Liverpool FC Forum

[aCe']

I'm not convinced its the best way forward for us. On the one hand, we seem to lack the personnel to make the formation work. I hear talk about shifting Suarez to the flank, using Gerrard in a more reserved role...etc etc and all I can think of is why ?
I know Swansea played good football last season and did well in keeping possession against most sides but ultimately, their goal return was poor. In fact, only 4 sides scored less goals in the league than they did and 2 of the sides got relegated. Now I know Swansea exceeded expectations and were one of the highlights of the league but imo they played the formation that suited them best and largely got results because of that. The assumption that many seem to have of 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 being the only formations that allow you to play a possession game is a naive one imo. For starters, the top 2 sides in the country largely play a 4-4-2 direct style and it has proven to be effective. The top sides that usually play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 usually rely on top quality players higher up the pitch who can score and create to take some of the pressure off the lone striker. The question is, do we have the players to do that ?

Looking at out forwards and wide players, I have to say we are looking even thinner in that department today than we did last year. With Suarez, Borini & Carroll all being players better suited to central roles, it leaves us with only Downing, Bellamy and Cole as genuine options for the wide berths. Of the 3 central options, Suarez gets the nod every day of the week. Borini, while being a good forward, isn't someone I can see playing the wide role consistently. His best attribute is his movement INSIDE the box and I can see him cheaply giving away possession time and again if flocked to the flank. Bellamy can realistically start 20 or so games a season at this age and Cole/Downing are yet to prove they can make an impact at the club.

Like I said earlier, the 4-3-3 being suggested relies heavily on the wide 2 contributing both goals and assists. Where will they come from ? We sold Maxi and Kuyt. For all the criticism both got in their time at the club, the both consistently provided goals when played. As far as Im concerned, Kuyt and Maxi would have been our 2 best options down the flanks this season as thing stand if they had stayed. They didnt, so we need to adjust.

If we are to play the 4-3-3, and at the moment I see no reason why we should, then we need to bring in players who would allow us to do so. I hear we are linked to Allen and Dempsey. Both good players who would probably improve our squad. But then again, would Dempsey be a good wide player in a 4-3-3 ? I cant see it. All his best performances came when he played a more central role for Fulham. Regardless, for 5 or so million he would be a good improvement for the squad and his versatility would probably mean that he can come in and plug a number of different gaps when needed. For me, he's a replacement for Maxi/Kuyt. No more, no less. Similar story with Allen. Probably an improvement on Henderson and Adam. Is he a 15mill player ? Not for me. I'd much rather take the money and spend it on a decent wide player. We already have Spearing, Lucas, Shelvey, Aquilani, Adam, Henderson and Gerrard fighting for the 3 midfield spots. Adding an 8th man to the list shouldnt be high on the priority list especially when you consider the fact that we lack wide players.  Overall, I cant really understand what we seem to be doing in the transfer market and I dont know id its a good thing or not. On the one hand, it might suggest that we are looking at adopting a different style than that played by Swansea, one more suited to the players we have (maybe a diamond 4-4-2). On the other hand, it might be us shooting ourselves yet again on the foot in the market by not addressing our obvious shortcomings.

Either way, with not much left until our competitive matches begin, things should become clearer sooner rather than later.

[celtic-red!]

its very early remember.

You have to allow Rodgers time here.  He is trying to completely change the way we play!

This doesn't just happen in a an instant.   

If BR believes that 4-3-3 is the best system for the style of football that he wants to play then he must stick with it.  Yes there is a point about the options we have upfront and if we actually have 3 quality forward players who can play in a 4-3-3 but lets see if BR can get the players he needs first.

[Kenny Kan]

After ONE pre-season game, we're already questioning a formation.

aCe, you seem eager & itching to talk football [fair enough] but it's too early for me, way too early.

[Redtribe]

Well for me Sterling and Pacheco both looked pretty good in wider berths last night, now i'm not saying we can rely on them so early in their careers but i think there are options.
The 2 outside players in Rodgers front three are not out and out wide players, i believe he expects alot of that to come from the full backs, however i do think a quality signing to play up top would be in the thoughts of management.

Time will tell...

