03rd Apr2012

Talking Tactics: Liverpool FC’s Attacking Combinations (Part 3 of 3)

by backofthenet

I’ve discussed most of the attacking options for Liverpool FC, moves like the complications and benefits of playing Andy Carroll, to more obscure choices like Daniel Agger in a defensive midfielder position. Here I’m just going to be summarizing what’s been said so far and the way forward for Liverpool FC.

For Part 1, Click here!

Part 1 Excerpt

Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez

Generally, I think that Luis Suarez has to start every, if not most games for Liverpool FC. Put simply, he’s just too good of a player to be left out of the team. Now the question is whether we have a strike partner beside him. Carroll is our only other recognized striker on our roster apart from our talented Uruguayan number 7. He knows how to operate both the traditional ‘Number 9′ and ‘Number 10′ roles.

 For Part 2, Click here!

Part 2 Excerpt

Daniel Agger Pushed Up?

Yes, I will be discussing a lot about defenders in this post, because the next player I’m going to talk about is, yes, you guessed it, Daniel Agger. What I think would help the team would be if Agger is pushed up to a defensive midfielder, or as they call it, the Lucas Leiva role.

Part 3

So I’ll be summing up here what I think the best Liverpool FC tactics should be for the rest of this season and next.

Youngsters

Yes. I have come to this conclusion. But I think that Liverpool FC should experiment with youngsters, albeit slowly easing them into the team between now to the end of the season (substituting them on). We have a very talented academy of players in Raheem Sterling, Adam Morgan and the much talked about Suso.

All 3 are great prospects for the future and seem destined for big things with Liverpool FC. With our league position hardly important for anything except for prize money, we should just steadily build up for next season. Yes, Kenny Dalglish might get a big of stick for it, but if it’s the future Liverpool fans want, those youngsters simply need game time.

The Best Tactics

It’s a 4-2-3-1 for me. But here are the few combinations:

Reina
Johnson-Agger-Skrtel-Enrique
Lucas-Gerrard
Bellamy-Suarez-Rodriguez
Carroll

So, a few things I would like to say first. I would actually prefer to see Coates at centerback with Agger moving up to defensive midfield in the case of Lucas’ injury. This is my best XI with everyone fit and not suspended. This is just opinion. Luis Suarez operates at his best playing just off the main striker rather than as target man, and he works well with winger Maxi Rodriguez, who will also get into the box and create chances.

Steven Gerrard is there to spread the ball and marshall the midfield whilst Lucas Leiva will be the shield in front of the back 4. In my XI, Carroll gets the nod, only because I think he can still be a hit.

As I said, Kenny Dalglish was really harsh to not start him in the games in the build-up to the Newcastle game and then tossing him into an atmosphere which was a bit difficult for him to perform in. He went into Tyneside with no run of form, as we always say, and no confidence in front of goal in the Premier League.

Category : Liverpool FC, Tactics
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29th Mar2012

Talking Tactics: Liverpool FC’s Attacking Combinations (Part 2 of 3)

by backofthenet

This time, I’ll be talking about stranger alternatives for Kenny Dalglish to opt for. One that will require closer examination over the next few months, including the changing of tactics and the use of players.

For Part 1, Click here!

Part 1 Exerpt

Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez

Generally, I think that Luis Suarez has to start every, if not most games for Liverpool FC. Put simply, he’s just too good of a player to be left out of the team. Now the question is whether we have a strike partner beside him. Carroll is our only other recognized striker on our roster apart from our talented Uruguayan number 7. He knows how to operate both the traditional ‘Number 9′ and ‘Number 10′ roles.

Part 2

Glen Johnson Pushed Up?

Yep. Here’s one of the more discussed changes discussed amongst Liverpool FC fans worldwide. The pushing up of rightback Glen Johnson to becoming a winger. It makes perfect sense. Martin Kelly slotting in right behind him, decent crosses from the right wing, useful overlapping and a good understanding already established between our two English defenders, and it seems like a good idea.

It’s an idea that should be trialled more by Kenny Dalglish. After all, Glen Johnson has in fact already supplied a good number of quality (and dangerous) crosses into the box so far this season, and it is definitely not his distribution that will be under the scope if he is given the role further up the pitch. The Englishman has already come out and said that he would be willing to play in any position in which he will be helping the team, so I definitely think that we should try this.

