Midfield options

[Dan]

Looks like we've no Gerrard or Spearing for QPR (h), Villa (a) and Wigan (a) so how do we line up?

 

---------------Henderson-------------Adam

 

--Bellers------------------Maxi------------------Downing

 

---------------------------Suarez

 

or

 

Dirk/Maxi---------Henderon---------------Adam--------Downing

 

------------------Bellers------------Suarez

 

Or do we bring Aurelio, Wisdom, Shelvey etc into the equation?

 

I'd go for the first option but it's not ideal by any stretch as both of our CM's like to bomb forward. These three fixtures are probably the kindest you could hope for all season though and we should be smashing them.

[crisps]

Agger in front of a back 4 maybe an option too

[Logic]

Looks like we've no Gerrard or Spearing for QPR (h), Villa (a) and Wigan (a) so how do we line up?

 

---------------Henderson-------------Adam

 

--Bellers------------------Maxi------------------Downing

 

---------------------------Suarez

 

or

 

Dirk/Maxi---------Henderon---------------Adam--------Downing

 

------------------Bellers------------Suarez

 

Or do we bring Aurelio, Wisdom, Shelvey etc into the equation?

 

I'd go for the first option but it's not ideal by any stretch as both of our CM's like to bomb forward. These three fixtures are probably the kindest you could hope for all season though and we should be smashing them.

I'd go for:

 

--------------------Adam---------

----------Hendo----------Jonjo

Maxi ------------Suarez ---------- Bellamy

 

Tell Maxi and Bellamy to get wide in the transition phase when we win the ball, get the ball fast to Adam facing the oppo goal and have him hit them with the quarterback-style passes he used at Blackpool. Adam hasn't had any outlet out wide recently which IMHO is hurting his game.

[Sion]

Henderson and Adam is too weak defensively for me. Teams will cut through us at will. I want a defensive mid in from the youths in. No idea who is best placed to make the step up though.

[CarraLegend]

Dunno but Maxi has to start every game.

[Dan]

I'd go for:

 

--------------------Adam---------

----------Hendo----------Jonjo

Maxi ------------Suarez ---------- Bellamy

 

 

Not a bad shout if we're f***ing the defensive side of the game off, which effectively we are unless like Sion says we promote someone like Wisdom or Coady. Can't see us doing the latter.

[Swipe]

Henderson and Adam is too weak defensively for me. Teams will cut through us at will. I want a defensive mid in from the youths in. No idea who is best placed to make the step up though.

 

The only thing I can think of us Shelvey in with those two. Safety in numbers in the absence of a DM.

[Logic]

Henderson and Adam is too weak defensively for me. Teams will cut through us at will. I want a defensive mid in from the youths in. No idea who is best placed to make the step up though.

Coady would probably be best placed for that. Best of what I've seen from lfc.tv

 

Another option would be to start playing with three at the back like we did against Chelsea and Stoke last season.

 

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/03/liverpool-2-0-stoke-tactics/

 

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/06/chelsea-0-1-liverpool-tactics/

 

There would be less need for a holding midfielder as one of the back three can move upfield meeting the attackers and still have the defense in order. That 3-4-2-1 we played against Stoke could be something we could use IMO.

[Sion]

Coady would probably be best placed for that. Best of what I've seen from lfc.tv

 

Another option would be to start playing with three at the back like we did against Chelsea and Stoke last season.

 

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/03/liverpool-2-0-stoke-tactics/

 

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/02/06/chelsea-0-1-liverpool-tactics/

 

There would be less need for a holding midfielder as one of the back three can move upfield meeting the attackers and still have the defense in order. That 3-4-2-1 we played against Stoke could be something we could use IMO.

 

Maldini has been vocal about his lack of pace though, having not watched him in large quantities I can't say.

I might start banging the 'Play Wisdom' drum when Joey Barton dominates the inevitable parternship of Adam + Jonjo or Henderson on Saturday.

He'll give a bit of height as well. Last night was marked for missing Lucas' heading ability.

[Logic]

Not a bad shout if we're f***ing the defensive side of the game off, which effectively we are unless like Sion says we promote someone like Wisdom or Coady. Can't see us doing the latter.

Adam would need to act as the anchor/pivot for the midfield three and stay in front of our CD's. Then have Jonjo and Hendo get close to him in defense and by doing that pushing the opponents out wide.

 

We don't have much of an option for a defensive midfielder as you say so we'd need to do either this or the 3-4-2-1 I mentioned above. IMHO of course.

[honourablegeorge]

Kenny wasn't shy in using Flanagan or Robinson last season, shouldn't be shy in using youth again if need be.

