going on the talk in the press and a bit of realism here's what I can see come the first game. .........................Reina............................ Johnson.......Skrtel........Agger..........Enrique ..................Lucas........Allen..................... .........................Gerrard.......................... .......Suarez..........Borini...........Dempsey..... Bench: Doni, Carragher, Kelly/Coates, Henderson, Cole/Downing, Bellamy, Aquilani/Shelvey I want to see Sterling, Suso and Robinson get more game time this year as they are really exciting players.
Here's hoping that if at times during the season and Rodgers is playing 4 in the midfield, Henderson won't playing right midfield.
Stupid mistake.... my brain said Allen and my fingers said Downing. I agree that Henderson should never play wide.
Allen would be a great signing for us if we can get him but I thought Rodgers wasn't allowed to raid Swansea for 12 months though? Nevertheless, great signing if we can get him. Dempsey i'm not overly keen on, mostly because of the fact he'll cost £10 million and he's 29.
Not sure if suarez and coates will be ready for the first game of the season as they both on olympic duty and i can see uraguay going on way to final. If we do sign allen i thin he will be direct competition for lucas - who might also miss first game of season as hes coming back from a big lay off
NO, we haven't got Dempsey nor Allen neither.... Just showing different options, i guess? There's a squad of 25 players!!
I'd love to see Lucas be able to make the starting XI that early, he is back well ahead of schedule after all so as long as it wasn't rushing him too quickly that's great.
Would you not prefer Aquilani over either?! Henderson is likely to alternate between place in centre and down right wing. Can see Rodgers finding way to give him good game time as he is perfect for this system. His energy when closing player's down is paramount.
Personally, I think Gerrard's days of playing just off the front men are over. Playing him alongside Lucas would allow for his natural tendency to 'bomb on' as well as his eye for a decisive pass. It would also allow Lucas to focus more on blocking attacks and generally being the dog's bollocks. Think Mascherano and Alonso. For what it's worth..... ------------------------------------------Reina------------------------------------------------- --Johnson-----------------Skrtel------------------------Agger------------------Enrique---------- --------------------------Lucas----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------Gerrard----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------Dempsey (?)---------------------------------------------- ----Suarez-----------------------------------------------------------------------Borini---------- -----------------------------------------Carroll*------------------------------------------------ Subs: Doni, Henderson, Adam, Coates, Kelly**, Shelvey, Pacheco, Aquilani. *I'm not giving up on the big man yet. ** I really want to see more and more of Martin Kelly and it was 50/50 between him and Johnson who went in. In fact, I'd consider swapping Johnson to left back (where, if anything, he's looked more adept), bring Kelly in at right back and leave Enrique out. Not a bad problem to have, I suppose.
I expect Liverpool to do a lot better under Brendan Rodgers. The defense is already there. I expect Clint Dempsey to even join. Fabio Borini is brought. Suarez is a shark of a striker. Lucas and Gerrard are Liverpool's two best midfielders, at there best they can be better than the rest.
Reina Johnson Skrtel Coates Enrique Lucas Gerrard Henderson Sturridge Borini Suarez Looks like Agger is off. A lot depends on if you buy a CB to replace him, and also if you can land Ramirez (I think it's unlikely personally - he's been fantastic in the Olympics and his price will just be rocketing.) I think you'll sign one of Sturridge, Walcott or Moses. None of them are fantastic, but they'd all be decent. I've put Sturridge in the team, but could be any of those 3. Joe Allen may replace Henderson too. We'll see. F*ck knows if you'll see Aquilani.
I doubt we'll be replacing Henderson this quickly to be honest as Henderson should flourish under the tactics from Rodgers. Out of the three, Moses is probably the one i'd like the most but I honestly can't see us getting any of them...it'd be nice to be proven wrong though.
Suarez is one of Liverpool's most (important) and consistent players. The only other one I can see is Agger. Then probably Skrtel. Talk about a good defense or good attack? Gerrard is coming through his paces, several others come through it'll be good then for Liverpool.
I'm saying Liverpool can be equally good in attack as in defense. Suarez, Borini, Gerrard can spur them to something good.
I don't mean replace like give up on him and sell him for a loss, I just mean replace in the first eleven, but Henderson would still have a large part to play.