[Ben Patrick]

Well for me Sterling and Pacheco both looked pretty good in wider berths last night, now i'm not saying we can rely on them so early in their careers but i think there are options.
The 2 outside players in Rodgers front three are not out and out wide players, i believe he expects alot of that to come from the full backs, however i do think a quality signing to play up top would be in the thoughts of management.

Time will tell...

Agree on both fronts, Sterling looks like he should feature alot more this season and has frightening pace.

But we do need to sign a top wide player.

I keep saying it but i would love Adam Johnson.

[tubby]

The fact that this is being asked after just 1 pre season game makes me think you are either very bored or.... very bored.

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

[RichardLFC1]

I think we have the squad for a 4-3-3. Our back 4 pretty much picks it self then you have

To challenge for the middle 3

Gerrard
Henderson
Adam
J.Cole
Aqualani
Spearing
Lucas

To challenge for front 3

Suarez
Borini
Downing
Carroll
Bellamy

Thats without making any more transfers.

[Thommo's perm]

After ONE pre-season game, we're already questioning a formation.

aCe, you seem eager & itching to talk football [fair enough] but it's too early for me, way too early.

If we dont win the next game then Rodgers must go because its obvious his way isnt working

[crazyhorse]

After ONE pre-season game, we're already questioning a formation.

aCe, you seem eager & itching to talk football [fair enough] but it's too early for me, way too early.

If we dont win the next game then Rodgers must go because its obvious his way isnt working

[Kenny Kan]

After ONE pre-season game, we're already questioning a formation.

aCe, you seem eager & itching to talk football [fair enough] but it's too early for me, way too early.

If we dont win the next game then Rodgers must go because its obvious his way isnt working

You're going a bit overboard with the sarcastic insinuations there, perhaps if aCe had started out saying "I know it's early but..." in his attempt to be BigMick-ish; then he may have pulled the analytical dialogue off.

[stmichael]

ultimately, it's not about formations, it's about players, especially under this manager. if you aren't a really good footballer first and foremost it doesn't matter about the formation beacuse you won't be in the managers plans.

[Roger Red Hat]

about time we had a manager like that to be honest, we've had to many half ar$ed formations. At least Rodgers looks like he can get this lot playing good football. We still have some of our 'better' players to fit into this formation too! plus possibly one or two new faces. looking half decent really.

[red till i die!!]

we all assume that we will play a 4-3-3 next season but that might not be the case at all.
that was rodgers preferred system last year with the players he had at swansea and they played it alright in some games and got a few shock results with the gung ho attitude of the players but overall they were worse than us.won less games,scored less goals and finished lower in the table.granted we have a better squad but it remains to be seen if they can adopt this system and hit the ground running with it.
i honestly think rodgers will be more cautious this season and we will not play so open and i wouldnt rule out 4-4-2 being the system mostly deployed.
we can pass and retain the ball but we cannot with that personnel play a high tempo pressing game in both halves of the pitch.
the problems from last season still exist and we havent addressed those issues in regards to a winger,some creativity and a goal getter so atm it looks like he will have to make do with what he has and simply get better out of it.
its early days yet and till that poxy window shuts,loads could change.

[celtic-red!]

I would be shocked if BR goes 4-4-2.  I can't see it happening and will be very happy to see it banished from the club.

Brendan in his own time went over to barcelona on numerous occasions to study there training methods.

He is a huge fan of 4-3-3.  This is the system he likes to use and is part of his football philosophy.

Why would he suddenly ditch that for bog standard 4-4-2.  Its not gonna happen.

4-3-3 will be then new system.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

I would be shocked if BR goes 4-4-2.  I can't see it happening and will be very happy to see it banished from the club.

Brendan in his own time went over to barcelona on numerous occasions to study there training methods.

He is a huge fan of 4-3-3.  This is the system he likes to use and is part of his football philosophy.

Why would he suddenly ditch that for bog standard 4-4-2.  Its not gonna happen.

4-3-3 will be then new system.

i wouldnt get too bogged down in the discussions about formations, the game is about players, the team with the best players generally wins the league.
barcelona would still have a boss side whatever formation they played and on the flip side the likes of crewe or leyton orient wouldnt suddenly win the prem if they started playing 4-3-3 because at the end of the day their players arent good enough.