Liverpool FC Forum

[aCe']

Poulsen - Spearing - Lucas - Shelvey - Meireles - Henderson - Adam - Gerrard - Aquilani

With 9 or (8) somewhat established (Shelvey aside) central midfielders in the side, Kenny has some decisions to make regarding our strongest combination in the middle when everyone is fit and ready...

Obviously, players like Poulsen, Spearing and Shelvey will find it hard to get in the side, but pretty much everyone else has a strong case to be included in the starting lineup when fit and ready..

Lucas: Player of the season last time around. Only realistic option for the defensive midfield position imo. Certain starter when available for me

Meireles: PFA Fans Player of the Year. Also had a very good debut season playing mostly out of position. I dont think we've seen all he has to offer and I for one would be very disappointed if we dont start him regularly. Regular starter for me.

Henderson: our 20mill man. When he signed many were saying he'd be played down the flank more often than not. From what I've seen of him, he's a disaster down the flank. Still young and will undoubtedly improve with experience but I feel a central position is where we'll most likely see him this season unless Kuyt suffers an injury. Bench player for me.

Adam: A player that Kenny seems to rate. He did well last season for Blackpool scoring 2 goals from open play (9 penalties and 2 set pieces) mostly in a good 6 months run... Has decent delivery but his overall game is a bit of a worry for me especially given the position and role he'd be expected to play. Too static and one dimensional. Bench role

Aquilani: Another 20mill signing of ours. Did well last season for Juventus. Has been doing well for Italy whenever called upon. Did well for us in preseason. We tried to offload him but it seems like he will be staying unless something drastic happens in the next few days. Never really got a chance to show Liverpool what he can offer and might very well have 4 or so months to do so. Has bags of skills,creativity, and flair, but isnt the best tackler and doent have the best defensive awareness. Divides opinions but remains perhaps the most exciting player in our books behind Suarez. Starter in Gerrard's absence, squad player otherwise.

Gerrard: When available, he is still our best player. Had his problems with injuries the past few years but I'm hopeful he'll have a decent run this time around. Will be interesting to see where he is played given our signings but regardless, he'll always have a guaranteed spot in the starting 11 when fit and ready.

For me, we should start the season with :

              Lucas        Meireles
                     Aquilani

When Gerrard is back, we should consider playing:

Against stronger sides          Against weaker sides
   
     Lucas     Meireles                                   Lucas
           Gerrard                                  Gerrard     Aquilani

[crazyhorse]

Makes good sense to me mate, especially regarding Aqua.

[ethanr]

I generally agree with you there, although I rate Adam better than Meireles.  Meireles never seemed able to last the full game last season for one, and for two Adam is a really good tackler.  Against stronger teams, I'd definitely have him over Meireles for his defensive points alone.  Aqua is inconsistent.  He's had some incredible moments for us in preseason, but he's also completely disappeared at others.

I'd say loan Spearing and Shelvey.  Try to play Hendo on the right more often than in the center.  I think Lucas should be one of our main starters as well.  I think we should really go after the FA cup this year.  With these extra midfielders, I think we could put a really decent team out for the most part.  We could have Aqua, Meireles or Adam all playing CM and Hendo on the right, Maxi on the left.  If we do get another CB we could probably play Skrtel and Kelly at RB, Flanno and Robinson, Doni in goal, N'gog up front.  Maybe play a 4-5-1 like that.  There's also Cole who could possibly play as a striker.

It's nice to have a little bit of depth for once.

[tubby]

My preferred combination is whoever deserves it.

[aCe']

I generally agree with you there, although I rate Adam better than Meireles.  Meireles never seemed able to last the full game last season for one, and for two Adam is a really good tackler.  Against stronger teams, I'd definitely have him over Meireles for his defensive points alone.  Aqua is inconsistent.  He's had some incredible moments for us in preseason, but he's also completely disappeared at others.

I'd say loan Spearing and Shelvey.  Try to play Hendo on the right more often than in the center.  I think Lucas should be one of our main starters as well.  I think we should really go after the FA cup this year.  With these extra midfielders, I think we could put a really decent team out for the most part.  We could have Aqua, Meireles or Adam all playing CM and Hendo on the right, Maxi on the left.  If we do get another CB we could probably play Skrtel and Kelly at RB, Flanno and Robinson, Doni in goal, N'gog up front.  Maybe play a 4-5-1 like that.  There's also Cole who could possibly play as a striker.

It's nice to have a little bit of depth for once.

