The ALBERTO AQUILANI PROBLEM: Where will he play + will he be used effectively?

Liverpool fans should hopefully see Alberto Aquilani in a red shirt for the first time at the end of this month, but where will the Italian fit into the team and will he be used effectively?

With three defeats in 8 premiership games already, the pressure is on for Liverpool to start producing premiership winning performances on a more consistent basis. There is also huge pressure on Aquilani to show that he is capable of:

1. Staying fit.
2. Making a consistent, positive contribution to the team’s success.

Fan expectation has risen to ridiculous levels since the Italian’s signing, and given Liverpool’s less than impressive start to the season, fans seem to be expecting Aquilani to be some kind of saviour, as if his mere presence is going to change everything for the better.

The reality is there will be no instant quick fix, and Aquilani’s effectiveness will largely depend upon how Rafa Benitez chooses to utilise him in the team.

In the title I referred to the 'Alberto Aquilani problem'. It's a problem because, inevitably, one or more of Liverpool's key players will have to miss out to accommodate him.

Here are a few examples:

LINEUP 1 – 4231

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

---------------------------- Mascherano

----------------------------------------------- Aquilani

Kuyt -------------- ----------- Gerrard ------------------- Benayoun

-------------------------------- Torres

This is nominally a 4231 formation, but in practice, Aquilani will hopefully play higher up the field. Two defensive-minded holding midfielders are not required – especially at home - and with Mascherano protecting the back four, there will (hopefully) be no need for Aquilani to prioritise defensive duty over attack.

That formation is lacking any real width, which would be provided by having Albert Riera in the side.

LINEUP 2 – 4231

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

---------------------------- Mascherano

----------------------------------------------- Aquilani

Kuyt -------------- ----------- Gerrard -------------------Riera

-------------------------------- Torres

The inclusion of Riera would probably mean Yossi Benayoun dropping to the bench, but I wouldn’t want that to happen, especially given the Israeli’s superb creative contribution for the team this year. Benayoun deserves to be an automatic starter.

What about the Lucas factor? Rafa Benitez has his favourites, and Lucas is definitely one of them. And to be fair, the Brazilian has been a steady performer this season, which is why I can’t see Benitez just dumping him to make way for Aquilani.

Lucas is progressing well, and as much as I think he deserves to be in the team at the moment, hard choices need to be made, and when it comes to doing what is best for the TEAM, Lucas is surely the player who must make way?

Having said that, OPTA stats this season show that Lucas is one of the most effective tacklers in the Premiership - streets ahead of fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano. As such, there is an argument that Mascherano should be the player to make way, which could lead to the following line-up:

LINEUP 3: 4231

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

---------------------------- Lucas

----------------------------------------------- Aquilani

Kuyt -------------- ----------- Gerrard ------------------- Benayoun

-------------------------------- Torres

Does Lucas have what it takes to play the holding role effectively? It’s a big responsibility, and I think against poorer teams, this line-up could be very effective. However, in the Champions League and against the best defences, I think Mascherano is probably a better option here as he is far more tenacious and physical.

Lucas is also NOT a holding midfielder; he is more of an Aquilani type player; someone who should be playing further up the field, not throwing himself into last-ditch tackles. In any event, I am against converting Lucas into a defensive midfielder; we’ve had enough of that already with the conversions of Kuyt and Babel.

If Rafa is stubborn, and he IS (!), then I think we will see Lucas shoehorned into the side at the expense of other players/what is best for the team. We have already seen that this season with Benitez’s refusal to replace Lucas with Gerrard in central midfield. What indication is there that he is going to change his philosophy now?

There are a couple of other formations to consider:

LINEUP 4 : 4231

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

------------------------- Gerrard --- Aquilani

Kuyt -------------- ---------- Benayoun -------------------Riera

-------------------------------- Torres

In this line-up, the Gerrard-Torres partnership is sacrificed for balance on the left and Benayoun as the link-man. I personally like this line-up, and I don’t see why it couldn’t be effective against some teams. Gerrard is used to playing in the centre; indeed, some fans argue it’s his best position.

On the negative side, using Gerrard as a defensive midfielder brings its own problems, positional indiscipline; roaming around and leaving gaps in the centre; tendency to waste possession with too many Hollywood balls; rash tackles etc. Plus, Gerrard probably doesn’t want to play there anymore, which would lead to the inevitable sulking.

LINEUP 5: 442 (or 4-4-1-1)

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

Kuyt ------------------ Masch --- Aquilani ------------- Benayoun

-------------------------- Gerrard

--------------------------------------- Torres

Once again, this could be a very effective formation; the Gerrard/Torres partnership is preserved, and Kuyt could easily interchange with Gerrard on occasion.

What I don’t want to see is Aquilani played out of position. He is a central midfielder so he must be played there. Let’s hope we don’t see this:

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

---------------------------- Lucas -- Masch

Kuyt -------------- ----------- Gerrard ------------------- Aquilani

-------------------------------- Torres

With Benitez’s track record of playing square pegs in round holes, I wouldn’t bet against it. For the record, my preferred formation is LINEUP 1:

--------------------------------- Reina

Johnson --------------- Carra ------ Skrtel/Agger ------------ Aurelio

---------------------------- Mascherano

----------------------------------------------- Aquilani

Kuyt -------------- ----------- Gerrard ------------------- Benayoun

-------------------------------- Torres

If it's a choice between Riera and Benayoun making way, it has to be Riera in my view. And as much as I think Liverpool can survive without Mascherano, until Masch leaves and we have a more suitable replacement, he has to be in the side ahead of Lucas.

The positive thing is Liverpool can change formations/personnel to match the opposition, which should mean everyone gets to play their part.

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