Ginu

After seeing how we lined up against Tranmere in the 2nd half, and how we're all wondering how we'll accomodate Carra, Agger and Skrtel, I have a feeling that we'll see the 3-2-3-2 (5-3-2 variant with two wing backs) or 3-2-3-1-1 a lot this season. Rafa has said that you can find good fullbacks who give you width much cheaper than "edge-of-your-seat" wingers so, to me, Degen and Dossena will get a lot of games and with solidity in your back line, nobody will expect Carra, Agger or Skrtel to spend a prolonged duration on the bench. This is how I see it: ----------------Reina ---------Skrtel Carra Agger Degen-----------------------Dossena -------Alonso--Masch--Barry ---------------Gerrard ----------------Torres If Alonso does go, we can put in Lucas. If the Aguero link is true and we get rid of Alonso as a makeweight, we can shift to: ----------------Reina ---------Skrtel Carra Agger Degen-----------------------Dossena -----Mascherano---------Barry ----------Gerrard----Aguero ----------------Torres And Babel can play any of the 3 forward positions. If the Aguero link isn't true, Babel starts. However, this formation does leave us a little light in center-half with only Hyypia being able to cover and maybe that's where our link to Juan came from a month or two ago. Remember, the spine of our team is our strength. I expect us to take full advantage of that and this formation does that by accomodating all of those players, and adding in two attacking fullbacks at the expense of Kuyt, Benayoun or Pennant. Plus we can always shift back to a 4-2-3-1 by taking Degen off for Kuyt or Babel if he's off. The other thing that this formation does is load up the middle of the park, which is a huge part of Rafa's tactics in Europe, so that the other team is required to play the ball in the air into the box. This might allow Rafa to bring his European success to the league.

I was there when Argentina played South Korea. He scored a great free kick. I have it on video somewhere. But I agree, he was definitely head and shoulders above everyone else in the tournament, even Pato.

When you see a player like Arshavin in this tournament, and see what he did for ZSP in the Uefa Cup, this kid is gold.

How about Wesley Sneijder? If Real gets Ronaldo, surely Sneijder's position on the left wing is under threat. He'd be a better version of van der Vaart and can play anywhere across the front 3.

I said this in the transfer thread but i'll repeat it here. With Agger and Skrtel at centre half next season, Carra will most likely be playing right back regularly, with Dossena on the left. This means that Degen will probably be replacing Finnan. He won't be a regular in the side by any stretch. It's to give us an Aurelio type at right back, that's all. Dossena will be the fullback overlapping on the wings and that will allow Babel to drift into the middle while we play 3 at the back on attack (Agger, Skrtel, Carra). Remember, Degen is a free transfer and if he's good, then great. If he's poor, we have Carra and Arbeloa. Nothing wrong here if you ask me, just another option. Because he's our first signing and we're expecting big things this summer, we're already slagging him because he's not reaching expectations transfer wise. Let's wait until the end of the summer before evaluating Rafa's signings. This is just the first remember. Rafa is shoring up his fullbacks before deciding how much we have to spend on a winger (which will affect the quality of that winger). It's about squad balance. Some will say he should buy his winger first, but there are certainly holes in the side then if Riise and Finnan leave.

Don't know why I can't edit my post anymore but, Dossena up the left and a right winger charging up the right would also give the attack great balance.

Even more so with Dossena coming in for left fullback. At 8m and a player who's starting to get into the Italy squad, he'll get a great number of games. Also considering that Babel will be pitched to improve on last season and start more on the left of a 4-2-3-1 and you ask yourself where will Barry shift around? Insua and Aurelio will get their games at left back, and Benayoun and Pennant will get their games as backup on the wings. He can take Kewell's spot on the left, but to be honest, Kewell barely even figured last season for that to even be a consideration seeing as how much he played. While I do see the merits of bringing in Barry as well considering he's a very good player to have for the league, I don't see how Alonso and Lucas are going to get their fair share. Barry wouldn't leave Villa where he's essentially their Gerrard to play a few games at left wing and a slightly greater handful of games alongside Mascherano. But with that said, I think I understand what Rafa's doing. He's gotten a great player for left back in Dossena and with him charging up the left wing it lets Rafa play 3 at the back when attacking with Agger, Skrtel and Carragher; Carra will probably play right back in defense next season. Degen then, with Arbeloa, gives us enough cover at right back. By trying to get Barry in an exchange and Degen on a free, we'll have essentially only spent 3M on Dossena (if Riise leaves for 5M) and Rafa would then be able to focus all his resources on getting that quality winger/attacker.

No need for a right defender if we're playing 3 at the back

Think it's Chelsea and Aston Villa to be honest.

