Tuesday 3 July 2012

New Look Liverpool


With Brendan Rogers now installed as the new Liverpool boss, a lot of questions are being asked about how he'll line his side up this season. Personally I think he'll maintain the shape he used with Swansea, he'll just have arguably better players doing it in most cases. Here's what I think will happen, feel free to tell me if you think differently:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Keeper and Back Four

Reina
Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique

Hard to see any changes here unless Rogers feels that one of either Agger or Skrtel isn't up to the job and potentially offers playing time to Seb Coates who may fit the passing mould better.

Johnson and Enrique both provide attacking options down the flanks and Reina is still a top class keeper (occasional blunder accepted).

Defensive Midfielders

Rogers used the combination of Leon Britton and Joe Allen in this role at Swansea, neither of whom are particularly strong physically, but both have the ability to pass a ball, suggesting that strength isn't a key attribute here for Rogers.

If this is the case, I would expect to see a midfield two of Lucas Leiva and Charlie Adam, although both Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson may be able to offer competition here for Charlie Adam's spot.

Attacking Midfielder

At Swansea it was Gylfi Sigurdsson in this role (at least for the 2nd half of the season), and rumours are that it's a two horse race between Liverpool and Spurs for his signature. That being said, Liverpool already have the perfect option in their squad for this role in Steven Gerrard.

He showed in the Euro's that there's still life in the old dog, although how long he can keep this up and avoid injury is another matter, which would make the Sigurdsson signing even more sensible going forwards to account for this happening.

Beyond this, Maxi Rodriguez could be offered a lifeline, as could maybe Jonjo Shelvey (although I think Shelvey struggles at this level), but it's not the strongest area on the pitch squad wise.

Wingers

At Swansea it was Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair, Liverpool's issue here is that apart from a floundering Stewart Downing and a very young Raheem Sterling – they don't really have many options, however there is a caveat to this. Scott Sinclair was initially a striker when at Chelsea, who's since been moved out more towards the wing, which helps pay dividends when he cuts inside and attacks, so there's another option Liverpool can consider here – Luis Suarez

Suarez had a very mixed season last year, but showed one key factor – he's not prolific enough to play as a main striker, he works best behind a front man or slightly on the wing – exactly where I think he should be played.
That leaves the other side to consider and here I've gone for one of Liverpool's 'forgotten' men – Joe Cole.

Returning from his loan at Lille, Cole is arguably back to his best, and could offer a great attacking option on either wing, although I'd argue he may be best on the right, as this means Suarez can cut inside and attack on his favoured foot on the opposite side.

With Cole's ability and crossing on the right, and Suarez causing chaos on the left, it's going to leave more room upfront centrally for...

Andy Carroll.

Was there any doubt I'd select him here? The reasoning is simple – he's a target man and they don't really have anyone else anyway. Bellamy appears to be leaving shortly, Kuyt has already gone which leaves young options Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston the only other players in contention......

Frankly I think this is one of the key areas Liverpool need to spend in, as if something does happen to Carroll either through injury (or he performs as he did for the majority of last season), they have no real options to change things around. Giroud would have been a perfect signing here, but Arsene Wenger has already wrapped that deal up, although Emile Heskey is apparently interested... (Shudder)....

Expected XI under Rogers

Reina
Glen Johnson
Agger/Coates
Skrtel
Enrique
Lucas
Adam
Gerrard/Sigurdsson
Joe Cole
Suarez
Carroll

Bench from:
Jones
Kelly
Henderson
Spearing
Maxi
Sterling
Eccleston/ New striker

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