The Liverpool FC Thread XII

Why does everyone seem to think Rodgers can get the best out of Balotelli? Rodgers has had 1 very good season but it was just that, he is still very much unproven and better managers than Rodgers have tried and failed to get the best out of him. Some have got him to have good spells but none have had him consistently performing (Mourinho, Mancini, Lippi, Prandelli and Allegri.) I am not saying they are all better than Rodgers but he certainly wouldn't be top of that list.

Claire Rourke says to watch out for the 9pm announcement on LFC TV

... I reckon he's playing Monday

debuts for Moreno, Markovic and Balotelli away to the league champions then

Think it's to do with someone doing the Ice Bucket challenge.

https://twitter.com/clairerourke/status/502468210504265728

That's the tweet by Claire

https://twitter.com/LFCTV/status/502490122966011905

And that's the tweet by LFCTV.

Shorts fired.

So how does he fit in? Surely not backup to Sturridge, so you're going back to the 2 up front? Or 4-3-3 with Sturridge and Sterling out wide.

So how does he fit in? Surely not backup to Sturridge, so you're going back to the 2 up front? Or 4-3-3 with Sturridge and Sterling out wide.

So how does he fit in? Surely not backup to Sturridge, so you're going back to the 2 up front? Or 4-3-3 with Sturridge and Sterling out wide.

Obviously Mario is kind of a last resort considering BR ruled out signing him like a month ago, but he really could be a hit here. On other hand, he could be **** and be shipped off again in 6 months like Robbie Keane. One of those ones that could go either way and is a risk, which is probably why Rodgers wanted to go for other options first.

diamond, 4-2-2-2, lopsided 4-3-3, lopsided 4-2-3-1, genuine 4-3-3 all possible formations to play both of them

comparing me to rodgers.
lol, nice burn...

There wasn't meant to be an indirect dig at you there but if you feel burnt maybe you should have a check up with your GP for Syphillis

mate you're on fire today, jesus!

No I think you're the one burning not me

Surely 3-5-2 as well?

You have midfield depth and have improved on the fullbacks. Could be a way to initially integrate the two and as I've said before you have more than enough CBs with experience to play 3atb unlike other 3atb teams...

Eitherway still a very interesting proposition you have with those two playing together, with Suarez he was more adaptable to many positions. Balotelli and Sturridge are both versatile forwards so would be a great combo. Similar age, think if they hit it off together it could be the best ST partnership in the league, or at least best selection of strikers in the league. I envy your options as a Chelsea fan.

Surely 3-5-2 as well?

You have midfield depth and have improved on the fullbacks. Could be a way to initially integrate the two and as I've said before you have more than enough CBs with experience to play 3atb unlike other 3atb teams...

Eitherway still a very interesting proposition you have with those two playing together, with Suarez he was more adaptable to many positions. Balotelli and Sturridge are both versatile forwards so would be a great combo. Similar age, think if they hit it off together it could be the best ST partnership in the league, or at least best selection of strikers in the league. I envy your options as a Chelsea fan.

Personally I am not convinced by 3 at the back. Against the lesser teams it seems like an odd decision as it means you almost always have 3 players back and with Gerrard the way he is, he will probably be quite deep as well meaning there are not enough bodies up top. In a game like Chelsea last year where they had no intention of getting forward, you need 4 at the back with both fullbacks very advanced.
Also Liverpool have a lot of midfielders and attackers that are too good to drop at the expense of a centre back. 3 at the back would only work if you dropped a full back and replaced him with Sterling or Henderson as the the wingback on one side. This reduced the attacking threat of that player and means they are weaker defensively. Assuming there is 3 at the back and the 2 full backs (Moreno and Manquillo) as wing backs that leaves just 5 spaces for any of Gerrard, Henderson, Sturridge, Sterling, Balotelli, Coutinho, Markovic and then subs of Lambert, Can and Allen. It is hard to justify having a 3rd centre back in Skrtel or Sakho at the expense of such quality subs (2 of the original 7.)
For me, Liverpool best suit a 4-4-2 diamond when both strikers are fully fit and a 4-3-3 when one of them is injured. Also Sturridge could move out wide in a 4-3-3 for the tougher away games where Rodgers wants to pack the midfield.

I was also considering using Gerrard as a CB. He pretty much plays as one when the team are in possession nowadays anyway. He can also get forward and be involved with the play, which means one man to pick up that they were not initially meant to pick up. It ends up being a bit more attacking as the wing backs are very high up but with the squad you have it would be great against fodder opposition.

Then if you use 3 natural CBs it can serve well for rotational purposes.