This is something i dont really understand...
Meireles has played all his career as a holding midfielder for both club and country (still does for country).. Might not be the best tackler (neither was/is Pirlo, Carrick..etc) but he knows where to stand and has decent defensive awareness.. He is also a better starter of attacking moves than Adam is and has better mobility that allows him to carry the ball when needed ..

Adam on the other hand played almost all his gamed for Blackpool in an attacking midfield free roaming role.. While he might seem more physically capable of knocking others around, he is nowhere near a good tackler in my books.. He also struggles to distribute from deeper from what I've seen and doesnt have the mobility to carry the ball or dribble in tight areas..

On the Meireles fitness issue, HE IS THE SECOND MOST FIT PLAYER IN THE LFC SQUAD behind Kuyt (and not far behind if i may add)
[url=http://www.ourkop.com/2011/07/27/who-are-the-fittest-fastest-and-slowest-players-at-liverpool-an-inside-look-at-liverpools-
training-with-darren-burgess/]MEIRELES FITNESS [/url]
Again, last season he was played mostly in a wide role or behind the striker... Not his position yet still did exceptionally well... Not many got to see his passing range or his runs through the middle given the positions he was asked to play.. My biggest concern is that with Adam and Henderson signed, we might never do.. Which would be a shame because as far as im concerned, its him who should be considered an Alonso replacement rather than Adam..

[neil]

reina
          johnson -  skert - aggs - enrique
                     Adam - Gerrard
           Henderson - Aquilani -  Downy
                      carrol - suarez


The more astute amongst us may have noted the team consists of 12 players, this may well be the way forward, if we could simply secreat the 12th guy onto the pitch at say...during an early throwin...we may well reap the rewards of this set up. If not, stevie g is injured anyway. Winning.

[aCe']

reina
          johnson -  skert - aggs - enrique
                     Adam - Gerrard
           Henderson - Aquilani -  Downy
                      carrol - suarez


The more astute amongst us may have noted the team consists of 12 players, this may well be the way forward, if we could simply secreat the 12th guy onto the pitch at say...during an early throwin...we may well reap the rewards of this set up. If not, stevie g is injured anyway. Winning.

the only one winning is your psychiatrist mate !

[aCe']

I dont really buy into the whole 'we'll play a different formation and different players depending on the opposition' argument.. We should have a strongest starting 11 that is played when all are fit and on form regardless of the opposition. One of the main criticisms on previous managers was that we worried too much about what the opposition could do to hurt and thus focused less on our own strengths.. I dont see us playing 3 at the back often (if at all) and if we do decide to play a 4-4-2 then I dont expect it to be a traditional one with 2 wingers hugging the touchline simply because we dont have the personnel to make it work over a sustained period (Downing being the only exception)..

Many will argue that with us spending close to 30mill on Adam & Henderson, they're bound to play a significant part for us this season. I fully expect that to be the case. Howver imo, the lineups above just might provide the side with a better balance especially when it comes to transitioning the ball from defensive situations to attacking ones..

Many other factors will undoubtedly influence our decision on who to play and where/when to play them. One of the important factors is who plays the center forward role. If Suarez is played (with Carroll benched), then Aquilani imo should definitely be played in the side and given  considerable freedom to pick his positions and runs. Him and Suarez would connect well in the final 3rd imo and would certainly be exciting to watch. Similarly, If Carroll is played (with Suarez unavailable) then Adam should be considered for the threat he provides from setpieces and crosses.

If both Suarez and Carroll are played in the side (as expected when both are available) then that opens a whole new discussion on formations and where Suarez could be played. Most likely, such a scenario would leave Suarez moved to the flank (which isnt ideal given the defensive duties he's be expected to carry out). The alternative would be playing Suarez in a central role. That effectively rules out a 3man central midfield and leaves Lucas-Gerrard as an easy CM pairing when both are available.... Which again open up the discussion of Gerrard playing a wide role...etc etc

To make things easier, lets assume we play a 3 man central midfield... who would you play ?

[metalhead]

My preferred is

Adam - Gerrard - Lucas

or

Aquilani - Gerrard - Lucas

in a 3 man midfield

or if we want to go all out attacking

Adam - Aquilani
      Gerrard

[Joeblackisachimp]

Judging on what I saw during the freindly V. Valencia. my starting formation would be a 4-4-2. midfield being.....

               
Downing   Lucas- Spearing - Kuyt

i think adam, and henderson are inexperienced at this level to bring immediate success, and should be started from the bench in most games.

