by tonyeh » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:55 pm
If we're playing 4-5-1 with Torres up front, then yes, I'm expecting Torres to score. Because odds on, it ain't coming from anywhere else, except perhaps Gerrard or a fluke.
Whether we like it or not Liverpool playing one striker up top puts an EXTREME limitation on their goal scoring ability and that should be a cause for worry. It just compounds the struggle for goals that Liverpool's been having.
It's no secret that I prefer 4-4-2 over 4-5-1 any day of the week, except against the sides Liverpool know are stronger. Play the latter formation there and hope for a lucky knock in, like the Chelsea game.
Other than that, we need more options up front, whoever the partnership is.
Doing "OK" is not good enough and it's bound to turn around and bite Liverpool on the a*se. If "OK" is what Liverpool is aiming for and banking on lucky deflections and the chance of a tap in every so often, then they can forget any hopes of a title this year.
I can only see a 4-5-1 working as long as it's instilled in the midfield that they rush forward when the ball is knocked onto the lone striker. Then and only then will there be a chance of bodies in the box for the forward to cross to, when he enevitably runs into trouble as has happened with mind numbing frequency this year. Of course the trick then is watching for a counter attack, but football is about making and taking chances.
But a number of times I've seen the lone striker forced either left or right of the box by 4 or 5 defenders with NOBODY to knock it to and they end up having nowhere to go. This has happened clearly with Keane as a single striker. Keane's movment has been good, but I feel he needs to have someone to play off of.