Seeing your formation, I had the same thought. But I have two questions. First, with Agger and Skrtel as the top choice pairing, can we seriously see Carra not starting next season onwards? I don't think we can. Secondly, keeping the first in mind, we aren't going into next season without a top quality new signing for right back (surely?), so could Agger be the player to shift into left back? To me, that seems to make the most sense because Carra isn't going to be on the bench most of the season and Agger and Skrtel certainly aren't going to be second choice given their pace and skill on the ball. That's an issue not many have brought up. It would also fit into Rafa's approach of sending the right back further forward and shifting to 3 centre halves at the back when doing so (Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread)

Only checked Drenthe on youtube but it seems like his approach is great but he tends to rush the delivery in the final move quite often. Also, all the clips seem to show his offensive side, no excellent tackles really in any of the compliations on there. Again, it's only youtube.

The difference between us and Man United is 6 draws that they were able to turn into wins that we weren't. Essentially, that's 6 clutch performances that we're lacking. Out of 38 games a season, 6 matches is about a 16% improvement. To have that improvement next season and considering we've already cut the previous year's difference between us and the champions from 21 points to 11 this season, top class signings are imperative - after the improvement we had over the previous season, we can't expect another 16% improvement essentially. We need to sign top class talent this summer. Yes, price doesn't matter, but unfortunately, attacking talent is far more expensive than defensive talent (see Rafa's successful buys at the back and up front). Babel will improve, Barry might come in, Milner swap, Agger will be back, but is that enough? Without that investment, I don't see us closing the gap enough to be title challengers.

We need game-changers who aren't satisfied with drawing or losing, it is that arrogance we are missing and teams like Man United and Chelsea have. It's this attitude that turns draws into wins and losses into draws. I sure hope Milner isn't our only right wing signing. It'll do nothing for us in competing with the title challengers.

Oh my mistake. He was at Betis at the time. Still, he fits in with what Elisha said

Think it may very well be Joaquin, Elisha? I remember Rafa stating a few weeks back that there are a few players who have come off average seasons which will have brought their prices down. Joaquin certainly fits the bill. He was great a couple of seasons ago, and would fit into Elisha's statement that he isn't sure if he's passed it or not (or something to that effect). Definitely wouldn't mind Rafa getting him on the cheap to bring out the best in him as when they were both at Valencia.

Well no. Elisha stated the targets he's heard are uninspiring to say the least.

To me, all of Elisha's clues point to Diouf

No blessing in disguise here

In the short term yes. Maybe it's too complicated to understand?

I forget who posted it but someone posted the formation of our spine with Reina, Agger, Skrtel, Masch, Gerrard and Torres and left all other positions blank. I agree with this. Our work this summer needs to be securing top signings for our wide positions. Two wingers are a must. A left fullback is also a must. No more hole pluggers. We have enough players and a big enough squad. Top talent only.

Rafa would probably make Riise do it to make sure he gets the offside trap right next time.

I'm shocked at the number of people who don't see the bigger picture in us missing a chance to win our 6th European Cup. Have they not experienced the G+H saga this season? Isn't it obvious that missing the Final this season hits them where it hurts? It's a small price to pay to stabilize the future of Liverpool Football Club.

Under Rafa, we will always have a chance to win the CL. This season needed to be about getting rid of the owners from November onwards (and it has been). Not making the CL Final hits them hard and with a reduced hysteria about a potential victory, dooms this season a failure. It is this wake up call that I am referring to as a blessing in disguise. It requires big changes, those that a CL victory would not have allowed for. Had we won, there would have been less urgency to overhaul the squad and bring in top drawer players. Had we won, there would have been less desire for G+H to take a hike. Had we won (last night), the last two games of this season would have far greater meaning and allows us to really show Hicks what we feel as fans without affecting the team. IMO it is a blessing in disguise because unless we change these two points I've talked about, be ready to feel this again next season.

Think about the attacking talent that those clubs boast and compare it to ours. Other than Torres and Gerrard, nobody scores goals on the regular. You can't compete on two fronts without top drawer players who are going to make something out of nothing and have the mentality that they're not satisfied with drawing or losing. Comparison of attacking players: MUN: Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs (Nani, Anderson) LIV: Torres, Gerrard, (Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun) ARS: Adebayor, van Persie, Hleb, Walcott, (Bendtner) CHE: Drogba, Cole, Kalou, Anelka, Lampard, Ballack in brackets are those players that are either young or haven't put the ball in the net on a regular basis this season. The exception really is Hleb who creates a lot of the chances for Arsenal. It's not rocket-science why we're 4th.