The start of a new season is coming for clubs, fans and players. Rafa is gone, Hodgson has taken place in the manager’s chair. Over 4 5 1 with Torres alone in attack side, who have made him injured all year long? Over cold and rational approach of « thinking » the match? Over mainly defensive way of playing? And finally, over Gerrard’s role as « number 10 » behind Torres.
With the arrival of Roy and some new fresh players, something is really changing on the ground. After the first matches, we are able to say that now we’ll play with two players forward, two players in « wingers » roles, provoking left and right backs. But we all know that Stevie can’t play in any of those roles now, because he’s too old, and injuries had physical impact on him.
If we imagine that Torres and Kuyt will be our two forwards, the first one in a striker position, the second as a « relay ball giver » between midfield and Torres, if we imagine that Maxi is not leaving and Babel too, we could have 4 players on the wings (Stevie Heighway is missing, but we still have dreams and songs to sing :) ).
How can we imagine now a tactical plan for the two last midfielders? One the one side, defensive ones: Lucas, Spearing, and in a more offensive roles, as relay, creators, Gerrard and Aqui. With Masch leaving, Lucas has now all the place to show that his improvement is on the right way, Spearing will play in turn over matches.
So Steven will play with Lucas? That’s what i think, but on the other side, Hodgson said that Aqui will have a key role this year. In that case how can Stevie and him playing together, without sacrificing a winger or a striker? What’s you opinion my friends ?
Denis Gaudillère, France
Good thoughts. Wherever Lucas is placed, I hope he has space for a more attacking opportunities. The lad has major talent in that respect. Rafa kept him rooted to defensive quite a bit, on some European nights where he was granted the permission to roam a little bit, we saw some quality.
Hope Roy gives it the thumbs up.
I would play Gerrard behind Torres & Kuyt but just on the edge of the centre circle :)
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For starters, i think Cole will be played behind Torres if that’s how it will really look like. I don’t Jova starting regularly unless an injury to any of the attackers. And Roy hasn’t been impressed yet by the Serb’s display, trust me. That would mean Lucas and Aquilani more central behind the 3 attackers, Nando, Cole and Gerrard. Steve’s role will remain unchanged just that he’ll have company in supplying Nando. Cole will be more like Anelka in Chelsea; dropping deep or getting wide on either side while Steve will be the Lampard like he’s always been. We really need LB who’ll attack more down the left. Or, Cole will be occasionaly using the area if Glen is thriving on the right or playing 3 centre backs and 2 wide wingers something i doubt Roy can do.
I think that Babel must play near Torres, it is only way for him to become good player, last chance for him i guess… He doesn’t give any in wing, but near Torres it would be good solution,when just one opponent defender take place infront him, he will be the winner, good striker, I think. Behind them, in num 10 place, Cole.Wings, left Jovanović, right Kuyt, back midfilder Captain Gerrard…Or Cole on right wing, Cuyt out and Aquilani behind Torres and Babel…
I can see aquilani fitting in any of lucas’s, gerrard’s or kuyt’s roles. I think he’s quickened to the pace of the english game and his trickery makes him a good ball retainer so can be effective in any of the stated above roles. Atm i see him as sub for these roles as he does not quite seem to have the strength that each kuyt, gerrard and lucas has in their respective roles. However i would put my money on him finding a role near torres as his attacking ability is what sets him apart from kuyt at times, kuyt offers that endless energy and workrate but not the ability to slip through a defense or find the killer pass.
I’d like to see Babel secure himself on the left wing, from the looks of his twitter account he would too. I have only ever supported him, i think he’s a class act when he wants to be, hopefully roy sees this too and gives him a run in the team.
There is a degree of depth in the squad that you struggle to say that one player will take a single position in midfield for the whole season, injury aside, which is a good headache for roy to have. However the ever present problem of a cover for torres still looms for me, lets hope a deal is in the pipeline for someone half decent to deputise.
Having said all this, alot of the first team squad has not played yet or even trained so time will tell on who hits form and gets in the squad. The matches so far have shown some of the younger players have some promise, hopefully see them rise to the challenge as well.
I could see Kuyt/Maxi staying out right and Cole coming in behind the striker. Gerrard would play in the mid with Lucas, but could have the freedem to make runs forward and have Cole drop back. We really could have all of our offensive players, sans-Torres, switching roles throughout the game. Jova could go up top with Torres and Cole could go out left, Kuyt could go up top and we could send Cole or Jova out right. Even Maxi could play in the middle as he did for Argentina.
So many options! Not a bad problem to have, but I sure wish we had an out and out winger. Cole has stated his desire to play in the middle and Jova isn’t really a pure winger.
Could we play Gerrard as the defensive mid, getting the attack started, and fit Aquilani in there ahead of Gerrard? How would that be for an attack?!
Torres
Jova – Cole – Kuyt/Maxi
Aquilani – Gerrard
Gerrard used to be able to defend, but he sure didn’t show any desire to last season. He is still one of the best passers in the game though. The deeper he plays the more we could take advantage of his distribution.
August 15th will be a very interesting day. Can’t wait.
Keep it simple is the best : 4-4-2. Wing on both side to open up defense, Torres must have a strike partner to take away defender attention. I would say : Riena-Kelley-Skertel-Agger-NEW LB- Johnson-Javonociv-Lucas-Gerrard(push up and attack from deep, when he run at defender, is real scary !!)-Cole (drop slightly behind Torres and roaming)-Torres.
Johnson is NOT an out and out defender. I always belief : get a proper defender to do a defender job. Kelley is tough lad although lack of experience.
Give more chances to youngster, esp Amoo and Ngog, this 2 boys are fast and tricky. Give it a go.
Torres, Jovanovic
Cole, Aquilani, Gerrard, Rodriguez
Agger, Carra, Kyrgiakos, Johnson
Reina
Subs:
Ngog, Babel, Spearing, Lucas, Kelly, Skrtel, Cavalieri
P.S. Sell Kuyt, Masch and buy some more good players
I agree with Casey, the best defensive Midfielder in the world is Gerrard. Let Aqui play beside Gerrard and Cole in front of them roaming behind Torres. Lucas has no place in this 10/11 team. Babel will have a break out year, watch!!!!
In my opinion, I think that 4-1-3-2 formation will be okay.
@ Darko, YES Yes and YEs.. Two thumbs up buddy. :)
my thoughts are that you were drunk when you wrote this
I think at the moment Roy is using whats available to him in terms of squad, believe that when he has a full squad to pick from he may play with a single holding midfielder, either lucas or a new signing, gerrard and aquilani behind a single striker in torres, and any combination of maxi/babel/cole/kuyt/jovanovic, playing as winger come strikers either side of torres.
this in my opinion would be our strongest midfield and forward lines as i believe torres thrives as a lone striker and would score many goals playing in front of aqua and steevie, also cole and maxi would provide good movement and creativity from the right and left respectively (assuming they were first choice)
Let’s liverpool play this:-
——–Pepe Reina——–
Glen-Cara—Skrtel—Agger
——Steven Gerrard——
—-Aquilani—Joe Cole—
Kuyt————–Jovanovic
—–Fernando Torres—–
No need for Lucas. Gerrard alone is enough to hold the midfield.Once the ball on Gerrard’s foot, then creative pass can begin with Aquilani n Joe Cole in front of him.
cybersix you are clearly drunk too… Gerrard is not a holding player, never has been, never will be
Agger is not a left back, mearly cover for one.
This team looks like it was put out by kev keagan!
Great comment casey, my thought exactly. Let jova swap with babel and maxi with kuyt.