Liverpool FC Forum

[stmichael]

On a more frequent basis next season?

It just seems logical on all grounds, especially with the Babel transfer probably going through in the next 48 hours or so. Certainly when we're playing at home anyway.

I mean Torres is ideal for the formation, Kuyt has played in a front three for his country and Kewell is ideal for the formation. It also gets the best out of the central midfield and stops the Gerrard positional debate.

[puroresu]

Rafa to cautious for that isnt he?

[grayghost]

I was just about to start a thread along the same lines but i may as well post here.

I was thinking the same thing if we get this Babel lad are formation could look something like this.

..................Reina..................
Finnan....Agger......JC.........Rise
.......Maceriano.......Alonso.........
................Gerrard..................
Babel.............Torres..........Kwell

If so then i would be happy to a degree.Ii would like to see that Quraesma and maybe Alves in there aswell but thats pushing it a bit then again we have'nt spent a penny so far ao why not.

[Redtribe]

I think this could well be a formation that is used, i certainly would not mind seing it as for me it probably makes the most out of the players we have.

Could see Kuyt or Crouch as the lead striker with a choice of Pennant, Kewell, Rise,  Babbel, Torres or Aurelio playing either side depending on how attacking or defensive he wants to be.
Maybe though we are lacking slightly in a more withdrawn right sided midfielder if Rafa wants to be more protected down that side.

[JoeTerp]

I hope that we do, plays to our strength in the fact that we had rediculous depth at CM. Keeps Gerrard in the centre, gets Momo in the subs bench instead of off the squad  Plus considering our other targets Quaresma (played as a part of an attacking threesome before), and yossi it seems to fit. I think you are spot on (course i brought the idea up right after we signed torres, but got shot down cuz i put him wide instead of Kuyt)  Plus El Zhar if he is good enough to break through seems to be ideal cover for one of those outside roles, what do you call someone playing in that role a winger? a wide forward?

Does Pennant offer enough going forward to fit in this formation? i wouldn't think so.  i would think him as well as riise or aurelio as midfield options are eliminated by this formation.  Where would Voronin operate? i think I might have heard that he could play wide on the right in that formation, and I am guessing crouch would be the option behind Torres.

                      Mascherano
       Gerrard                          Alonso
                           
Babel                                                Kewell
                           Torres

I think that would give us a little more width in midfield, and deal with the fact that Gerrard sometimes likes to drift right, or run to the centre from the right.  And its not like Alonso is playing much further left than if he was LCM in a 4-4-2

[Redtribe]

Not sure if Torres would be my lead striker i think he has too much to offer in pace and dribbling skills. I think Kuyt and crouch to play up front this the gives the added advantage of a target to hit with a longer ball if needed and gives the opposition a little more to deal with.
Torres i'm sure could do well in that slighly wider role.

Although not his natural game i also think Pennant may be able to improve and add to his game if required to fulfil this role. he may also give a touch more protection on the flank if needed!

[stmichael]

Although not his natural game i also think Pennant may be able to improve and add to his game if required to fulfil this role. he may also give a touch more protection on the flank if needed!

He doesn't offer enough of a goal threat for me. All of your front three in a 4-3-3 need to provide a goal threat.

I can only see Pennant starting in a 4-4-2.

[RUSHIE#9]

We've certainly got the personnel to go 433 now but I would imagine we'd only see this at Anfield as on the road I expect Rafa will remain his cautious old self. It would give any visitors to Anfield plenty to think about with three out and out attacking players at the front and then Gerrard in midfield possibly also getting forward when the play allows.

Personally I think we'll stick with the 442 formation but Rafa likes players that are versatile and with Babel being just that (assuming we sign him)then we'd have the ability to alter the formation as and when required whilst matches are going on (i.e. 433) without having players moving to unfavoured positions.
Going on what has been said on here as well Quaresma may also be able to slot into that sort of formation should Rafa pursue his initial interest.

[Redtribe]

I think i may have to have a slightly differing opinion.
I could see Pennant playing there ok it will be possibly more like a 4-5-1 but i do think that he has it in him to improve in that area. Maybe i'm a little too optimistic but i really do think that he will be one of our most improved players by the end of next season. I think at last he is getting his head down and realising that he needs to work on his game.

As i have said i think he can play in that role to make it more compact and slightly more defensive and lets face it, is it really unlike Rafa to play it defensive some times?

[stmichael]

lets face it, is it really unlike Rafa to play it defensive some times?

no but surely the signings of torres and babel signify a move in the right direction?

we used 3-4-3 quite a bit away from home last season so it's not completely out of the realms of possibility that we'll see three upfront more this season. i certainly think we'll see gerrard more in the middle aswell this season, especially at home.

[Redtribe]

Definitley a move in the right direction as far as quality of personel.
But i still think that more difficult away games he will be more likely to adopt 4-5-1/4-3-3
with the likes of Pennant wide rather then say Torres!
To be honest this discussion could go for ever as there are so many possibilities available!!
But i'll stick to my guns, i still think that pennant can play a part in a 4-3-3 formation.

[benf]

no but i think we will give it a try and it won't work as well as 4-4-2

[burjennio]

Can't see Rafa goin 4 3 3 for me guys, its a formation that only requires 1 recognised striker and we have 4. Kuijt was  ineffective on the wings last season, and Vorinin and Torres have played there for their national teams in a 433 with limited results, and that just leaves Crouchy

[redmikey]

he has never played that way with valencia or us to the best of my memory

rafa like the 4 5 1 if anything so that he can adapt it to a 4 3 3 if we are attacking and revert back in defensive duties

there is no point putting up likely first teams as rafa has run out of breath saying he likes to use his whole sqad and that includeds all the players at the clob

[Redtribe]

But in your opinion do you think 4-3-3 wil utilize our best players?