carroll up top. He could drop into a midfield three alongside Adam and Lucas, with Henderson making way, or he could play out wide.

Dropping Adam from the side, in theory, affects the balance of the side. His balls from deep are a great way of relieving pressure and the presence of his long-range passing has been seen to bring out the best in both Suarez and Stewart Downing. It makes Liverpool a more expansive, open outfit and as a result, a more attacking and attractive proposition.

The side have lacked a player capable of putting the ball on a sixpence since the departure of Xabi Alonso, and while Adam is nowhere near being in the Spaniard’s class, the point remains. However, if you were to drop Adam from the side upon Gerrard’s return, it frees an extra space up top, with Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy or Andy Carroll the likely benefactors of the England vice-captain’s return to central midfield.

Last season, Dalglish’s Liverpool side built their impressive run of form upon the backbone of Lucas and Jay Spearing. So far, Spearing has struggled to force his way into the starting eleven this season ahead of the glamorous acquisitions of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam. He may be as ugly as sin and perform an unglamorous role, but Spearing was pivotal last term and a recall may add balance to a platform in danger of tilting over in favour of attacking intent.

Charlie Adam looks to be a decent signing at £7m, but whether he should be so assured of a guaranteed role in Liverpool’s starting eleven remains in question. The balance of the side looks a lot better with Gerrard and Spearing in place of Adam and Henderson.

The knock-on effect, though, could be a less extravagant style of play. To stick or twist are the options available to Dalglish at present, but for me, Adam’s place shouldn’t be taken for granted. He certainly lacks both the flexibility and adaptability to perform at his best in different systems and formations. His presence may be a necessity for the time being, but whether it does so in the future remains to be seen. As a rotated squad player, Adam has a lot to offer, but as a regular starter, Adam may be causing more damage to the team’s shape than he’s worth in the long-run.

The article was written by James McManus for FootballFancast.com. Make sure to check out the latest news, blogs and podcasts at FFC – ed.

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