Daniel Agger Pushed Up?

Yes, I will be discussing a lot about defenders in this post, because the next player I’m going to talk about is, yes, you guessed it, Daniel Agger. What I think would help the team would be if Agger is pushed up to a defensive midfielder, or as they call it, the Lucas Leiva role.

Why? Well, our defence has been quite strong this season, and I honestly think that Jay Spearing is still not an adequate enough replacement for Lucas Leiva, add to that the fact that Sebastian Coates should be given a chance at the heart of Liverpool’s defence and you would get Agger in midfield. I know that he has played very well right at the back for Liverpool alongside Martin Skrtel, but give me a chance to explain and hopefully I can change your minds.

First reason why he should move up: his movement. When he goes up in support of the attack, more often than not, he knows what he is doing. Whether it be a shot or a pass that comes after a long run, Daniel Agger has a good football brain, and will be capable of supporting the attack with such runs straight at his opponents throughout the course of 90 minutes.

Second reason? His tackling and tactical discipline. From my understanding, Steven Gerrard has been given a very restricted role where he is not allowed to move up very much. With Jay Spearing in our midfield, I actually struggle to see why we can’t operate using something like a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation, with Spearing shielding the defence. But somehow, I feel that Dalglish doesn’t fully trust the abilities of our academy graduate, hence Gerrard playing often right alongside Spearing. Agger is a proven central defender, and with his defensive protection, it will allow the license for Steven Gerrard to get forward and do what he does best, score goals and cause problems.

Just can’t wait till our Danish defender returns.

Category : General Opinion, Liverpool FC, Tactics
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28th Mar2012

Talking Tactics: Liverpool FC’s Attacking Combinations (Part 1 of 3)

by backofthenet

Attacking options. Liverpool FC have many of them. Whether it be the unsolved question which is whether we should deploy Andy Carroll to where Steven Gerrard or even Luis Suarez should play on the ball park, Kenny Dalglish needs to figure out his best attacking combination fairly quickly.

So here’s what I generally think about the Liverpool FC attack.

Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez

Generally, I think that Luis Suarez has to start every, if not most games for Liverpool FC. Put simply, he’s just too good of a player to be left out of the team. Now the question is whether we have a strike partner beside him. Carroll is our only other recognized striker on our roster apart from our talented Uruguayan number 7. He knows how to operate both the traditional ‘Number 9′ and ‘Number 10′ roles.

But I honestly think that Andy Carroll, at least for now, has to be part of the equation. Carroll is the type of player that will draw a lot of attention away from other Liverpool FC teammates, hence opening up play for Liverpool FC. In some ways, you could say that he’s a sacrifice, meaning that Luis Suarez has more space and time when he’s on the ball. Furthermore, Carroll’s height and heading ability means that the reds are also able to play aerial balls and retain possession, with Suarez/Gerrard picking up the scraps from Andy Carroll’s knock-downs.

Suarez is not a clinical finisher. This much has been shown this season. This might do with the heavy marking when he is deployed as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation. He doesn’t have the pace to get past defenders, but he more than certainly has the ability to beat even the best of defenders with his dribbling ability. Carroll’s mere presence will be allow for Suarez to go back slightly further back and play in a position where roaming around dangerous areas is his job, with his impact very restricted when he plays up top waiting for the ball in a 4-5-1 system.

Maxi Rodriguez and Luis Suarez

Sometimes I wonder. What does Maxi Rodriguez have to do to get a game. In his brief spells with the team, he seems to be performing really well. He gets into dangerous areas, plays neat passes, opens up play and he even scores a couple while he’s at it as well. Which is why I am completely puzzled as to the exclusion of the veteran from the team in the season thus far. It must be remembered that he was one of the key players at the start of Kenny Dalglish’s successful restart to life as a manager of Liverpool FC.

He combines well with striker Luis Suarez and he fits perfectly in Kenny Dalglish’s ‘pass and move’ philosophy. His movement also enables him to cause a ruckus in the penalty box, with his positioning often inch perfect and his finishing (both with his heading and his two feet) often very clinical. His partnership with Suarez was potentially best shown in the FA Cup quarter finals, when him and Luis Suarez combined with neat passing to produce a peach of a goal.

