WITH possibly the biggest weekend of the season for Liverpool fast approaching, it is time for the squad to step up and show what they are capable of, when they take to the field against arch-rivals Everton on Saturday.
A dramatic win against Blackburn in the week was a great boost for the club, especially with Andy Carroll performing to his capabilities for the first time in months. It was also a positive to see players on the fringe of the first team, like Maxi Rodriguez and Jonjo Shelvey, put in good shifts for the Reds.
The game did have some negatives for Liverpool though, with third choice stopper Brad Jones now having to start at the weekend after Doni joined Pepe Reina on the suspended list for receiving a straight red card during the win at Ewood Park.
Although the team is considerably weaker than Kenny would have liked, there are still some important decisions about how he approaches the game and who goes into the starting XI for an FA cup tie that could make or break Liverpool’s season. With Dalglish resting Dirk Kuyt on Tuesday and Andy Carroll getting a full 90 minutes under his belt, it will be an interesting decision to see who starts up front at Wembley.
Looking back at Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Goodison Park in October, Kuyt and Carroll both started. Both played well that day, especially Kuyt who was a constant threat against Leighton Baines on the Reds right-hand side. With Gerrard only on the bench, Kuyt was used as the main attacking threat from the midfield.
In the 3-0 win against the Toffees at Anfield in March, Dalglish started Carroll but did not start Kuyt. Instead, Kenny chose Jordan Henderson on the right-hand side, in what looked like a much more rigid, defensive formation. This gave Gerrard the license to support the strikers, while Henderson could sit back if needed. The tactic proved to work as the skipper scored the most brilliant of hat-tricks that lifted the roof off a jubilant Anfield.
So what will Dalglish choose to do at the weekend?
Luis Suarez is almost certainly going to start on Saturday. In order to play both Carroll and Kuyt, the Dutchman would be required to start on the right. This is not a position unfamiliar to Kuyt and with no real right-winger in the squad, he can run the line well and come inside and support the strikers. The issue that may arise when playing both Carroll and Kuyt, is that they may not fit into a system that includes Steven Gerrard. Starting both Gerrard and Kuyt in midfield could leave Liverpool’s defence prone to counter attacks from Everton, as the Skipper and the Dutchman are both attack-minded players. Let’s face it; the chances of Steven Gerrard not starting at Wembley are as slim as Dalglish receiving Manager of the Year award, so it would seem that starting both Kuyt and Carroll is unlikely.
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Dirk Kuyt thrives on occasions like this. How many times has the Dutchman been in the right place at the right time to win important games for the Reds (Carling Cup Final)? However, on many of these important occasions, he has arrived into the game having started on the bench. His impact in the late stages of a match when many defenders are tiring could be a key factor when thinking about who to start at Wembley.
Andy Carroll’s last minute winner on Tuesday night was a relief, not just for him, but for all Reds fans who had been praying for the £35 million man to hit the back of the net after a really dismal 2012. He will no doubt be more confident after breaking his goal drought and his aerial ability is a genuine threat. However, with 6″4 Sylvain Distin likely to be marking Carroll, the ex-Newcastle front man may have another frustrating game.
Both men have real cases for them to start against Everton on Saturday. Whoever Kenny Dalglish chooses to play, may have to have the game of their life, if Liverpool are to return to ‘Anfield South’ for another final come May.
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Carroll to start only, ONLY if Downing play on the LEFT.
Maxi should get nod over Kuyt. Maxi is intelligent and plays well with Suarez.
Important key players would be Agger, Stevie G, Suarez.
Carroll and Kuyt are not a major issue. They are replaceable. Maxi and Bellars have done more to deserve first choice.
The other player who should at least be on the bench is Raheem Sterling. Has KD not seen his contribution? Why fret over Kuyt and Carroll?
Currently the best way to utilize Carroll in the Liverpool set up is to play to his strengths which is him attacking diagonal balls being sent into the box. The only player capable of such crosses is Stevie G. Downing seems to be the other closest to be able to do it.
Hence, for Carroll to start, Downing has to be on the LEFT and Stevie G on the RIGHT, but who would put Stevie G there other than Rafa?
The centre options are Jonjo and Henderson and I would go for Jonjo. Spearing is an automatic choice.
But if Downing goes off, then Carroll goes off too, and we go for pace, intelligent runs and intricate passes with Bellars and Maxi.
Kuyt? He can come on and take off a defender to push Stevie G to the centre in an all out attack in the final stages should we need to.