Liverpool FC Forum

[Owzat]

Do we buy players to fit into our new found formation and its related success or do we sign players to fit 4-4-2 so we can revert to that formation?

If we stick with the current formation does that mean we see Crouch leave and Kuyt stay rather than the other way around? Will it see more players leave or less? Will it change who is sold?

Will sticking with this formation next season mean we need to sign any less new players? ie do more of the existing players fit in better with the current system than 4-4-2?

And of course the million dollar question, has the improvement in results been down to the change in formation, the opposition played, the consistency of selection or all or some of these factors? Have we focused too much on the whos rather than the hows?

[duk]

I think the 4-2-3-1 is the way forward in the short term and as such i believe we need to get rid of crouch and find a decent CF that can also play as part of the 3 behind.

Having said that maybe the key to sucess is the ability to play both formations really well, being able to change comfortably from game to game, or even the ability to bring on a sub that changes the formation which will then change games. Being able to do this will also make us less predictable and as such harder to defend against

[Toffeehater]

I'd want us to switch back to the 4-4-2 formation and like duk as said i think this formation is temporary and rafa was just experimenting with it and it has worked but torres will be isolated againist top teams like he was against manure and arsenal and he showed he just needs 1 chance . We need to sign a left winger , kuyt has done well on the right but i think he will be dropped next season for a better winger to take his place so we need a right winger also , we don't need a striker , babel can play there and we can sign maybe another one for rotation or injuries , everyone knows i'm a great admirier of robbie keane .

So maybe 2 wingers or if not babel plays on the left , so a right winger , a striker , a right full back would be good and maybe even a left one , alves and lahm , robbie keane striker and bentely as a right winger

[SupitsJonF]

I'm not 100% on Babel.  He played an impressive game against Arsenal when we won 4-2, but he had a few poor games right before that as well.  With more consistency and less predictable moves with a tab bit better first touch, I don't see why he would need replacement.

[Owzat]

[quote="SupitsJonF"][/quote]
I think Rafa may decide to stick with this formation, what he does the rest of this season and in preseason may well give a bigger hint. IF we did reach the final then that starting XI would give us a big clue.

I wouldn't sign players to fit the formation, stick to the players identified as being needed and just not sign anyone who couldn't adapt. Crouch may well have as much say as to whether he stays or not, personally I don't believe he is going to be first choice England striker no matter where he plays with Rooney and Owen better and fit. Maybe he could sell himself to Newcastle, playing alongside Owen might make a case for him, but would an England manager seriously leave out Rooney? I found Fabio's reported comment about Rooney being a future England captain a bit odd, does that mean Fabio isn't looking long term or has no intention of making Rooney HIS captain?

And of course another key to what happens with formation etc is who we look to offload. We can't just add to the squad and Crouch, Voronin, Riise and Pennant look most vulnerable with Kewell just about to be hit on the Rs by the door. So a LB is needed to replace Riise, frees up Arbeloa to play RB if needed. Voronin and Crouch needed replacing anyway, maybe we'll ditch the idea of a tall target man and bring in players with a bit more ability to run with the ball. And a couple of wide players also needed, able to score and cross with adaptability to play wide midfield or in the Josie 4-3-3 formation as wide/wing forwards.

So in a sense I would sign players who can fit in with either formation. This season is a bit unusual, normally we have a sh1 te start and good finish, but this season it has been the early-middle that was sh1 te.

Games 01-08 : P8 W4 D4 L0 F14 A4 PTS 16 (P/G 2.00)
Games 09-16 : P8 W4 D2 L2 F13 A6 PTS 14 (P/G 1.75)
Games 17-24 : P8 W3 D4 L1 F13 A7 PTS 13 (P/G 1.63)
Games 25-32 : P8 W6 D1 L1 F16 A7 PTS 19 (P/G 2.38)
Games 33-34 : P2 W1 D1 L0 F4 A2 PTS 4 (P/G 2.00)

Maybe not the perfect start, but well positioned. Then UEFA form for 16 games before a late surge. That our best form coincides with the new formation shouldn't be written off. And more precisely our title hopes disappeared completely with a run of five winless games which came in a longer sequence of two wins in nine games.

[Festy]

As far as formation for the next season is concerned, alot will depend on the new players we buy IMO. If we can bring a world-class CF like Torres (which I think we will), then surely it will be 4-4-2 for the majority of the season.
Although one thing which is confusing me the most is, if Alonso stays, who will be left out in 4-4-2 formation. Because we have 3 irreplaceable center mid in Gerrard, Masch and Alonso.

[Owzat]

But should we play the formation that works best or to fit the personnel? And if a good striker is signed then can they not play in a 4-3-3 type formation with Kuyt on the other flank?

[Festy]

Kuyt is never an option for the wings. Specially in the league where we'd virtually have to win every match, hence the requirement of a natural winger. Kuyt can be useful option in the Europe (like against gunners), where we need workhorses, who can also help in defence.

[Owzat]

Kuyt is never an option for the wings. Specially in the league where we'd virtually have to win every match, hence the requirement of a natural winger. Kuyt can be useful option in the Europe (like against gunners), where we need workhorses, who can also help in defence.

I think Kuyt has showed he is capable of working the flanks, work on his crossing a bit and he's better than practically all our other wingers if not all. Apart from beat a defender what is it you're saying Kuyt can't do that a natural winger can? We've bought natural wingers, look where that got us!