Liverpool FC Forum

by **sgs** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:14 pm

Looking back to the match vs Anderlecht, the formation used and players deployed, especially with Gerrard on the right and Garcia on the left, and then Momo and Xabi in the center, I come to the conclusion that Rafa's finally found his team for the season. The formation may vary, as usually depending on the demands of each new game, but the impression I take from this game is that we have reached the season's watershed. And its not just about Nnado scoring, or Cisse; not even of Gerrard playing on the right. Its more a mental thing, the calm professional assurance...even swagger..
Perhaps we've truly come to the self belief- we are European champions!

by **wrighty (not mark!)** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:25 pm

It looks good so far doesn't it? However we all know that Stevie G's position is central midfield. As we all know, the reason why he is on the right is because he is that good, he can play anywhere.Hence, at this moment in time, he is the best to be used for that position without central midfield suffering too badly.

Noting this though. As mentioned, I can see Benitez using this deployment in general up until January as I am sure we will have a new right winger and Stevie can revert back to his favoured central role.

It was well documented that Garcia played for Tenerife on-loan under Rafa a few seasons back. Some people might not know that it was this time that he was playing on the left subsequently scoring around 20 goals in a season. Phenomenal record. If he can play at least half as good on the left now as he did then, in terms of goals, our team will be better off.

It comes no surprise to me that with this line-up in terms of width that all of a sudden Morientes scores. Garcia's goal?A product of a v.good right sided cross from Steve Finnan.

I do feel, this will be the favoured line up and formation up until January. Depending on the personnel that Rafa bring in, expect a change.

by **Gareth G** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:32 pm

What do you guy's think will happen to Luis Garcia when two winger's are bought? Can you see him playing up front and partnering our other striker's?

by **Sabre** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:36 pm

That's a tricky question... I don't see him as a second striker although last year scored a number of goals. I certainly don't see him playing instead of Alonso or Gerrard. He'd become a "golden" substitute.

Sabre

by **wrighty (not mark!)** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:39 pm

He certainly can make things happen. C'mon though fellas, Garcia is Benitez's bitch! He'll always have a place in the squad and with goals like that, will probably stay in the first team.

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:48 pm

I think we looked best on Tuesday when Zenden and Riise were linking down the left in the second half with Garcia playing behind the strikers.
I agree about Stevie, at the moment although his best position is in the centre the team needs him to offer some width on the right.
He will get up and down all day, can beat his man one on one, produces penetrating crosses and will chip in with plenty of goals, he has to stay there until a suitable player is brought in.

by **NiftyNeil** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:40 pm

It is reported in the Echo today that Gerrard is likely to remain on the right until January when we can bring in another winger. Benitez has had discusions with Stevie and they both agree that it would be for the good of the team. Benitez has also joked that after the last two games, we no longer need to sign a right winger because Stevie is doing so well there.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:19 am

I wouldn't expect Garcia to lose his place if two wingers come in. Benitez likes his style too much.
I'd expect the side to line up like this after the purchases expected in Jan:

Reina
Finnan JC (New CB) Riise/Traore

Alonso Gerrard

Sabrosa Gonzalez/Kewell
Garcia

Morientes(Should he continue his current form).

This would probably be the home line up, with Gerrard swapping places with Garcia, and Sissoko replacing the Spaniard in away ties.
It all depends who we play, though.

by **76-1115222408** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:04 am

KOP-1892 wrote:What do you guy's think will happen to Luis Garcia when two winger's are bought? Can you see him playing up front and partnering our other striker's?

I was talking about this in another thread yesterday, I think LONG TERM, Luis will not be a first team regular once Rafa has assembled his ideal squad.
He was bought (IMO) as a stop gap, as Rafa was joining a new club, but knew what Garcia could do. And also knew we had not one player of his type at the club (though I always believed that was Diouf's best position, as he has good vision and good short passing, but thats a whole different ballpark and I digress....).

However, he will always be in the squad (or 16 if you like) and probably will still feature in about 90% of games, in one way or another!

by **wrighty (not mark!)** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:18 pm

Lando_Griffin wrote:I wouldn't expect Garcia to lose his place if two wingers come in. Benitez likes his style too much.
I'd expect the side to line up like this after the purchases expected in Jan:

Reina
Finnan JC (New CB) Riise/Traore

Alonso Gerrard

Sabrosa Gonzalez/Kewell
Garcia

Morientes(Should he continue his current form).

This would probably be the home line up, with Gerrard swapping places with Garcia, and Sissoko replacing the Spaniard in away ties.
It all depends who we play, though.

Let's just hope he sells Traore evntually though.

Apart from that, that formation is w.anktastic

by **115-1073096938** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:36 pm

We've turned that many fucking corners i've got lost.

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