Let’s be honest the football we have been playing of late hasn’t been enthralling. Under Benitez we were largely defensive, playing on the counter and under Hodgson we have….. Well let’s not go there!!! For the latter half of last season we employed a 4 4 2 formation in most games but will we continue this next season? Maybe, but I don’t think so?
As much as I love Kenny I do believe that Clarke will play the main role when it comes to tactics and how the team plays. Dalglish is a great motivator and knows his football thus the reason he brought in Clarke. So when did Clarke have his greatest success? we all know the answer to that and it was under Mourinho at Chelsea. The 2004/05 and 2005/06 league titles were won by Chelsea and it was largely down to the effectiveness of the 4 3 3 formation they employed. I have a feeling that Liverpool will look to employ similar tactics come August.
Looking at how Chelsea lined up we saw Didier Drogba employed as the central striker, Big Powerful, Can hold a ball. Then Robben was out on the right and our very own (not for much longer) Cole on the left. So looking at the comparisons so far we have Carroll who pretty much fills the Drogba role. Suarez has been playing down the left for Uruguay and occasionally on the right. The kids that talented he could do either. This leaves a slot spare that we need to fill. Mata has been uttered quite often and I imagine our main (marquee if you like) signing will be to complete the front three. I would love it to be Aguero but all signs point to Downing
Looking at the midfield positions I can pretty much guarantee Lucas will continue to occupy the holding position, Gerrard will play without any shadow of a doubt (when fit) which leaves one more midfield position. With the amount spent on Henderson I would imagine that this slot is pretty much his. If Adam does come in, expect him to be a squad player unless he gets his chance, impresses and ousts Henderson.
The Left Back position has been mentioned often in the press with Clichy and Enrique the main protagonists. I can honestly see this position not being filled by someone coming in and perceive Johnson will pick up where he left off before Kelly got injured and he moved back over to Right Back. The centre back positions are interesting. Carra although a little slow now is still a force and under Dalglish will be a regular starter. Agger needs to start but the if is whether he can stay fit (which I doubt) that being the case we need to offload him and bring in someone else (Zapata mentioned).
In an ideal world we will line up like this:
Carroll
Suarez Aguero
Henderson Gerrard
Lucas
Clichy Agger Carragher Kelly
But I imagine it will be more like this:
Carroll
Suarez Downing
Henderson Gerrard
Lucas
Johnson Skrtel Carragher Kelly
There is a lot to be excited about and I feel that by playing this formation will be solid in defence, flooding the midfield and lethal in attack. My mouth waters at the prospect of seeing this formation in action and I hope I have based this article on facts (although not set in stone) rather than my pipedream of how I want us to line up. It makes complete sense to me but that’s my opinion and I would love to hear yours because hey that what footballs all about isn’t it?