Rafa's primary selection headache

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Maybe its too simplistic to say Sissoko but rather the trio of Sissoko, Alonso and Gerrard. Also I would like to recognise that the reliable 'horses for courses' response would kill the topic and request some consideration.

 

For example, if we play Chelsea away[ or Sheffield Utd at home, Reina will start along with Carragher, Finnan and Hyypia whilst we would all agree that Gerrard and Alonso would also play. However some might say that Momo would play vs Chelsea but we would be more attacking without him at home to 'less-than-attacking' teams.

 

Personally, I think the pairing of Alonso and Sissoko was highly effective and the role afforded to Gerrard on the right allowed him more attacking freedom hence his amazing goal tally. Now - I think Sissoko is improving even further and his energy is hugely influential in our play (in my opinion) with the result that we cant just brush him aside and say 'Gerrard and Alonso in the center with Pennant out on the right'.

 

Do you think Rafa has a headache in trying to formulate a way for Gerrard, Sissoko and Alonso to play together ? Do you think that this is Rafa's biggest problem in trying to solve this or is it more cut and dried than that.

[Guz]

We may have signed Pennant but I think we'll still see a bit of Gerrard on the right of midfield, partly to accomodate Sissoko and Alonso but also partly because some teams just didn't know how to line up against our midfield with Gerrard out there. But we play so many games that all 3 (Xabi, Stevie, Momo) will all be rested at some point or another whenever Rafa is confident enough to do so eg. Betis away last season.

[vish]

In games where we play Momo, Alonso Gerrard & Pennant, I wuold expect Stevie to be the 2nd striker..

[Guest Scot James]

I think this is exactly how he wants it - plenty of options.

 

There's no point trying to guess which formation and starting line up we'll start with, as he'll change it over the course of the season, depending on the opposition.

 

Gerrard, though, will be key once again, and he'll be used in a variety of positions - centre, right mid, and now that we've got pace on the flanks, as a support striker. Which will allow Pennant and Momo to get their fair share of games.

 

We're an opposing managers nightmare.

Edited August 8, 2006 by Scot James

[Guest Jodus]

I would say the issue is - how to include Sissoko in the team while playing two actual wingers, meaning Gerrard behind a single striker. I think Rafa wants to play two up front, thus the pursuit of another striker. But if LM is very well covered, will Pennant have to make way for Stevie on a lot of occasions? Will be used as first sub a lot for Momo or Bellamy?

 

I think an attacking/home team seems Pennant at RM and Stevie in the middle, and a conservative/away team has Momo in and if Pennant is in good form, Gerrard behind Crouch (trickier games) or Bellamy (less tricky).

 

The bigger question is - if we get Kuyt, who are our first choice strikers?

[Huyton_Red]

From october onwards last season we where absolutely awesome with sissoko and alonso in the middle and gerrard wide right

 

I think that should still be our first choice midfield when everyone is fit and we play 4-4-2, however as other posters have said we now have lots of options.

 

In the big games, gerrard will play in the middle I think with alonso and sissoko.

[Sion]

I think Gerrard could play just as well on the left if Kewell/Gonzalez are injured/playing crap and it's too difficult to drop Sissoko or Pennant.

[owenthomas]

I think this is exactly how he wants it - plenty of options.

 

There's no point trying to guess which formation and starting line up we'll start with, as he'll change it over the course of the season, depending on the opposition.

 

Gerrard, though, will be key once again, and he'll be used in a variety of positions - centre, right mid, and now that we've got pace on the flanks, as a support striker. Which will allow Pennant and Momo to get their fair share of games.

 

We're an opposing managers nightmare.

that's pretty much how i'd explain it too..

 

i remember when Sissoko joined us and i was thinking "how the f00ks he gonna get a game" and then after seeing him i thought "how the f00k can you drop him?".. says a lot about him..

[Rory Fitzgerald]

that's pretty much how i'd explain it too..

 

i remember when Sissoko joined us and i was thinking "how the f00ks he gonna get a game" and then after seeing him i thought "how the f00k can you drop him?".. says a lot about him..

 

I agree, I think his use of the ball is also alot better now.

[Leo No.8]

To use a fabulous football cliche, up there with the likes of 'Good touch for a big man' and 'Game of two halves'...

 

'It's a nice problem for Benitez'.

Edited August 8, 2006 by Leo No.8

[bazz]

Its so hard to even think about leaving Sissoko out, and we really did miss him when he missed games through his eye injury.

 

I do think its the selection problem Rafa will have the most missed sleep over, but injuries (fingers cross they don't happen) usually sort these problems out.

 

Sissoko Alonso

Pennant Gonzalez

Gerrard

Bellamy

 

or

 

Gerrard Sissoko Alonso Kewell

Bellamy Crouch

 

 

or

 

Gerrard Sissoko Alonso Zenden

Fowler

Bellamy

 

Options aplenty!!