Rodriguez finds space in very tight areas and can also play from out wide and work his way into the penalty box before delivering the ball in. I personally think that if Kenny Dalglish is going to experiment, this partnership is one great way to start.

Steven Gerrard and Jay Spearing

Personally, I think this partnership is only for the moment. Lucas Leiva will get his spot back immediately when he returns from injury. For how much passion and pride the young scouser has when it comes to playing in the red of Liverpool, Lucas is simply a class above. The Brazilian still covers much more ground and is more precise with his tackling.

But nonetheless, this is something that must be covered. The thing with playing Lucas is, that Liverpool will then be confident of letting Steven Gerrard off the leash and get into more offensive areas. There is somewhat a lack in confidence in the young Englishman’s ability, with Steven Gerrard often made the sacrifice for the sake of protecting the defence.

The way I view things, with 4 pretty sturdy defenders at the back and 1 defensive shield in Jay Spearing, Gerrard should be given more license to get forward, with the right winger potentially being one who is also able to swap roles with Gerrard. Which brings me to my second point, that we don’t have a natural right winger. Rodriguez, Bellamy and Downing all naturally play best on the left. Dirk Kuyt is a different case, and Jordan Henderson actually needs to play in a ‘Steven Gerrard’ role.

More will be discussed in the next part!

Category : General Opinion, Liverpool FC, Tactics
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06th Mar2012

Shelvey’s Loan, More Post-Arsenal Reaction, Transfer Rumours and Fickle Formations

by backofthenet

Today will be one of the few days that I will go into the topic of our formation here on Two Liverpool Fans, but there are still other stuff to cover, so I’ll just get straight into the news.

Listened to The Anfield Wrap podcast earlier today. As usual, brilliant.

First of, it looks like youngster Jonjo Shelvey is set to be shipped out on loan again. According to a number of sources, the English U21 International will be looking to continue his fine form with the Seasiders should Steven Gerrard prove that he is 100% fit over the next few weeks. Shelvey scored 6 in 10 appearances in his previous loan stint with Blackpool, and is waiting on the green light to return to the Seasiders, with Liverpool prolonging his stay in the city for a week following Steven Gerrard’s injury suffered on International Duty last week.

Realistically, it is a move that has to happen to further develop the youngster’s game, with first team playing time very limited with the Reds. So that’s all for now with that development. Will keep TLF readers posted should he actually complete the move over the coming weeks.

Dirk Kuyt has come out and talked about disappointment following the Reds’ 2-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal FC, despite dominating proceedings at Anfield:

It’s very disappointing, I thought the team played really well. We should have scored at least three goals. I enjoyed linking up with Luis (Suarez) and we created enough chances but we need to kill those chances. To lose was just unbelievable. Without Van Persie they are a completely different team.

Dirk Kuyt on Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal

Well, an interesting day of transfer rumours has gone by. I am very well aware of Liverpool’s policy of first of all not actually setting a transfer budget, and second of all, not talking about transfer rumours, but I have a story here that links Liverpool to Barcelona wide man Pedro Rodriguez.

Liverpool are rumoured to be tracking Barcelona star Pedro Rodriguez, who may be allowed to leave the Camp Nou

El Mundo Deportivo

To be honest, I like Pedro as a player. He does have that bit of ‘magic’ that Liverpool need. Good with the shot from outside the box and a good runner on the ball as well, so he would make for a fantastic signing. But the best thing Liverpool will also get out of Pedro is versatility. The Spaniard is able to use both feet well, along with play on both wings with ease as well. Furthermore, he has, on some instances, played as a target man for the Catalans. In my opinion, he would be a great signing for the Reds – although we must not overpay to secure his services.

Which brings me nicely to my topic on formations. In my eyes, our chances for fourth players have essentially diminished since defeat to the Gunners over the weekend, but there are still a bit of puzzling questions to remain about out formation. One player has been missing over the past few weeks, one that I’m surprised at being overlooked: Maxi Rodriguez.

