Liverpool FC Forum

[Effes]

I know this could have gone in the game thread but just wanted to gauge people's opinions.
And then compare to what Rafa actually decides on.

I've got a feeling Rafa will go for 4-4-1-1.

But I would prefer 4-4-2 (Gerrard on right), as I think Chelsea are uncomfortable if you attack them.

What formation would you prefer to see at Stamford Bridge?

N.B. I think the Momo or Mascherano debate is less decisive.

[Sabre]

I know I'm going to be in the side with less votes, but for Stamford Bridge, I'd pick a 4-4-1-1. I don't consider it defensive, and the results with that system have been 3 wins, and a draw. One of the wins, against Arsenal.

The only doubt I have is who to put forward, and the left side of the team. I'd play Gerrard on front of Mascherano and Alonso, with Pennant on the right.

[Stu.Murph]

I know I'm going to be in the side with less votes, but for Stamford Bridge, I'd pick a 4-4-1-1. I don't consider it defensive, and the results with that system have been 3 wins, and a draw. One of the wins, against Arsenal.

The only doubt I have is who to put forward, and the left side of the team. I'd play Gerrard on front of Mascherano and Alonso, with Pennant on the right.

2-3-2-1-1-1

Including the goalkeeper.

[SJD]

I'd prefer to see us go out and go after them in the first half hour and see where that gets us like we did at Anfield this year. I'd go with the 4-4-2 of:

Reina

Finnan
Carra
Hyypia
Arbeloa

Pennant
Gerrard
Xabi Alonso
Riise

Kuyt
Crouch

I'd leave Agger out for this one as the experience of Sami will be vital on such a big night. Even though he had a bit of a stinker a few seasons ago in the league when Drogba made a fool of him - I wouldn't count Sami out yet and he's a lot more of an option in the set piece department, where a match like this is normally settled.

Riise at Left Mid is a LOT better than Left back so Arbeloa takes that place by default due to injuries etc. Gonzo and Kewell should not be considered due to the latter still on the come back trail and the former being a barrel of sh.it not fit to wear the shirt.

Gerrards our best player and should be played in his most comfortable position against one of the best teams in the world. Central Midfield. Alonside Xabi but I would consider Maschereno if he had been here a bit longer. Pennant has made the step up the last few weeks and has looked dangerous. Maybe Chelsea can be his favourite team with the cracker he hit in January.

Kuyt and Crouch is not the most mobile of strike forces but with Gerrard and Pennant bombing forward adding the pace, the workman like qualities of Kuyt and Crouch will mean the Chelsea defence will know there in a game.

However Rafa's the master of illusions and could easliy go with 4-5-1 with Gerrard off Crouch etc.

Our squad offers a lot of options so to guess the team it near impossible.

[Jan Cuelemans]

I think it could be along the lines of

                                            Reina

          Finnan            Carra                Aggar       Arbeloa

                           Mascherano          Alonso

  Pennant                         Gerrard                            Riise

                                       Kuyt

[Effes]

I think it could be along the lines of

                                            Reina

          Finnan            Carra                Aggar       Arbeloa

                           Mascherano          Alonso

  Pennant                         Gerrard                            Riise

                                       Kuyt

That'll be 4-4-1-1 then?

Feel free to vote

[Igor Zidane]

Where's militiarusha when you need him ? I'm going for the classic 4 2 3 1 , works every time.

[Jan Cuelemans]

I think it could be along the lines of

                                            Reina

          Finnan            Carra                Aggar       Arbeloa

                           Mascherano          Alonso

  Pennant                         Gerrard                            Riise

                                       Kuyt

That'll be 4-4-1-1 then?

Feel free to vote

I thought it was 4-2-3-1 but what do I know.

[Sabre]

By 4-4-1-1 I meant something very similar to that mate

I usually see football from a seat that formations are well seen at the beginning of the game. Then depending of each team you see that it's all very relative and switches dynamically to other formations depending every game situation.

If I was you I'd vote 4-4-1-1, not because it's my option, but because it suits better. Perhaps it could be asked generically wether we'd use one, or two strikers, but if you ask the question that way, many people will think that you're asking about a defensive or attacking approach.

Formations? it's all very relative. I've seen 4-4-2 defensive as fúck, and 4-5-1, with no attacking midfielder making a lot of goals.

[Effes]

I think it could be along the lines of

                                            Reina

          Finnan            Carra                Aggar       Arbeloa

                           Mascherano          Alonso

  Pennant                         Gerrard                            Riise

                                       Kuyt

That'll be 4-4-1-1 then?

Feel free to vote

I thought it was 4-2-3-1 but what do I know.

Mate, what you've put forward IS a 4-5-1 I suppose, but fits the 4-4-1-1 in the poll best.

Whatever.......

[redtrader74]

Hey has anyone thought of playing Mascherano and Sissoko with Gerrard on the right, Alonso centre, Riise left Crouchy up front?
I just cant see them getting through that midfield and we would have lots of the ball and that would really get the fans on their back. With those two shielding the back it would allow Gerrard and Alonso to join in attack. I believe that would get us the win, as once we score they couldn't get one back. COME ON    

[Jan Cuelemans]

I think it could be along the lines of

                                            Reina

          Finnan            Carra                Aggar       Arbeloa

                           Mascherano          Alonso

  Pennant                         Gerrard                            Riise

                                       Kuyt

That'll be 4-4-1-1 then?

Feel free to vote

I thought it was 4-2-3-1 but what do I know.

Mate, what you've put forward IS a 4-5-1 I suppose, but fits the 4-4-1-1 in the poll best.

Whatever.......

Sorry, I didn't see the poll options before posting.

[Aaron]

I'll go with what Rafa decides, he's a master at tactics

[SJD]

I'll go with what Rafa decides, he's a master at tactics

In Europe - Correct.

In England - Not yet.

The potential is there but he tends to think too much about the opposition sometimes. For examples look at Bolton (A), Everton (A) and Villa (A).

He is too busy counter-acting their tactics to worry about ours sometimes. Also the rotation was baffling at the start of the season.

But he's a very good manager nonetheless.

[JoeTerp]

Some of the choices are sooooo hard to make.  Gerrard on the right seems safe sensable and strong,  but Pennant has been ON FORM as of late and Stevie plays his best in the centre.  But then it comes to who to pair stevie with in the middle between alonso and mascherano or both with stevie in an attacking role which probably isnt his best position either.  I guess what it comes to is are you going to get more out of Gerrard as an attacking midfielder or a second striker.  Kuyt is the stiker on the best form right now, but he hasnt proved ANYTHING on the road or in the CL, Crouch I feel peaked his form 2-3 weeks ago and we could make a mistake buy playing him while he is cooling down, and when crouch isnt on his game he is the worst of our strikers if all of them werent on their game due to the work rate of kuyt and bellamy.  Bellamy just  seems  to rusty to get the shot despite posing a unique threat against the Chelsea defense with stong counter attack possibilities.

I guess this means I chose
                    reina
    Finnan   Carra    Agger     Arbeloa
Pennant  Mascherano  Alonso    Riise
               Gerrard
                         Kuyt (but sub crouch early if Kuyt isn't putting up a real goal threat maybe sub him on for one of mascherano or alonso if it isnt really Kuyt's fault)