Presuming we sign Barry

[Johnny]

Barry offers a much better attacking option than Xabi.With Mascher as Sweeper/DM we need the rest of our MF`s to chip in with goals,something Xabi was missing in his game.

[Abro100]

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

-------------Skrtle-------Carra--------------

-Arbloa
-------------------------------------Dossena
-------------Mascherano----------------
------------------------------Barry

--------------Gerrard
-Right-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------Babel
----------------Torres

id play it like that with Dossena being a more Attacking ful back, supporting Babel in an advanced wing forward.
This would allow barry to Drop back and cover Dossena but also allow him to go forward with Gerard in Attacking midfield when each change is needed.
A decent right winger who can also track back, supporting the attacking play with Arbeloa overlapping when needed.
Mascherano can sit in front of the back and cover Right back if needed, with barry able to cover Mascherano if he does, and with Gerrard engine we will be running back if caught aswell. A lot of chances for switching positions to cover and confuse i think.

[Johnny]

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

-------------Skrtle-------Carra--------------

-Arbloa
-------------------------------------Dossena
-------------Mascherano----------------
------------------------------Barry

--------------Gerrard
-Right-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------Babel
----------------Torres

id play it like that with Dossena being Attacking and supporting Babel in an advanced wing forward barry able to Drop back and forard with Gerard Attacking midfield and a right winger supporting the attacking play. Mascherano can sit in front of the back four with barry able to cover dossena aswell. Alot of chance for switching positions to cover and confuse aswell.

I hope Rafa isn`t that complicated.One guy can`t do his job and the whole team falls apart.

[Abro100]

I hope Rafa isn`t that complicated.One guy can`t do his job and the whole team falls apart.

I expanded it, i was a bit vague. I don't think it says that, it shows that we can cover in positions if one man is caught out. Anyway the level of football which is play in the Premier League, against the top 4 especially, it only takes one mistake, one man to not do his job properly and its a goal.

[Roboklopp]

I hope Rafa isn`t that complicated.One guy can`t do his job and the whole team falls apart.

I'm sure RAfa is much more complicated.


Does Barry really offer that more than Xabi up top? I know he's more mobile, therefore would be an extra body up there, but how many of his goals were pens, which Stevie takes anyways (not discounting free-kicks here cos no-one at LFC takes em decently TBH, altho praps I should cos that is another issue entirely)?

Didnt he get 8 in the league or summat? Not a great total including pens (& FKs) really.

What about assists?

[rage]

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

-------------Skrtle-------Carra--------------

-Arbloa
-------------------------------------Dossena
-------------Mascherano----------------
------------------------------Barry

--------------Gerrard
-Right-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------Babel
----------------Torres

id play it like that with Dossena being a more Attacking ful back, supporting Babel in an advanced wing forward.
This would allow barry to Drop back and cover Dossena but also allow him to go forward with Gerard in Attacking midfield when each change is needed.
A decent right winger who can also track back, supporting the attacking play with Arbeloa overlapping when needed.
Mascherano can sit in front of the back and cover Right back if needed, with barry able to cover Mascherano if he does, and with Gerrard engine we will be running back if caught aswell. A lot of chances for switching positions to cover and confuse i think.

you'd leave agger out.

[Abro100]

you'd leave agger out.

I dont know what to do mate, it will eventually be Agger and Skrtle but i dont think no one can call between Carra and Sktrl and Agger

[rage]

I dont know what to do mate, it will eventually be Agger and Skrtle but i dont think no one can call between Carra and Sktrl and Agger

and that's why i think we'll alternate between 352 and 4231. our strength in depth is in our core. goalkeeper, 3 centre backs, 3 central midfielders, what appears to be 2 new attacking fullbacks (infact with the exception of arbeloa they are all attacking fullbacks) and Torres

[CincyRed]

---------Reina
---Skrtel Carra Agger
--------Masher
Degen---------Dossena
--------Barry
----Gerrard Babel
-------Torres

I agree its hard to pick between the back three so thats why I think Rafas picked up two very attacking full backs. With the buys he's made thus far and my suspicion we are only looking at one new attacking player, I bet well see this line up next year. I think he's made a conscious decision to fore go wingers. I do think this XI has potential though. It all depends on the quality of the two new fullbacks and whether Babel can continue to step up his game. I expect Barry will have a greater impact on our league campaign next season than Xabi has done in the previous two.

[Johnny]

Barry will probably score more goals than King Xabi in his 1st yr with us.Love xabi but we don`t need him now we`ve signed mascher.

[Marky]

Are you in favour of the imminent arrival of Gareth, Johnny?

I am. I think hes quality.

[Johnny]

I am. I think hes quality.I`ve wonder`d about Xabi for the last few months.If Xabi leaves(Not the end of the world,He`s not even in our top 5 now)then judging by Barry`s performances,MON`s coment`s,What SG said then we wll be better off with Barry

[The Aardvark]

Indeed, but we would lose rhythm & guile sans Xabi.

Barry has rhythm and guile too, not a bad swap.

Aimar is cack, well past it.

I think this is how Rafa will line up next season in most games 4-3-3

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

Degen/Finnan----Carra--Agger-----Dossena/Aurelio

------Masch/Plessis----------Barry/Lucas---------

------------------Gerrard------------------------

New signing/Kuyt---------------------------Babel

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

Sami and Sktrel as central defensive cover.

In terms of new players we need forwards with pace who can play wide (Bentley maybe on the right, or preferably Walcott) plus cover for Torres, especially if Crouch goes. Keep Kuyt as cover, get rid of Voronin/Pennant.