Talking Tactics: How to Solve a Tactical Problem Like Liverpool FC
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?
Based on available personnel, that is perhaps the strongest XI LFC can muster at the moment (this side of Lucas’s absence). My bench would be Maxi, Kuyt, GJ, Coates, Doni, Hendo.
I also believe it’s time the King got adventurous, pushing Johnson slightly forward at right wing (and freeing Kelly to continue his development quickly). I also look around at the bigger teams around us and see lots of youth players involved. It is so at Everton and Arsenal (injuries aside), MUFC (Cleverly, Jones, Smalling) and Spurs with Kyle Walker. We are more like Chelsea in playing less youth players. It is an area we can improve on.