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Don't discount seeing 3 at the back on occation

[Dule]

I think that if we sign Kuyt the solution as to who plays is easy. Start with Crouch and Bellamy and slowly introduce Kuyt until he is settled. By then we will know who should be the first 2 pairing.

 

Also the the midfield with our 3 main CM should stay as it was last year. It was the strongest team last year, and yet again this year. The only thing that i could possibly see different on Wed's night is if Fabio and Gonzalez are not fit, then maybe.....maybe play Gerrard on the left, keep our two boys in the middle and play Pennant on the right for his debut?

 

Also i should mention that my ideal lineup with the CURRENT!! players that we have at our disposal would be as follows:

 

--------------------Reina

---------Carra-----Sami----Agger

Finnan--------------------------------Riise

-------------Xabi---------Momo

-------------------Gerrard

------------Bellamy------Crouch

 

I honestly beleive that this team would probably give any team in the league and europe problems if they stay fit. I know Agger is not really ready yet, but f*** it. Finnan and Riise can both attack from the back, or even Fabio could come into Riise's place.

[Guest AussieGerrard]

Don't discount seeing 3 at the back on occation

 

3 at the back would be good to see, it;s the only way to get all the players id like to see in the starting 11.

 

---------------Reina-------------

----Carra----Hyypia----Agger

---------Momo------Alonso----

Pennant-----Gerrard------Gonzalez/Kewell

---------Bellamy-----Crouch/Kuyt(hopefully)

 

Id love to see that team against weaker sides and especialy at home.

We have so many options whatever team Rafa puts out will be good but there will always be someone left out who id like to see in the team which is a good problem to have.

Edited August 8, 2006 by AussieGerrard

[Guest Scot James]

Pennant and Gonzalez aren't wing backs.

Edited August 8, 2006 by Scot James

[John am Rhein]

I'd say keep Gerrard on the right and Sissoko and Alonso in the middle - it's not broken so don't fix it.

 

If he wants to use one of these new-fangled 'wingers' then bring him on midway through the 2nd half if necessary.

[Rahul]

Pennant and Gonzalez aren't wing backs.

Both very hard working though- and can help at the back.

[Senrab_nhoj]

role afforded to Gerrard on the right allowed him more attacking freedom hence his amazing goal tally.

 

Gerrard scored less frequently when RM than CM

liverpool scored more frequently when SG RM than CM

 

© some nerdy type via Paul Tomkins

[Widnesian]

---------------------------Pepe---------------------------

---------------------------Carra--------------------------

Pennant--- Gerrard--- Sissoko--- Alonso--- Gonzales

-------Bellamy----- Crouch----Garcia-----Fowler------

 

A 1-5-4 formation against weaker teams

[Rory Fitzgerald]

---------------------------Pepe---------------------------

---------------------------Carra--------------------------

Pennant--- Gerrard--- Sissoko--- Alonso--- Gonzales

-------Bellamy----- Crouch----Garcia-----Fowler------

 

A 1-5-4 formation against weaker teams

 

If we still had the Hench then we could drop Carra and Reina and just play him, that would allow Kewell to sit in between the 5 in midfield and the 4 upfront and link the play better

[psl]

If we still had the Hench then we could drop Carra and Reina and just play him, that would allow Kewell to sit in between the 5 in midfield and the 4 upfront and link the play better

 

Should surely swap Garcia and Fowler.

[honourablegeorge]

Maybe its too simplistic to say Sissoko but rather the trio of Sissoko, Alonso and Gerrard. Also I would like to recognise that the reliable 'horses for courses' response would kill the topic and request some consideration.

 

For example, if we play Chelsea away[ or Sheffield Utd at home, Reina will start along with Carragher, Finnan and Hyypia whilst we would all agree that Gerrard and Alonso would also play. However some might say that Momo would play vs Chelsea but we would be more attacking without him at home to 'less-than-attacking' teams.

 

Personally, I think the pairing of Alonso and Sissoko was highly effective and the role afforded to Gerrard on the right allowed him more attacking freedom hence his amazing goal tally. Now - I think Sissoko is improving even further and his energy is hugely influential in our play (in my opinion) with the result that we cant just brush him aside and say 'Gerrard and Alonso in the center with Pennant out on the right'.

 

Do you think Rafa has a headache in trying to formulate a way for Gerrard, Sissoko and Alonso to play together ? Do you think that this is Rafa's biggest problem in trying to solve this or is it more cut and dried than that.

 

 

I think it's really hard to leave Sissoko out - he contributes hugely to the team in tersm of tempo and energy, as well as ball winnign and protection.

 

 

That, along with Aurelio and the failed purchase of Alves, plus Agger...it all points to the occasional use of 3-5-2, for me.

[hideNseek]

Surely Pepe is our most important midfielder? How's Gerrard or Sissoko going to get a game in front of him is what I want to know?

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Yeah, I think the 3-5-2 worked a treat against Newcastle away, they hadn't a notion in the first half and hardly got near us.

[Ripley]

As ever, oodles of teams and formations and just one mention of Garcia so far.

 

Ridiculous.