What's our best 11?

[Bob]

All these formations are pie in the sky, I'd like to see some of them but realistically it's always going to be 442 or 451 for Rafa, I just don't think we can accomodate the personnel, in a 442 and it's a shame.

Sadly true!

[paulcooper4]

Okay so we're 9 games in total into the season, so on current evidence what's our strongest starting 11?

Based on what I've seen so far, I'd have to say this is strongest 11:

-----------------Reina--------------
---Finnan---Agger---Carra----Riise---
--Gerrard--Sissoko---Alonso--Aurelio--
------------------Crouch-------------
----------------Kuyt-----------------

The only places I'd say that are up for discussion are left wing, because we haven't seen enough of Gonzalez yet, and we've also got Harry Kewell to consider. Some might laugh at that, but a fit Harry Kewell in my book is our best option out there. The only other spots are who should partner Kuyt - Crouch or Bellamy, i've a feeling we're going to see more of Crouch than Bellamy after the international break. Also maybe a bit of conflict between picking either Hyppia or Agger. But I think after some possible inconsitencies in defense we need to make a choice and stick with it. So for me Agger is the future and should be in the team now.

So thats my choices, what's everyone elses opinions?

on current form, thats exactly the same as id pick mate

[anfieldanfield]

Our strongest 11 is .......

-----------Crouch
--------------Kuyt
Garcia-----------------Gerrard
--------Alonso-Sissoko
Riise----Agger--Carra----Finnan
-------------Reina

[Red_Polo]

I've noticed a few people put this:

---------SISSOKO--------
GERRARD----------ALONSO

Rather than this:

----------ALONSO---------
GERRARD----------SISSOKO

Just reminded me of something I'd been thinking about. The latter formation is the one Rafa tends towards when playing those three. But we all know Xabi's the one more likely to do some damage in the opposition third, whilst Momo's passing is underwhelming. Is it more important to have Xabi deep to always be open for a pass and dictate the general play, or to have him further up the field where he can find himself in a position to do more damage with his passing?

Also, is Momo best used as he is now, providing an upfield defensive screen, or deeper where he can concentrate on ball-winning and leave the attacking third to others better capable there? He would have to be more static to maintain the best position, taking away a lot of what's so great about him. Plus can we depend on Momo to be the one dictating the play with his passing? If Agger plays would he be an alternative, coming out of the back line to play the ball? Not wise in a back four IMO.

Personally I agree with Rafa, I'd tend toward the former set-up. Having said that, I'd like to see Sissoko learn to play a more disciplined holding-role, so that he and SG would prove a good combination for when Xabi is unavailable or in poor form.

[Bob]

Deeper everytime. I can understand why he puts Alonso deeper - more of a pocket to pick a pass. However i'd like to see Momo sit there, break up play, and play a simple ball to allow the more technical Gerrard and Alonso use the ball more effectively.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Kuyt
Crouch

Sub one of Kuyt or Crouch for Garcia in europe.

[Morph]

Find it strange a lot of people have Gonzalez given he's only had one prem start, must have made an impression on some that he hasn't made on me yet.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Find it strange a lot of people have Gonzalez given he's only had one prem start, must have made an impression on some that he hasn't made on me yet.

He's scored twice and he's only played half the games that Bellamy has. Plus he's an out and out left winger, we've looked a lot more balanced in attack with him playing, and it means if he's in the team that Stevie isn't playing on the left, also good.

It would be good to see him get a run of games in the team as well. We've seen enough of Pennant and Bellamy to know they aint up to it. They should be binned and make way for Gonzalez to prove himself.

[Morph]

I was thinking more in favour for Aurelio than anyone else. he's shown he can cross well, a good dead ball specialist - somethink we lacked yesterday, and while he can't defend for buggery, he's good on the left side going forward.

But I agree he needs a run of games, just don't know if i'd play him, if we had a game tomorrow.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I was thinking more in favour for Aurelio than anyone else. he's shown he can cross well, a good dead ball specialist - somethink we lacked yesterday, and while he can't defend for buggery, he's good on the left side going forward.

But I agree he needs a run of games, just don't know if i'd play him, if we had a game tomorrow.

Yeah fair enough, either Aurelio or Gonzalez, both have promise and are actually suited to that position. Playing Stevie over there is doing my nut in and it unbalances the team. It's especially stupid when Pennants stinking the joint up on the right where Stevie is proven to effective.

[Bob]

Yeah fair enough, either Aurelio or Gonzalez, both have promise and are actually suited to that position. Playing Stevie over there is doing my nut in and it unbalances the team. It's especially stupid when Pennants stinking the joint up on the right where Stevie is proven to effective.

[Jayesh87]

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

Finnan-Carragher-Agger-Riise

------------Alonso------------
-------Gerrard---Sissoko------

Pennant----------------Gonzalez
-------------Kuyt-------------

[Red_Polo]

------------Reina----------
Finnan--Carra--Agger--Riise
Gerrard-Alonso-Sissoko-Garcia
--------Kuyt---Crouch-------

[Guest]

Every team that Rafa puts out is our strongest eleven.

[alunevans]

given the fact we still don't have any wide players i'd say this is probably our best eleven


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

--------------Carra---Agger--Hyppia-----------
Finnan---------------------------------------Riise


----------------Momo------Xabi-------------------
---------------------Gerrard------------------------


----------------Kuyt--------Crouch-------------------------