[Logic]

Maldini has been vocal about his lack of pace though, having not watched him in large quantities I can't say.

I might start banging the 'Play Wisdom' drum when Joey Barton dominates the inevitable parternship of Adam + Jonjo or Henderson on Saturday.

He'll give a bit of height as well. Last night was marked for missing Lucas' heading ability.

Yes, he isn't the fastest and he would act more of an anchor/pivot for a midfield triangle than the ballwinner/covering Lucas. There are these three options I've mentioned and I can't make my mind up about what would suit us best. Against QPR I'd really like Coates in the team to deal with Heiðar who is in the form of his life and Agger/Skrtel won't win a single heading duel against him (my objective view as an Icelander ).

 

I'd be tempted to play something like this (with our current options available):

 

---------- Skrtel - Coates - Agger-----------

Johnson ----------Adam -------------Enrique

----------------Hendo --- Jonjo----------------

--------------------- Maxi --------------------------

---------------------Suarez------------------------

 

Both Skrtel and Agger are confortable enough to go wide to cover for the wing backs, have Jonjo, Hendo and Maxo do wideish creating an attacking three behind Suarez with Johnson and Enrique providing classical wideback width (that is get wide, get the ball and cross. No fancy stuff).

[schmuckdonald]

Don't think you can start Hendo, Adam AND Shelvey. Need at least someone on the bench who can come on and do a job there.

[Swipe]

Don't think you can start Hendo, Adam AND Shelvey. Need at least someone on the bench who can come on and do a job there.

 

Maybe maxi ahead of Hendo and Adam. Think we need three in there. Barton is a handful, especially with no DM.

[muleskinner]

The new angry Henderson can step up.

[schmuckdonald]

Maybe maxi ahead of Hendo and Adam. Think we need three in there. Barton is a handful, especially with no DM.

 

Don't think that will happen, though. Don't think Kenny fancies Maxi in the tackle/defensively. More worried about Faurlin than Barton. Give him space and he can tear us apart.

[Swipe]

Henderson and Adam as a two is a big ask. Even at home.

[Rich Gobey]

Don't think you can start Hendo, Adam AND Shelvey. Need at least someone on the bench who can come on and do a job there.

 

Don't think you can start Gerrard, Spearing or Lucas either so that slims down the realistic midfield choices somewhat. Kenny doesn't have to play 3 in midfield, he could play a 442.

[Nottsgriff]

I'd give Henderson a go in CM alongside Adam, with Maxi left and Dirk right - at least for QPR on Saturday anyway and see how it goes. Maxi and Dirk are solid defensively, and we shouldn't get over-run in midfield by QPR whoever we pick.

 

 

[Earl Hafler]

Maybe maxi ahead of Hendo and Adam. Think we need three in there. Barton is a handful, especially with no DM.

 

Think you could have Adam as the deepest of the three, Henderson and Shelvey infront of him.

Three at the back

 

There's options. And if we struggle against QPR at home even with a few players out, there's something very wrong.

[Chili Palmer]

Henderson and Adam as a two is a big ask. Even at home.

 

I don't think there is much choice tbh. I think the midfield against qpr will be Kuyt Hendo Adam Downing with Bellers and suarez ahead of them.

[Billy Talbot]

Think you could have Adam as the deepest of the three, Henderson and Shelvey infront of him.

Three at the back

 

There's options. And if we struggle against QPR at home even with a few players out, there's something very wrong.

 

The problem we've got is that out of out the only two decent partnerships that have blossomed this season, we've lost the most important in Lucas / Adam.

 

Skrtle / Agger is doing ok. Suarez / Carroll so far has been an unmitigated disaster, as has Enrique / Downing. Johnson / Kuyt has been a bit crap too as Kuyt has been woefully out of form.

 

So both wings aren't as good as they could be, we're light up front, and whoever comes in is filling in for one of the best in their position in world football. When even with Lucas in the team, the other problems have contributed to us not exactly tearing up trees.

 

I've a feeling we're about to go through a dark moment two until we get to Jan.

[schmuckdonald]

If Spearing ban is upheld and Suarez gets a ban as well with Gerrard and Lucas out we're left really short. Scarily so.

[aka Dus]

Holding midfielder is not a position you want to be relying on a young experienced kid.

 

The consequences of that sending off last night are worrying, I can understand if people are pissed off with Jay.

[Dan]

Holding midfielder is not a position you want to be relying on a young experienced kid.

 

The consequences of that sending off last night are worrying, I can understand if people are pissed off with Jay.

 

What for? The red was b******s.