If all our players were fit

[Pacman]

Given the players at the Club now - does Rafa have a "best 11" or a "best formation" or is it purely a "best 11/formation for todays opponents"?

Discuss.

You know his idea no?

He picks players based on the team we are playing and their energy levels.

Rafa

[Imy]

he picks sides to suit his tactics for the day/opposition. He always has done.

You know his idea no?

He picks players based on the team we are playing and their energy levels.

Rafa

[bazza76]

Given the players at the Club now - does Rafa have a "best 11" or a "best formation" or is it purely a "best 11/formation for todays opponents"?

Discuss.

Nothing to discuss really, it is the best 11 and formation depending on the opposition. Fitness will also be a factor in selections.

[flyboy]

at the moment i dont think he has a bloody clue

[Pacman]

at the moment i dont think he has a bloody clue

Behave

[fred_plasticine]

question is : does every manager need a best 11?

[einar]

question is : does every manager need a best 11?

NO.

[friedk]

I think you will find that Reina, Carra, Agger, Gerrard, Torres, Finnan, Alonso/Mascherano (or in most cases both) would make most peoples top 11, including Rafa, which leaves 3 positions to fill.

If we want width, you play Pennant and Kewell because they are the closest we have to wingers, play SG with Xabi or Masch, then partner Torres with Crouch/Kuyt/Voronin/Babel.

Alternatively you play a 4-2-3-1 which is interchangeable with other combinations (4-5-1; 4-3-2-1), in that case Torres is up front on his own, Xabi and Masch both play behind Stevie and 2 others (imo Yossi and Kewell, although Babel and Kuyt could also work in that system). You do, however need fast, attacking full backs for this to work at its best, and for me Arbeloa is the only one who fits into that category.

[The Birdman]

Reina
Finnan - Carra - Agger - Arbeloa
Yossi - Mach - Alonso - Kewell
Gerrard
Torres

[homer1]

I love Riise's passion and drive and willingness to bomb down the flank. He will go past players and give his all. And above all, I love his lethal left foot. He is also lacking in the tackle but at least he goes into it wholeheartedly which I havn't seen from Aurelio but then he is Brazilian and they don't tend to be tough players.

I would love it more if he bombed down the flank with purpose instead of like a headless chicken, kicking it one way, trying to run around the other and not succeeding most of the time. Rarely do you see him going past players and with the exception of VERY occasional situations (over the past couple of years in particular), his left foot has not been that lethal

I completely disagree with your comments about him going in wholeheartedly, the only time you will ever see Riise going in for a crunching tackle is when the opponent is turned away from him, can honestly not remember the last time he went in for a 50/50 tackle

As you might have guessed, not a fan of Riise's and if Aurelio could stay fit for more than 2 games in a row then he should play week in week out

All IMO of course

[amberan]

.............Reina
Finnan.Carra.Agger.Aurelio
.....Mascher..Xabi
.Babel..Gerrard..Kewell
..........Torres

I think that when Babel is playing with Torres, Gerrard, Kewell all on form we will see great things from him.

[bobbyfallon]

A similar side to Shaggy's, I think I'd go:


---------------Reina--------------

Finnan-----Carra---Agger------Arbeloa

------Mascherano-----Alonso------

Babel---------Gerrard-----------Kewell

--------------Torres---------------

our best team

[The Wolfman]

who would be your first 11?

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa
Alonso Masch
Yossi Gerrard Kewell
Torres

for me

My liverpool XI:

1. aki

2.aki 3.aki 4.aki 5.aki


6. k. everette 7. Lilly savage 8. pete burns 9. pete price


10. Ray 11. Sinbad.

(off x-factor last year)

[Svennis]

Mine would be:

-----------------------Torres------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
-----Kewell-------------Yossi--------------Gerrard---
--------------Xabi-------------Mascherano-----------
-----------------------------------------------------
------Aurelio------------------------------Arbeloa----
-----------------Agger-------Carra-------------------
-----------------------Reina--------------------------

Enough skill, creativity and goal threats. Also reasonable amount of pacey players there too. Every player bar Carragher are good passer of the ball.

[The Wolfman]

Mine would be:

-----------------------Torres------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
-----Kewell-------------Yossi--------------Gerrard---
--------------Xabi-------------Mascherano-----------
-----------------------------------------------------
------Aurelio------------------------------Arbeloa----
-----------------Agger-------Carra-------------------
-----------------------Reina--------------------------

Enough skill, creativity and goal threats. Also reasonable amount of pacey players there too. Every player bar Carragher are good passer of the ball.

for me, i would take out yossi and put in kuyt - dont care what anyone says,he is a ****ing beast for our team.

Would swap arbeloa for finnan (and maybe stick arbeloa at LB).
Also mascherano out and pennant on the right (depending on the opposition).

Pennant since the turn of the year has been a bit of an unsung hero IMO.
Not a world beater, but does more than his fair share for the team, and good on the break. With torres to aim for he can break at pace now.