Downing is experienced in the Prem, so a must start for me.

you all saw the difference, when cole, lucas and kuyt made after coming from the bench in the last freindly.

i would keep cole, but i think poulsen and meireles are looking at other clubs.

[mart]

For me, we should start the season with :

              Lucas        Meireles
                     Aquilani

When Gerrard is back, we should consider playing:

Against stronger sides          Against weaker sides
   
     Lucas     Meireles                                   Lucas
           Gerrard                                  Gerrard     Aquilani

While I agree with this I dont think there is much chance that we will start the season with that team. I'm pretty sure adam at least is guaranteed to start, and probably henderson too.

[SouthCoastShankly]

I generally agree with you there, although I rate Adam better than Meireles.  Meireles never seemed able to last the full game last season for one, and for two Adam is a really good tackler.  Against stronger teams, I'd definitely have him over Meireles for his defensive points alone.  Aqua is inconsistent.  He's had some incredible moments for us in preseason, but he's also completely disappeared at others.

I'd say loan Spearing and Shelvey.  Try to play Hendo on the right more often than in the center.  I think Lucas should be one of our main starters as well.  I think we should really go after the FA cup this year.  With these extra midfielders, I think we could put a really decent team out for the most part.  We could have Aqua, Meireles or Adam all playing CM and Hendo on the right, Maxi on the left.  If we do get another CB we could probably play Skrtel and Kelly at RB, Flanno and Robinson, Doni in goal, N'gog up front.  Maybe play a 4-5-1 like that.  There's also Cole who could possibly play as a striker.

It's nice to have a little bit of depth for once.

This is something i dont really understand...
Meireles has played all his career as a holding midfielder for both club and country (still does for country).. Might not be the best tackler (neither was/is Pirlo, Carrick..etc) but he knows where to stand and has decent defensive awareness.. He is also a better starter of attacking moves than Adam is and has better mobility that allows him to carry the ball when needed ..

Adam on the other hand played almost all his gamed for Blackpool in an attacking midfield free roaming role.. While he might seem more physically capable of knocking others around, he is nowhere near a good tackler in my books.. He also struggles to distribute from deeper from what I've seen and doesnt have the mobility to carry the ball or dribble in tight areas..

On the Meireles fitness issue, HE IS THE SECOND MOST FIT PLAYER IN THE LFC SQUAD behind Kuyt (and not far behind if i may add)
[url=http://www.ourkop.com/2011/07/27/who-are-the-fittest-fastest-and-slowest-players-at-liverpool-an-inside-look-at-liverpools-


training-with-darren-burgess/]MEIRELES FITNESS [/url]
Again, last season he was played mostly in a wide role or behind the striker... Not his position yet still did exceptionally well... Not many got to see his passing range or his runs through the middle given the positions he was asked to play.. My biggest concern is that with Adam and Henderson signed, we might never do.. Which would be a shame because as far as im concerned, its him who should be considered an Alonso replacement rather than Adam..

I really like Meireles but I can't agree that he is more of a replacement to Alonso than Adam.

You said yourself that he played an advanced role for us. There is no reason whatsoever why he could not of played alongside Lucas if his talent was a holding player. I can only assume Dalglish was happy with Lucas performing the role and did not require two holding players or that Meireles wasn't suited to that role in England.

In terms of replacements, Lucas replaced Mascherano and no one until the signing of Adam has provided any sort of distribution capability that Alonso possessed. Meireles definitely isn't the Alonso player at all.

I also think you'll be sorely disappointed this season if you think Meireles will get more games than Adam. Dalglish is clearly a big fan of Adam. If it was purely about filling a position at Xmas last year he would not of pursued Adam this summer.

[jacdaniel]

Its a very difficult question to answer TBH.  I think they'll all be giving a chance to impress and whoever finds form and blends well together will get the nod.    Im even kind of on the fence myself until I see a bit more of Henderson and Adam. 

The only player thats got to start is Lucas.  He is our only very good DM.  Id probably play Aqua in an advanced role as well based on his recent form.  So realistically its between Adam, Meireles and hendo for a CM position.

I honestly believe that Gerrard might find it quite difficult to get back into the team when he returns.  Especially if we get off to a good start.

[mart]

I honestly believe that Gerrard might find it quite difficult to get back into the team when he returns.  Especially if we get off to a good start.

Gerrard is guaranteed a spot even if we get off to a good start, and regardless of how well he plays.

[Raoul]

In a three-man midfield:

              Lucas
Gerrard               and whoever is left standing after the weekly training ground stoush