We played 3-5-2 last season for 4 games. We won 2 (v stoke and chelsea) drew one (wigan) lost one (west ham) so how succesful the formation i would like is certainly questionable. However i believe, with the players we have, that this would facilitate most of them best. If we dont play 5 in the middle we will have 6 cm unhappy at never being played, but if we play 4 at the back with 5 in the middle suarez or carroll (who may i remind you we paid 35 million for) would have to drop to the bench. My only other hope is that Suarez can play just as good as a right midfielder
I'm going nuts with the options! We have at least 3 teams with about 20 available formations. Please start the season early!
Ive had a sudden change of heart and we should go with a 4-3-3. so strike force would be -suarez----carroll----downing
3-4-3 is a viable option based on our squad and one that would go back to Kenny's playing days... ------------------Reina------------------ ------Kelly-------Carra--------Agger----- Hendo------Lucas-----Gerrard---Adam---- ------Suarez-----Carroll-----Downing----- It's a very attacking side, and I'd be tempted to put a LB where Agger is instead because Adam is not very adept at defending.
I think the 3-5-2 would work much better this season then last as we have options on the wing and more creative players.we can have Hendo, Downing, Adam & Gerrard are attacking then it will leave Lucas and 3 defenders ready to mop up any clearances. I'd imagine we will press very high up the field and look to keep teams in their defencive third. once the game is won we can loook at taking off henderson for Kelly and carrol/suarez for kuyt and defend the game with a 4-5-1 ----------Carra - Skertl - Agger Hendo - Gerrard - Lucas - Adam - Downing ------------------------Suarez ---------------Carroll after 60 mins if the lead is comfortable -----Kelly - Carra - Skertl - Agger Kuyt - Gerrard - Lucas - Adam - Downing -------------Carroll/Suarez fun fun fun
I suspect we will use different formations throughout the season. Haven't got a clue what they might be though!
Chris, I think you've just hit the nail on the head. We will use a series of formations during the season against different teams plus we will be able to use our bench to significantly change the pattern of play during the game. This very flexibility will make us almost unique in the Premership. Not for a very very long time have we been able to look to our bench to actually change games and not just cover injuries.
I like 343 as it easily becomes 352 as I wouldn't play 3 forwards but 2 and an AM up front. Problem with either, when it goes wrong it goes wrong. A solid back 4 can do well with a failing midfield in front of it, a back 3 get opened up with the slightest whiff of width, Villa exposed this nicely. There is too much that can go wrong, or if you play against a team with an excellet deep lying passer and good fast wingers I wouldn't use it either in those circumstances, Alonso and Ronaldo would tear 352 a new one I think
The good thing about a 3-4-3 though is that if it's clear we're getting battered.. take off Downing and put a LB in. Automatically switches to a 4-4-2; equally you could take Adam off, move Downing to LM and put a LB in. I think 3-4-3 works best with a team who've got a wide selection of players. It's highly interchangeable depending on the situation.
True, and I am not worried about when you are in posession and applying pressure. it is when you lose the ball from a corner and face fast counters, you can be absolutely torn to shreds with fast wide players, look at the damage caused by Flanagan being beaten again and again, the pitch was open ground to the touchline practically and it also pulls another from the middle. and they weren't even counters really You gotta be at least able to match pace on either flank, and our covering against Villa didnt shout out 'organisation' which in that formation defensively leaves little room for error. Villa weren't even that great, they played well, and it was far too easy for them. Horses for courses, I think with what players are available, against some teams it is not practical, I wouldn't play it against Arsenal I think, United yes Chelsea yes, spurs mid can work the ball through as they did and again exposed hte weakness of the formation, if the mids cant get a grip you Will concede. it is the only formation I have ever used since playing FIFA international, the first EA FIFA game though I switched to Pez in 95
Cant believe you are all sacrificing Johnson for a back 3!!! I think you will play 4-3-3 most of the time, 4-4-2 others. For me the strongest XI would be: Riena Johnson, Carra, Agger, LB Lucas, Gerrard, Adam (or Henderson) Kuyt (or Downing), Carroll, Suarez Subs Doni, Skirtel, Kelly, Henderson (Adams), Mereles, Spearing, Downing (kuyt) A strong back 4 with ability to push on from full backs (guessing you will sign an attacking LB). 3 strong CM who can play a ball, cover well, tackle and press. Up front an outlet in Carroll if need be to bully defenders, hold ball up, attack crosses and hit screamers. Wing forwards supplying and supporting, but who also work hard in tracking back and covering
The problem with Johnson is he lacks the dicipline to be an out and out defender. Now we have someone on the wing who isn't looking to be a striker (lKuyt) he will not be needed to push up as much as he does and if he does push up then it leaves out defence exposed. I'd preferr Kelly as our right back as he is better diciplined. The current theme of Liverpool's tactical discussion is "How do you solve a problem like Glen Johnson"" the only other problem is left back - Johnson can play left back but he is not solid enough to play 30+ games at ledft back.... maybe we could do without buying a left back and rotate Johnson & Insua. I've noticed everyone is avoiding the 4-4-2 formation like the plague, is it that out of fashion nowadays?
I don't think 4-4-2 is attacking enough to be honest. The most successful teams in Europe use an attacking style - it's nicer to watch, you score more goals and it fills the players with confidence. The only downside is the strain is put on the defence to really keep tight and I think with Carragher organising it, and with players like Kelly and Wisdom coming through we're strong enough to settle for a 3 man defence. I'll take Barcelona case in point - they commonly use a 4 man defence. How often do their fullbacks stay in defence though? They're at the head of every attack, leaving the 2 centre backs to pick up the slack. Usually there is 1 centre back left, mostly Puyol who stays back in defence. They defend high, and they don't allow the opponent to get the ball hence starting an attack. That's how football should be played, and it's how we'll get back up there. Pass and move; we specialise in the speed of build up. One minute we've got the ball, the next everyone's up at the other end of the pitch and we've scored. The build up is faster than the midfielders getting back and confuses the defenders. Add that to a style where we keep the ball from the opponent, then an attack could start at any moment and the opposition are too worried about staying in their own half in case we break to run forwards.
I totally agree with this 100% Not only will it keep us fans guessing from game to game - it'll keep opposition managers scratching their heads when they see the team sheet as they won't have a clue how to line up.
4-4-2 just isnt correct with the players we have. We need to play 3 cm as we have so many. 4-3-3 is the most viable option in my opinion- and one which would be the most successful
Heres the 3 formations I feel we will use most often next season; 4-3-3: ---------------------Reina------------------------------- --Johnson-----Agger--------Carragher----------new LB(cisokko?) --Gerrard------------Lucas-----------------Adam---------- --Suarez-------------Carroll-----------------Downing------- 4-4-2: ------------------------Reina------------------------------ ---Johnson-------Agger------Carragher-----------New LB--- --Downing------Gerrard-------Lucas-------------Adam------ ---------------Suarez--------Carroll------------------------ 3-5-2: -----------------------Reina--------------------------------- -----Kelly-----------Carragher------------------New LB------- -Henderson------Lucas--------Adam------------Downing------- ----------------------Gerrard--------------------------------- ----------------Suarez-------Carroll--------------------------- In the 3-5-2 line-up, Gerrard is still in centre mid, however is playing slight more infront of Lucas and Adam, almost like an Attacking midfielder. For me, Charlie Adam HAS to be in the starting XI for us, his crosses/corners/free-kicks are lethal, and will provide the big men like Carroll with plenty of goals next season.
