19 Feb 2015

'Attack them': Aldo urges Liverpool to unleash 'brilliant' €20m attacker against Besiktas

After months of underperformance, €20m summer-signing Mario Balotelli is finally making an impact for Liverpool, and according to Anfield legend John Aldridge, it's time for Brendan Rodgers to finally unleash the Sturridge-Balotelli striker partnership.

Previewing Liverpool's Europa League clash with Besiktas, Aldo insisted that the Besiktas game is the 'perfect opportunity' to see if the Sturridge-Balotelli partnership 'can develop'. He explained:

"I’d attack them [Besiktas] by playing Balotelli alongside Sturridge in attack. Against Spurs and...Crystal Palace...Sturridge better once Balotelli was on the pitch. Let’s see what he can do from the start against the Turks".

Starting 'brilliant' Balotelli inevitably means changing the current 343 formation, which seems risky considering the its success over the last couple of months. Possibilities with Balotelli starting:

4132

------------------- Mignolet

Can ------- Skrtel -------- Sakho ------ Moreno

------------------- Allen

----- Hendo ------- Lallana ----- Coutinho

----------- Sturridge - Balotelli

4411

------------------- Mignolet

Can ------- Skrtel -------- Sakho ------ Moreno

Lallana-------- Hendo -- Allen ----- Coutinho

--------------- Balotelli

----------------- Sturridge

4321

------------------- Mignolet

Can ------- Skrtel -------- Sakho ------ Moreno

-------- Hendo ---- Allen ----- Lallana

------------ Coutinho - Balotelli

----------------- Sturridge

Can Balotelli and Sturridge fit into a 343? Yes, but only at the expense of either Coutinho or Lallana:

------------------- Mignolet

------- Can ------- Skrtel -------- Sakho

---- Ibe ----- Hendo ---- Allen ----- Moreno

------------ Coutinho - Balotelli

----------------- Sturridge

Ultimately, Balotelli in a 343 (or starting) is only a possibility as a result of Sterling and Gerrard being injured. If those two were fit, there'd be no need for this discussion as there'd be zero chance of him starting the game.

Unless he suddenly turns into a goal-machine, there's no way Balotelli will displace Sterling or Gerrard, and even with the skipper leaving this summer, I can't see how the Italian will ever become a regular starter for Liverpool.

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22 comments:

  1. I think we can still use 3412. Coutinho/Sterling(if he's fit) just behind Sturridge and Ballo. Maintain our backline and midfield as is and simply change up the top 3.Essentially sacrificing one playmaker for a striker. Sturridge does like to come deeper in on occasion and ballo as a stagnant striker ready to pounce so it can work.

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  2. No Can ???????????????????

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  3. Both those players tend to come deep. It is a slight change but can be effective as we would still be looking to work between the lines.

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  4. he's still young and should get a rest at some point IMO

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  5. Think it would be foolish of BR to revert to 4 at the back at this moment in time. We need to carry on the momentum gained from playing 3 at the back and thus I wouldn't risk starting Balotelli tonight. This is a competition we should be looking at winning and for that reason I would go with the following formation...


    -----------------Mignolet
    -------Lovren---Skrtlel---Sakho
    Ibe-------Hendo------Can-------Moreno
    -----------Sterling-----Coutinho
    ------------------Sturridge


    Would really like to see Lovren given a run out sooner rather than later just to see if he can start to calm down and prove his worth now we have a much more settled, better team. Otherwise why the hell did we spend 20M in the first place. Also would realise Can into midfield disposing of the need to play Allen...I cry every time I see his name on the team sheet.

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  6. Please tell me what Dybala has done to justify this? Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world although not entirely convinced he would fit our style of play that well.

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  7. 3-4-1-2 with Ibe on wing back... Lovren to start- final exam for him...

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  8. If (and its a big if) Bayern were willing to sell him he would definitely be going for upwards of £40 Million. The second issue here is he would hardly be short of offers if this did arise and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see him end up at United.

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  9. Gotta say, it's been a long time since I've looked forward to a Europa league tie this much; probably because we're in such good form as a unit and I want to see us continue that progression. A good win tonight will again act as real confidence booster going into the next two big Premier League games.


    I think it's an ideal game to play Balo and Sturridge together, for the first half at least. Couts looked a bit knackered in the last game and could probably do with a rest. Stick with 3-4-3, possibly with Ibe at wing back. That'd be my choice.

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  10. I'd rather spend £37m on Lewandowski than Pjanic

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  11. Lallana has bin in good form recently so he should replace Cou who clearly needs a rest. Ibe would have started the game against crystal palace if he wasn't cup tied, so he will certainly get a start (either at wingback or in the front 3)
    Can deserves a break to, Lovren and Toure are both good solutions.

    Team almost pick's itself really

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  12. Yep, totally agree with that. I'd totally forgotten about Toure, but I'd still like to see Lovren in for Can.

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  13. I really don't buy into this Can needs a rest chatter...He hardly played in the early part of the season due to injuries and poor form. Subsequently he has started about 10 games over the last couple of months, I don't understand how that equates to him needing a rest? Not for me, with our lack of options in midfield (Lucas and Gerrard out and Allen hopeless) we need him more than ever. I would push Can up into midfield and start Lovren to see if he can start to justify the huge price tag.

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  14. The team I like to see play tonight.

    ...............................Mignolet............"......................

    ............toure................Skertel...............sakho............

    ..Ibe.."..........................Can.................................Moreno

    ..."........henderson........".............Coutinho ..................

    .....................sturridge............balotelli ........".........................

    Subs,Ward,Lovren,Allen,Lambert,Lallana,Manquillo, Williams

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  15. No thats not true.

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  16. That's the most stupid statement I have ever heard,why would you want a club that you claim to support want to see the collapse,are you a manc by any chance our just of your rocker.

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  17. Lovren and Balo. Redemption is calling.

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  18. Ibrahimovic most be the most cocky footballer ever and I would hate to sign the dick head as he would drag the dressing room down and cause splits so he would not be worth the crap.its bad enough with Mario imagine the 2 of them in the same dressing room.

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  19. Unless Liverpool have one of their storming nights, I can see this tie being decided by one goal. So no away goal tonight please.

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  20. I am getting older and I need more rest!

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  21. That might be true but players before their prime can risk long term in juries by playing too much.

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  22. Mignolet

    Lovren. Skrtel Sakho

    Ibe Can Allen Moreno

    Balotelli. Lallana
    Sturridge

    - Lovren in, he needs game time!

    - Allen to partner Can in the central midfield because of his impressive performance vs. Crystal Palace.

    - Balotelli to start in a front 3 with Lallana and Sturridge.

    - Ibe's chance to develop further with Markovic serving a 4 match european ban

    - Coutinho, Henderson rested as they both have played alot of games lately and Coutinho looked tired in the last match.

    - Sterling still an injury doubt? Should be on the bench.

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