24 Oct 2009

LIVERPOOL v MAN UNITED - 442 or 4231? Possible line-ups for tomorrow's crunch game

Defeat against Man United on Sunday is unthinkable, and the decisions Rafa Benitez makes for that game could literally make or break Liverpool's season. Despite the doom and gloom hovering over the club at the moment, if Rafa keeps it simple and goes with aces in their places, I fully expect Liverpool to beat United.

Earlier in the week, I presented 11 reasons why I think Liverpool have struggled this season and 10 suggestions on how to get the season back on track. I argued that main thing Liverpool need to do is play aces in their places, and this is especially important for tomorrow's game.

That means no untested formations (i.e. 343); no square pegs in round holes, and players in their best/most comfortable positions.

So - taking into account all possible permutations, here are my possible line-ups for tomorrow:

1. WITH GERRARD, TORRES + JOHNSON

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

Johnson ------ Carra --– Agger ---- Insua

------------- Gerrard --- Masch

Kuyt ----------- Benyoun --------- Aurelio

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

It's highly unlikely that Gerrard, Torres and Johnson will all play, but if they do, this, in my view, is Liverpool's strongest possible line-up (without Aquilani and the injured Riera).

If Rafa springs a surprise and starts Aquilani, then I would play:

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

Johnson ------ Carra --– Agger ---- Aurelio

------------- Gerrard --- Masch

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

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

With everyone fit, the above is Liverpool's strongest possible team. As I argued earlier in the week, Aquilani should play behind Torres whilst he's getting used to the Premiership. The last thing we need is for him to sustain another injury in the hustle and bustle of midfield. Furthermore, Gerrard and Aquilani can easily alternate positions as and when required.

2. WITHOUT GERRARD, TORRES + JOHNSON (Worst case scenario)

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

Kelly ------- Carra –----- Agger ---- Insua

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

Babel ----------- Benayoun ------- Aurelio

------------------- Kuyt

If Aquilani starts, then:

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

Kelly ------- Carra –----- Agger ---- Aurelio

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

Babel ----------- Aquilani ------- Benayoun

------------------- Kuyt

3. WITHOUT GERRARD/WITH JOHNSON + TORRES

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

Johnson ----- Carra – Agger ---- Insua

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

Kuyt ----------- Benyoun --------- Aurelio

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

If Aquilani starts:


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

Johnson ----- Carra – Agger ---- Aurelio

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

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

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

4. POSSIBLE 442 FORMATION?

This has to be a possibility - After all, 442 was used last season when Liverpool beat United at Anfield:

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

Arbeloa------- Carra – Skrtel ---- Aurelio

Benayoun ---- Alonso -- Masch ----- Riera

---------------- Kuyt -- Keane

Liverpool could be in the same position this season with regards to personel, i.e. no Gerrard or Torres, so playing 442 again seems logical.

i) WITH GERRARD, TORRES + JOHNSON

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

Johnson ------- Carra – Agger ---- Aurelio

Babel ---- Gerrard -- Masch ----- Benayoun

---------------- Kuyt -- Torres

ii) WITHOUT GERRARD, TORRES + JOHNSON

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

Kelly ------- Carra – Agger ---- Aurelio

Babel ---- Lucas -- Masch ----- Benayoun

---------------- Kuyt -- N'Gog

There is a difference though: last season, we had Xabi Alonso pulling the strings in midfield, and the Spaniard put in a superb performance. In a 442, I just do not think a midfield of Lucas and Mascherano is good enough. As such, I would stick with 4231 for the game.

Liverpool won WELL against United last season at Anfield without Gerrard and Torres; there's no reason why lightning can't strike twice.

----

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17 comments:

  1. Well, gerrards supposed to be the most unlikely so i'd go for him being out and Rafa using this formation.
    --------------------------Riena
    Johnson------Carragher------Skirt------Insua
    -----------------Lucas---------Mascherano
    -----------------------benayoun
    -------Kuyt---------------------------Aurelio
    ----------------------Torres

    however, i'd pick this.

