Liverpool FC Forum

by **aCe'** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:06 pm

In our recent good run of form, we've seen quite a few players step up their game to seemingly justify their claim of a starting spot in the side when fit. Bellamy, Adam and Carroll spring to mind with plenty of vital goals and assists between the trio in the last 3 or so games. That said, we have both Spearing and Suarez available for our next few games and realistically you'd expect them both to make the team sheet when fit and ready.

Now, assuming Gerrard and Suarez are both guaranteed starting roles, that leaves 4 spots up for grabs and approximately 7 or 8 players with decent shouts for inclusion.

1. Charlie Adam (MC) : At his best when given freedom to push forward. Best suited to a 3 man midfield with the other 2 providing decent defensive cover. 8 assists so far this season.

2. Jay Spearing (DMC) : Probably the best defensive midfielder available at the cub in the absence of Lucas. Decent in possession and keeps things simple and tidy. Started 10 games so far this season, we won 8 of them and lost 2 (ManCity & Fulham)

3. Jordan Henderson (MC/AMC/RM) : After a poor start, he's finally found a position where he can contribute to the side down both ends. Statistically, his contribution is still not good enough with only 1 goal and 1 assist to his name in the league this season. However, he has helped add balance to the center of midfield with his defensive work and pressing from all over the pitch in the absence of Lucas and Spearing.

4. Stewart Downing (LW/RW) : Another player who had a bad start. Had good games against City and Utd in the cup games but failed to make the team in the last 2 games (unused vs. fulham and came on as sub against Bolton) and was taken off the prior game after 58 mins. Probably the only natural winger in the side and has proven that he can be effective when he is played down the left flank.

5. Dirk Kuyt (RW/ST) : Unlucky not to have gotten more playing time earlier in the season. One of our in-form players atm with 2 goals in his last 2 games. Brings experience, goals and decent defensive work which are all things we'll need against the likes of Tottenham and ManUtd.

6. Craig Bellamy (LW/ ST) : A strong contender for our player of the season so far. 9 goals and 5 assists in 12 starts is all that needs to be said. Concerns about his fitness might mean that he needs the rest every now and then but with 5 goals in his last 4 starts in the league, we'll probably want to start him in the big games.

7. Andy Carroll (ST) : His last 3 appearance have seen him go from zero to hero. A goal and 2 assists coupled with a general increase in his confidence are exactly what everyone has been calling for. Will be interesting to see if we bench him for Saurez and how he reacts to that.

Personally, I'd go for this as our strongest if everyone is fit and ready.

Spearing Adam
Kuyt Gerrard Bellamy
Suarez

While Henderson and Downing have both improved in recent times, they still haven't been able to produce the assists and goals expected of them at this level. Regarding Carroll, unfortunately for him we have Suarez back who is a much better suited forward to our style of play than he is. I'm still not convinced by the big man but his last few starts have definitely been a massive improvement.

by **Zidane** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:11 pm

The only one I'm quite certain of is Adam being dropped in favor of Gerrard, if Gerrard is healthy. Adam just isn't mobile enough for me against Spurs, they're a fast team and move the ball too quick for Adam. Him and Stevie would leave holes all over midfield and Jay although I rate him pretty highly isn't good enough to cover for both of them. The attacking lineup/formation is going to be the most difficult to predict though.

by **Benny The Noon** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:23 pm

Adam should be back up - yes his "stats" look good but the mask his negatives in a big way. He has no mobility , no positional sense, his desicion making has been shocking, his tracking back and tackling are poor and his set piece delivery has been poor.

To get the best out of Adam you channel everything through him in a free role but he isn't good enough in that free role for our team.

The midfield three ( whilst Lucas is out ) should be

Spearing - the protection, ball winning
Henderson - the energy, quickness on the pass , smart play and good mobility
Gerrard - the creating anchor .

With a three you then go 3 ahead of them and the ones you pick are all based on who you are playing against

For the Spurs game I would go with Kuyt on the right to provide protection agains Bale , Bellamy left ( obvious reasons ) and Suarez .

But there will be plenty of games for Carroll as the centre point with Suarez one side and Downing the other as well as Maxi.

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:43 pm

Adam has been poor recently, overshadowed and overawed by Gerrard.

I would like to see

Henderson. Spearing. Gerrard. Bellamy.

Suarez. Carroll

by **Benny The Noon** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:59 pm

Cant have Henderson out right mate , it's a waste and it doesn't work well.

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 8:51 pm

i'd keep Carroll in the side...he seems to be finding some form and he might (you never know) be on the brink of finding a run of goals.

by **red till i die!!** » Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:32 pm

we are going to have to go at spurs and not sit back as they will skin us again.
id go for.
bellamy adam gerrard downing.

carroll suarez.
bale is a problem regardless of who plays rw.
kuyt doesnt have the pace or inteligence to keep with him where as bellamy will to an extent and will offer us far more on the counter.
downing and enrique have been solid for us on the left so id stick with that.carroll deserves a start after his last 3 games and he should be rewarded with a place.
this will be a tough game and they will come at us,ekotto,bale and walker will hit us from deep with the pace while modric and vdv will pull the strings so i think if we set up to sit back they will murder us.

by **ethanr** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 1:02 am

Carroll must start. He's played really well the last few games, and if he's dropped then that sends a horrible message across. He needs to feel that if he continues to play like he has then he'll be starting every game, and he should. There's no reason to drop him to the bench. I actually see Suarez starting this one on the bench and being subbed in right after the half. He's been out for such a long time that he may not be prepared to properly play a full 90 minutes. I'd love the have him in the starting 11, but not at the expense of Carroll or Bellamy.

by **kazza** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:45 am

Benny The Noon wrote:Cant have Henderson out right mate , it's a waste and it doesn't work well.

Henderson's work rate and defensive play play has improved alot. He maybe quick enough to mark Bale. Kuyte maybe better defensively but slower than Henderson, if Henderson can mark Bale more physically he may be better equiped to keep him quite againt against us on Monday.

by **RedSi35** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:08 am

Cant see any reason to change the lineup.

Winning confident side and all that. Can see the same team starting that finished the second half against Wolves.

Luis will start from the bench im sure, which is probably the right thing to do.

Take the focus away from the race issue.

by **brentd4** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:20 pm

. adam spearing
bellamy downing
gerrard

suarez

by **Thommo's perm** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 1:18 pm

Keep more or less the same team that won the last three

by **aCe'** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 2:59 pm

Thommo's perm wrote:Keep more or less the same team that won the last three

there is no same team; we've been rotating them.

by **Benny The Noon** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 3:04 pm

Thommo's perm wrote:Keep more or less the same team that won the last three

So don't play Gerrard or Suarez then

by **woof woof !** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:04 pm

Benny The Noon wrote:
Thommo's perm wrote:Keep more or less the same team that won the last three

So don't play Gerrard or Suarez then

Fast becoming the forums "resident lemon" .

How does "Keep more or less the same team that won the last three" deserve a response like "So don't play Gerrard or Suarez then

"

Deliberate wummery ?

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