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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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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Well, gerrards supposed to be the most unlikely so i'd go for him being out and Rafa using this formation.
ReplyDelete--------------------------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
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.
ReplyDeleteReina
Johnson ------ Carra --– Agger ---- Aurelio
-
Gerrard --- Masch
Kuyt Aquilani Benayoun
Torres
................ The Reds --++We will get through this again++
Well without Gerrard And Aquilani:
ReplyDelete---------------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..
NGOG did his hamstring v Lyon so I think he and Steven Gerard will be out
ReplyDelete<span>Riena
Johnson------Carragher------Skirt------Insua
-----------------Lucas---------Mascherano
-----------------------benayoun
-------Kuyt---------------------------Aurelio
----------------------Torres </span>
is probably correct.
No Lucas I said just concentrate on this squad.. it will be beter..
ReplyDelete--------------------Reina--------------------
--Johnson--Carragher---Agger---Insua---
-------------Aurelio-------Masch--------------
---Kuyt-----Babel-----Benayoun----------
---------------Torres--------------
Kelly is injured
ReplyDeleteMy team selection would be
ReplyDelete1Reina
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
same
ReplyDeleteeveryone 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<table>
ReplyDelete<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>
i wouldnt be surprised to see aurelio in centre midfield.
ReplyDeletemaybe skrtel instead of carra
"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."
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It happened before. Old Traford last season for example...
<div>
</div>
"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."
ReplyDeleteExactly. Old Traford last season for example...
Get a life! Your not playing soccer manager now mate!
ReplyDeletei love u torres!!!
ReplyDeleteour beloverd liverpool has come back...
is the game televized in the US??/
ReplyDelete