He had a potent record in front of goal for the Reds towards the tail end of last season, and he has also taken most of his chances (although very limited) this season and is still missing from the Starting XI. He has that shot placement that Liverpool really need, furthermore, he has the knack of being at the right place at the right time, therefore I’m surprised by his exclusion from the squad in recent months.

And Kenny Dalglish must really know the type of side he wants to turn Liverpool into, because there doesn’t seem to be a clear direction at the moment. Andy Carroll didn’t start against Arsenal, Liverpool played with a 4-5-1 formation and Dirk Kuyt, rather surprisingly started. Dalglish needs to know who he wants in the summer, the type and form of player, not just giving a generic position to use his extensive network to scout from. He needs to know his playing style and the type of attributes required for success at Liverpool.

Category : General Opinion, Liverpool FC, Tactics, Transfer News
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21st Feb2012

Talking Tactics: How to Solve a Tactical Problem Like Liverpool FC

by backofthenet

A good result for the Reds, but Kenny Dalglish will have a selection headache on his hands, as his side prepare to take on Cardiff in the FA Cup on the hallowed Wembley grounds.

The Inconsistent Players

One reason why it’s so hard for Kenny Dalglish to pick is perhaps the players that are simply on the boderline. Andy Carroll has been increasingly impressive, but looks as though he still needs a couple more months before he is a striker capable of scoring somewhere in the region of 15 goals a season in the league alone. The reality is that he has been picking up goals against ‘lesser’ opposition this term. His 3 goals of 2012 came against Brighton, Wolverhampton and Oldham, although he indeed created Dirk Kuyt’s goal in the FA Cup in January earlier on this year.

Another perfect example of this would be our very own Englishman Stewart Downing. The left winger is proving to be a very ‘hot and cold’ player. The midfielder excelled against Brighton, like Carroll, but has failed to produce the goods consistently this season. He has had some good games followed by shocking performances in the red kit of Liverpool FC. Undoubtedly has the ability, it seems to be a confidence issue for the winger, like Andy Carroll.

But the inconsistencies make for a tough decision for Kenny Dalglish.

How I See The Team

In the goalkeeping role, I only see one suitable candidate for the role. It’s gotta be our Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina. That’s just the way things are at Liverpool. In defence, I personally think that Martin Kelly is a better option that Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique is doing a fine job in the leftback role. In the heart of the defence, the central pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel are just fine. In my opinion, the defence is Liverpool’s strongest element of the team, as I think it has something that none of the other departments have: consistency of squad. Kenny Dalglish doesn’t shuffle around too much in the defence because the defence is strong.

In midfield, it gets slightly more complicated. There are so many permutations with the midfield. I think that we need a central defensive midfielder, and Lucas Leiva does the job just fine, but his injury has meant that young Jay Spearing has had to step in. Charlie Adam is one that is perhaps on the borderline, alongside Jordan Henderson. Steven Gerrard’s versatility and ability means that he almost has to play every fixture for the Reds. Craig Bellamy is fantastic, but his ‘legs made out of glass’ means that he can’t be an option week in, week out. Stewart Downing was already discussed earlier and Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez round up the midfield squad.

In the forward’s role, it’s more straightforward. Realistically, only Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez are off high enough caliber to play up front, although Dirk Kuyt can actually be shuffled to play as a forward as well.

The Best Team For Liverpool FC: My 4-4-2 Formation

I personally think that the only way forward for the Reds is a 4-4-2 formation. This is what I think the best squad is. Leave a comment below as to whether you think that this is the best team.

The Best Lineup There Is?

Category : General Opinion, Liverpool FC, Tactics
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10th Feb2012

Man United vs Liverpool FC: Start of Something New?

by backofthenet

Liverpool FC head over to Manchester tomorrow afternoon as they try to put one over their rivals at Old Trafford, with Liverpool FC having majority of their players available for this titanic battle.

My Predicted Lineup

TwoLiverpoolFans Presents: Liverpool FC Team News

Jose Enrique is set to return to the starting lineup for the Reds after he sat out Liverpool’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur last week due to a back pain complaint, but he is back for this match. Luis Suarez is also expected to replace Dirk Kuyt and start this match, but the Uruguayan will be met with a torrent of boos following his part in the racism saga along with Manchester United’s French leftback and captain Patrice Evra.

