Hi guys, Reading an article in the paper about Liverpool's line-up next season made me wonder what you guys reckon it will be? Papers have us down as firm favourites to claim Charlie Adam from Blackpool and also Cliche has been linked with us. If thats the case i'd go: -------------------------Reina---------------------------- -Johnson------Agger--------Carragher---------Cliche-- -Meireles-----Adam--------Henderson----------Gerrard ---------------Suarez---------Carroll/Kuyt---------------
Lucas over Adam I reckon and hendo at RM in his natural position perhaps. I'm also assuming we will get a natural wide player which means Meireles would probably be used off the bench more.
The midfield and strikers will look something like this: Henderson----Gerrard-----Lucas------------------ --------------------Suarez-----------Left Winger- -------------------Carrolll------------------------ I know it looks weird on here but that's how Dalglish' old Liverpool side played, with Barnes more attacking on the left and having a pretty free role (Mata? Downing?) while Ray Houghton on the right was more of a workhorse (Henderson? Meireles?) That's my opinion on it anyway, also I think the defence will be something like: Johnson-Carragher-Skrtel/New CB/Agger-Clichy/Enrique/New LB
If some of our transfer targets come to be then I could see us lining up something like this, but we'd have more options to come in such as Kuyt, Adam, Agger, Kelly, Meireles, etc... much more depth in the squad Reina Johnson Dann Carragher Clichy Henderson Gerrard Lucas Downing Suarez Carroll
Why the hell do you have Gerrard in LM? That's not utilising him at all! --------------------Reina--------------------- -----Kelly------Carra-----Agger------Clichy--- ---------------Meireles--Lucas---------------- ----Henderson-----Gerrard--------Suarez------ -------------------Carroll--------------------- This would be my lineup IF we don't get any other signings than a new LB. Of course, with new signings such as wingers etc... the lineup will change around a lot. Before anyone jumps at Meireles being in a deep lying midfield position - he made a good partnership with Lucas earlier on in the year, and I think if you placed him there with the freedom of moving up with the attack, then Lucas can stay behind to cover the defensive side of things. Suarez is on the LW because he can play LF or LW, and I think giving him license to roam on the left is perfect for him to create space.
Aidan_lfc Welcome to the forum! Although i will say that you have created a terrible team there! Gerrard LM? No Lucas/Kelly? 4-4-2? Don't think we would do very well with that starting 11.
@Ze Liverbird If Suarez is roaming/Cutting in would that leave Henderson bugging the right byline for crosses from the right for Carrolls head? Is Henderson ok with hugging the right byline? I understand he is a right winger by nature but he has spent a season playing in the centre. Also, are his crosses as good as what Carroll was receiving at Newcastle? ALSO.... where would you have Kuyt in all of this? as he can't hug a touchline, we'd have to have him cut in meaning we'd need a touchline hugging left winger Downing anyone? Sorry, my brain just flooded
I think given some time to adjust Henderson on the right wing would be perfect, I see what you mean about him not quite being an out and out winger yet - but he has all the attributes to get him there. I've also facted in the fact Gerrard is right footed and does tend to drift towards the right hand side a bit; therefore Henderson leaving Henderson free to just run down the right wing. I was thinking both Gerrard and Henderson could feed crosses in to him (Gerrard's flick would be perfect). Kuyt is on the bench ready to come on, I doubt the crosses from the team I've mentioned will be as good, but I don't think we should change our whole attack force to focus on Carroll getting fed crosses into the box. We've needed wingers for ages, before Carroll came, just to open up play a bit. Suarez would act a bit like Messi except on the left, cutting through opponents into the box and feeding back for Gerrard or Carroll to lash it in from the middle.
and now it leaves a discussion about right back Johnson is a right back who attacks and cuts in to the centre for a shot from the 18 yard box while Kelly tends to go on the outside overlap. would we be beter placed to keep Kelly at RB so we can have a Beckham/Neville style partnership (which would bode well for the England team) or do we keep Johnson there which could lead to the midfield getting crowded with Henderson on the right wing, Johnson cutting in from right back & Gerrard drifting wide from the centre
I'd keep Kelly at RB to be honest. If Kelly sprints up in traditional Right wing back fashion; then Henderson moves into the Middle, which pushes Gerrard up front with Carroll - which means 3 viable options in the box for heading the ball in the net, with Suarez waiting on the left to collect any loose balls and Meireles waiting on the edge of the box to lash it in.
---------------------Pepe -----------Agger---Carra---Skrtel --Johnson/Kelly--------------------New LB ----Hendo/Raul----Lucas----Gerrard -----------Carroll--------Suarez or --------------------Pepe Kelly/Johnson--Skrtel--Carra---New LB -------------------Lucas Hendo/Kuyt------Gerrard-----New LM (Mata?) ------------Carroll-------Suarez
---------------Reina ------Carra----Skrtel----Agger -Kelly---Gerrard---Lucas---Meireles ------Kuyt----------Suarez --------------Carroll
Raaul has got it spot on. If Kenny stays to form,He will sign someone that start wide but doesn't stay wide ie John Barnes and will utilise someone on the other side that is energetic and will work extremely hard ie Ray Houghton.I reckon for the right side Stewart Downing fits the bill.For the left.....its anyones guess.
God just the thought of it. The thing is, every now and again Downing is great. But he's just not quite good enough. I can just imagine him needing replacing in a year or two's time.