    -----------------------Riena
    Johnson----Carragher-----Skirt------Insua
    -----------------Aurelio--Mascherano
    --------------------Benayoun
    -----Kuyt----------------------------Babel
    ---------------------Torres

    If Torres is out also i'd have this.
    -----------------------riena
    Johnson------Carragher---Skirt------Insua
    Babel---------Aurelio--Mascherano--Benayoun
    -----------------Kuyt------Ngog

    ReplyDelete
  2. We must play somebody alongside Masch in midfield as long as it's not LUCAS coz we'll definitely lose the midfield battle with him around and as if we are playing with 10 men.I honestly think he's among the worst,if not the worst, midfielders in the whole Premiership.

    ReplyDelete
  3.                         
                                           Reina

               
                   Johnson ------ Carra --– Agger ---- Aurelio

    -               
                                      Gerrard --- Masch


                       Kuyt                 Aquilani              Benayoun

                                            Torres

                     
     ................ The Reds  --++We will get through this again++
                                      

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well without Gerrard And Aquilani:
     ---------------Reina
    --Johnson----Agger----Carragher-----Aurelio--
                                                                                          
    ----------Lucas--------Masch----

    ---Kuyt-----------Benayoun-------Babel (no other space for him)
      
      --------------------Torres------------
    Without Torres And Aquilani:

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

    --Johnson--Carragher---Agger---Aurelio--

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

    ---Babel-----Gerrard-----Benayoun
          
    ---------------Kuyt--------------
    If Johnson doesnt play either have degen(not bad defensive or attking) or carragher RB then skrtel and agger there..

    ReplyDelete
  5. NGOG did his hamstring v Lyon so I think he and Steven Gerard will be out

    <span>Riena 
    Johnson------Carragher------Skirt------Insua 
    -----------------Lucas---------Mascherano 
    -----------------------benayoun 
    -------Kuyt---------------------------Aurelio 
    ----------------------Torres </span>

    is probably correct.

    ReplyDelete
  6. No Lucas I said just concentrate on this squad.. it will be beter..

    --------------------Reina--------------------  
     
    --Johnson--Carragher---Agger---Insua--- 
     
    -------------Aurelio-------Masch--------------
     
    ---Kuyt-----Babel-----Benayoun---------- 
            
    ---------------Torres--------------

    ReplyDelete
  7. My team selection would be 


                                                1Reina

    2 Carra<span> </span>4 Skyrtel<span> </span>6 Agger<span> </span>   3 Aurelio



                                            5 Mascherano  


                          8 Gerrard                          10  Aquilani

    7 Johnson                                                                       11  Riera 

                                            9 Torres



    Manager Rafa Benitez

    Res:-  Lucas, Insua,Benayuon,Kuyt &Ngog

    ReplyDelete
  8. everyone seems to forget that rafa will for some reason not play babel and i am sure he wont start tomorrow, people also forget that ngog is much preferd to kuyt upfront. and we have to play lucas because jay spearing is the alternitive. P.S

    ReplyDelete
  9. <table>
    <tbody>
    <tr>
    <td>
    <div>everyone seems to forget that rafa will for some reason not play babel; and i am sure he wont start tomorrow.  People also forget that ngog is much preferd to kuyt upfront. And we have to play lucas because jay spearing is the alternitive. </div>
    <div></div>
    <div>P.S Aquilani wont play</div>
    </td>
    </tr>
    </tbody>
    </table>

    ReplyDelete
  10. i wouldnt be surprised to see aurelio in centre midfield.

    maybe skrtel instead of carra

    ReplyDelete
  11. "We must play somebody alongside Masch in midfield as long as it's not LUCAS coz we'll definitely lose the midfield battle with him around and as if we are playing with 10 men."

    Agreed. It happened before. Old Traford last season for example...
    <div>
    </div>

    ReplyDelete
  12. "We must play somebody alongside Masch in midfield as long as it's not LUCAS coz we'll definitely lose the midfield battle with him around and as if we are playing with 10 men."

    Exactly. Old Traford last season for example...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Get a life! Your not playing soccer manager now mate!

    ReplyDelete
  14. i love u torres!!!

    our beloverd liverpool has come back...

    ReplyDelete
  15. is the game televized in the US??/

    ReplyDelete