Liverpool FC will miss out on Brazilian defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva once again, with the midfielder set to sit out the rest of the season. Kenny Dalglish will have a lot of attacking talent to select from, with the likes of in form striker Craig Bellamy, the ever-improving Andy Carroll along with the return from suspension for talismanic Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

Talking Tactics

Here’s how I reckon Liverpool FC will play:

  • A narrow attack, with Andy Carroll lone striker up front, Bellamy on the left wing, but his style of play means that he will cut in a lot. Steven Gerrard could start in an attacking role on the right side. He will supply some of the crosses for Englishman Andy Carroll. Suarez will start in between the two.
  • Expect some switching of positions between Suarez and Gerrard, as the Uruguayan is quality at getting into the box from wide areas thanks to his fantastic dribbling ability along with his low center of gravity.
  • Spearing and Charlie Adam to provide the backbone of the Liverpool FC midfield. This will allow the attacking players to perhaps press higher up and be more ambitious with their movement along with their passing in search of a goal.
  • I personally hope that Kenny Dalglish picks Martin Kelly ahead of his English counterpart Glen Johnson. Kelly is good at bringing the ball out and pulling fullbacks out wide, along with putting the ball into the box. His defensive ability is a bonus.
  • Jose Enrique will be the man put in charge of putting the most crosses into the box for the Reds tomorrow. With both moving up and putting in crosses, I think it would be better that both Skrtel and Agger not to venture too far into Manchester United’s area, as we might be vulnerable to Danny Welbeck’s speed as a result.
  • The key to this result is to mark former Evertonian striker/attacking midfielder Wayne Rooney. He possesses a good shot from far out and a composed finish in the penalty box. Furthermore, the striker has a good eye for a pass.
  • As usual, counter attacks will be in the fews for Liverpool, them liking to build-up their play most of the time.

Prediction: Man United 1 Liverpool FC 3

I am optimistic about Liverpool’s chances in this one. We have a good defensive record in the Premier League in the season thus far, but we’ve fallen short in front of goal. If we take our chances, I reckon we definitely can win this one.

Category : Liverpool FC, Match Previews, Tactics
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17th Jan2012

Liverpool FC Seriously Need More Men into the Box [TACTICAL ANALYSIS]

by backofthenet

I hate it when I say we need Man United-esque players, but I have to say it. We need someone like Javier Hernandez. We might not need to sign one, but we need our strikers to play more like him.

Comment from Liverpool FC 0 Stoke City 0

Dirk Kuyt led the line poorly. It’s simple as that. So let me clear one thing. We had 5 defenders and 4 defenders along with Dirk Kuyt along up front. Can you explain to me, or at least give me a single reason why Kuyt needs to drop back to help the midfielders and the defenders pass the ball around and then end up with no end product.

We lacked a true finisher (or in fact anyone at all) inside that penalty box throughout the course of the match. Dirk Kuyt is very effective when talking about getting into the good positions with good movement before finishing the move off. His treble against Man United around a year back is testament to that.

On Andy Carroll

Another one whom perhaps should do as mentioned above. First of, he isn’t going to offer that much in terms of passing the ball around and bringing the ball forward. That is a FACT. If he were to do anything that provided support in terms of the attack, it’s going to be from winning headers from the goalkicks and bringing the ball forward.

Otherwise, he should really stay in the box or at least just outside the box and try to finish off the oppourtunities. What the Englishman have to do is take his chances after one or two touches. That’s all he needs to put the ball into the back of the net.

We Need Maxi Rodriguez, Bellamy

We are great in terms of build-up. We’re great 2/3s of the pitch, but it’s when Liverpool FC reach that penalty box area when Liverpool don’t have the end product. We need players like Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy, getting into the box. They have a different mindset to that of the rest of the team.

They are willing to take the risk and to get into the box. Most of the time, they are rewarded with a goal. There’s a reason why Rodriguez scored 2 hat-tricks in a row last season, that’s the type of special player he can really be. We need at least that mold of player coming to Liverpool this January. To produce something special, to be a game changer.

Category : Liverpool FC, Tactics
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