Now, after 6 games with 4 wins and 2 draws, i'm still not very convinced about Liverpool's form this season.
It hasn't been fantastic, they are not winning games like a champion. They are SCRAPPING the wins. Against Stoke City, that's the most frustrating match. So many chances, no goals.
After watching the match against Everton, they still doesnt look champions materials yet.
The question pops up again, WHAT IS LIVERPOOL'S BEST FORMATION?
In my opinion, there are two formations they can apply now.
4-4-2
Reina
Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio
Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Riera
Kuyt Keane
Note that torres is not in the team. Well, you can't expect that man to play all the matches for liverpool. Kuyt and Keane paired up against man utd, and i think they did enough to show that there is at least some chemistry between these 2 players (well, better than torres and keane) You would see that Gerrard is on the right too. Well, Pennant and Benayoun don't seem to be any better choice.
4-2-3-1
Reina
Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio
Mascherano Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
This was the formation they employed mostly in the 2nd half of the 07/08 season. Well, i still think that this is still their best suited formation too. Of course, what about the $20m Keane? Well, i think he can come in for Gerrard. Then perhaps it might work out for this Keane-Torres partnership.
Of course, in these 2 formations, Agger, hyypia, lucas, Babel, Benayoun will be rotated too. Then there is N'gog. I haven't seen much of Degen yet, so maybe he can come in for arbeloa too.
The right wing definitely needs to bring in new players to improve it. Benayoun and Pennant don't bode well for the future. I can't imagine Liverpool being champions with them on the right wing. However, i do feel that Paul Anderson should be given a chance. I see no point in sending our youth players to play in the Coca Cola Championship or League One. Why arent we sending them to other country's premier league and let them prosper? Look at Vela for Arsenal last season, he went to the premier liga and came back a better striker for them already.
Seriously, had the right wing problem been resolved ever since Rafael Benitez came? Diouf and Murphy had left when he came, he brought in Nunez, Luis Garcia, Pennant and Benayoun. Besides for Benayoun's cup brillance, Luis Garcia's and Pennant's inconsistant performance, there was nothing entertaining on the right wing.
I would love to see some right players being brought in, like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marko Marin, Ibrahim Afellay or Jesus Nevas. Also, it will be great to have Michael Owen brought back. We need another Center-midfielder too. Alonso had been miscued in all his shots this season, his passing isn't so great and accurate too this season.
Last but not least, a suggestion for the lineup against Man City next sunday.
Reina
Arbeloa Skrtel Carragher Agger
Kuyt Mascherano Gerrard Riera
Keane Torres
Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Dossena, Alonso, Benayoun, Lucas, Babel
Keane and Torres partnership? different from what i say? yes i know, but rafa is more likely to try with keane and torres, right? Besides, they can use their pace to threaten Dunne and Richards. Agger at left back, yeah, i thought we might need someone with strength on the left back, to deal with wright phillips. Hopefully arbeloa will be able to hold off Robinho. Gerrard and Mascherano in the middle, Mascherano dealing with the threat Stephen Ireland might pose, and Gerrard doing what he does best to attack and bomb the man city goal and grab the 100th Liverpool's Barclays Premier League Goal and Gerrard's 100th goal for Liverpool.
All the best, Liverpool!
and well done, Torres! For the brace against everton.
