Rafa must play Stevie in the centre.

[mersey86]

we have loads of midfielders, great midfielders

As a group they don't offer enough of an attacking threat though.

This, for me, is the big issue for us to resolve. How do we make best use of the amazing, but (Stevie aside) goal-shy, central midfielders we have.

[El Jefecito]

This, for me, is the big issue for us to resolve. How do we make best use of the amazing, but (Stevie aside) goal-shy, central midfielders we have.

Make sure that the 3 in front of them score more goals

[Morph]

Anyone remember how many Kewell got in his first season?

after a bit of researching it looks to have been 11 which is not a bad return at all, seems to have gone down hill a bit since then like, but in all fairness he's probably not been fit since that first season. If we could get that Harry Kewell this season we'd be sorted

[singlerider]

My biggest problem with Stevie on the right isn't necessarily that it's not his best position (which is true, but he still makes a bloody good RM) - it's that last season he really seemed to lose heart playing out there and it just looked like he couldn't be arsed IMO.

He's our best player, not only should we try and get the most from him by playing him in his best position - to an extent we should also try and keep him happy by playing him in his preferred position

[dww]

I've said that we need to get in two wingers and I would hope this would lead to two regular possibilities:

Gerrard right and a player capable of swapping sides on the left. Essentially allowing Gerrard to play a free role from the right. We would have to play Mascher and Xabi to get the best out of this in the centre. Mascher is more naturally defensively inclined and will prevent the wings being completely abandoned in defence (see the Arsenal game early last season for an example of how Gerrard allowed to roam from the right can be disasterous without this cover). With intelligent movement from two forwards and two wingers Xabi will thrive IMO and become an exceptional creative influence.

Gerrard and one of the other CMs in the middle. Gerrard gives creativity and drive from the middle. This with a pacy intelligent forward (Torres) should happily demolish crap teams. Last season improved his defensive discipline a great deal. Will give us a lot of threat going forwards if at least one of our wingers breaks past the forwards on occasion and looks likely to shoot at goal. The problem is that with Gerrard deeper in this formation if we get hemmed in against a good team in Rafas tactics it can be hard for him to get the ball in attacking areas and he is currently our midfielder most likely to get close to the forwards.

I think Gerrard should be kept close to Kuyt as he gives ideal knowk downs and chest offs for someone to run on to. this is why at the minute I favour him on the right as I can't see Rafa changing from two deep lying midfielders. I guess the alternative would be a 4-2-3-1 formation but the signing of Torres makes this seem less likely IMO. Although I wouldn't rule out Torres or Kuyt playing as the lone spearhead in at least a number of games, particularly in Europe, next season.

I'm with Polo in firmly believing that we will not play 3-5-2 anything like regularly next season.

[Mumsafan]

My problem is that he just wanders inside anyway and we are just left exposed. He does it 9 times out of 10.

[Darth Marty]

I agree with you guys, I was just speculating as to how to use all of our BEST players, as the majority are bloody central midfielders thats the best I could come up with!!
In my Liverpool Team I would have - pepe, alves, carra, agger, riise, Joaquin, stevie, masch, kewell, torres, kuyt.

I love playing with width, wingers who hug the line, have pace to burn and can deliver awesome crosses from everywhere. Just dont know how rafa can keep everyone happy this year and dont want it to be a issue.
Guess we willjust have to trust rafa and see what he does eh?

[Armchairkopite]

My problem is that he just wanders inside anyway and we are just left exposed. He does it 9 times out of 10.

Thats the draw back of his free role, Rafa seems to accept the fact that the right side can be left exposed with Stevie there.

Mind you he was very disiplined in the Camp Nou, presumably he just follows Rafas orders.

[Deadlogic]

Rafa "shouldn't play Gerrard in the centre."

Gerrard should play wherever he's told to, and give 100% whilst doing so. It's a privelidge to play for Liverpool, not a right - and I think Gerrard understands that.

Unfortunately, Sky/Andy Gray/Tabloids need something to talk about, and this is their favoured subject now with Gerrard. Let's face it, the "Gerrard Leaving" is a dead story, so they talk this ****.

Even more unfortunate, is that some people believe it.

[tomasjj]

Rafa "shouldn't play Gerrard in the centre."

Gerrard should play wherever he's told to, and give 100% whilst doing so. It's a privelidge to play for Liverpool, not a right - and I think Gerrard understands that.

Unfortunately, Sky/Andy Gray/Tabloids need something to talk about, and this is their favoured subject now with Gerrard. Let's face it, the "Gerrard Leaving" is a dead story, so they talk this ****.

Even more unfortunate, is that some people believe it.

Absolutely.

[BrooklynRed]

Rafa "shouldn't play Gerrard in the centre."

Gerrard should play wherever he's told to, and give 100% whilst doing so. It's a privelidge to play for Liverpool, not a right - and I think Gerrard understands that.

Unfortunately, Sky/Andy Gray/Tabloids need something to talk about, and this is their favoured subject now with Gerrard. Let's face it, the "Gerrard Leaving" is a dead story, so they talk this ****.

Even more unfortunate, is that some people believe it.

I agree about the pundits, which is eternally annoying. That said, I think Macher/Gerrard/2 wingers and 2 strikers, with Alonso coming off the bench to hold a lead and playing in the cups, is something Rafa MUST do. Xabi is quality, but you have to pick; Build the team around Stevie in his favoured position. Must do, in my opinion.

[DannyMan2006]

Rafa "shouldn't play Gerrard in the centre."

Gerrard should play wherever he's told to, and give 100% whilst doing so. It's a privelidge to play for Liverpool, not a right - and I think Gerrard understands that.

Unfortunately, Sky/Andy Gray/Tabloids need something to talk about, and this is their favoured subject now with Gerrard. Let's face it, the "Gerrard Leaving" is a dead story, so they talk this ****.

Even more unfortunate, is that some people believe it.

Rafa is boss and so should do whatever he likes.

Of course though we all have our own opinions. My opinion is that Stevie is the best Central midfielder in the world. He is also probably the best right back in the world and is also up there with the best Right midfielders in the world.

Of those positions, the centre, the engine room if you will, is the most important position. He is our captain. He is our best player. He should be played in his best position, which is CM.

Rafa explained a long time ago that Gerrard was played on the right because he is adaptable and was our best option. Towards the end of last season, as Pennant actually started to play well, Gerrard was put back into the centre of midfield which resulted in Xabi being dropped for the Chelsea game.

Time will tell what Rafas idea is. But personally my idea would have been to buy a RW ahead of another CM (Lucas) so that Gerrard could be played exclusively in the centre.

Either way, it is a problem that Rafa will be relishing. Just think about the problem he will have if Leto adapts, Kewell stays fit and Pennant continues his improvement, not to mention our brand new superstar winger. What then?

It's looking positive.

[El Jefecito]

Rafa needs to play the best TEAM. If that means StevieG on the right or on the bench then i'm all for it. NOTHING but the team matters.

[DannyMan2006]

Rafa needs to play the best TEAM. If that means StevieG on the right or on the bench then i'm all for it. NOTHING but the team matters.

Too right. My argument though is that the team will be better with Gerrard in the centre and Pennant on the right, than Momo in the centre and Gerrard on the right.

[Kopite_Colin]

You play your best players all the time (Carling Cup / league won / league lost and still in other comps excepted). You play your best players in their best position. It's not rocket science. SG is best in the centre. Rafa should have learnt that by now.