2012: The Ideal Path to #19

[BrooklynRed]

OK, I'll admit it; all of these good news stories and amazing performances having me buzzing about 2012 already. I know we have a match this weekend, but I cannot wait for the transfer market and the 2011-12 season to start. I have seen so many on here skeptical of our chances for a title next year... with good reason. We have not demonstrated that the club can sustain a season-long run of form and challenge for a title in several years (2nd place was a good year, but never felt inevitable). Assuming Chelsea, United, City and Arsenal are the true roadblocks to the title, and assuming they will all make some big moves this summer, I am wondering two things:

1. In the best of all worlds, with a healthy team, which players/formation do you see us fielding that would be a contender? Assuming we get a new LW, LB and CB (which seems to be the top of everyone's list), you can insert any targeted names into the line up (or simply say NEW CB). But give me a starting eleven that you think would challenge.

2. What LIKELY changes/mistakes by our rivals do you think will HELP US win?

I'm interested to hear opinions.

[Rudo]

I don't see any reason why we can't challenge for the League if we bring in the right players this summer.

Yes, United, City, Arse & Chelsea will all strengthen and that's obviously a worry, but all the signs are pointing to a busy summer at Anfield. If we don't bring in 4/5/6 top quality players then we can forget about challenging for a league title, and also the top 4.

It's hard to pin down a starting 11 as it can very easily change over the season depending on players form(lack of), injuries, suspensions etc.

I would say that Reina, Kelly, Lucas, Kuyt and Suarez should all be in the starting 11 on the opening day of next season based on their performances this season, and in particular the last few months.

[PTP]

righty ho -


1)

-----------------------------reina-------------------

kelly/johnson-----carra/srtkel---new CB/agger-------baines or cissokho


-----------------gerrard-----lucas----new centre mid

Suarez-----------------------------------------------young

---------------------------carroll--------------------


With options on the bench
Friedel
Aurelio
Meireles
Kuyt
Maxi
Another winger
A new striker
And the youngsters coming though - flannagan/robinson/spearing/shelvey etc


the two wide men just given the freedom to go 'roam', switch sides etc - gerrard attacking and pushing foward, lucas sitting, and the other midfielder to be in the mould of sissoko with a bit more technical ability going box to box - width from the full backs when needed, plenty of good cover and balance/options from the bench to change things when needed.


2) I'll start from the top.....

Man Utd - giggs, scholes, van der sar and ferguson to finally **** off and retire, struggle to find replacements etc, vidic and ferdninand to continue to struggle with injuries

Chelsea - Sack Ancellotti, sell drogba, sign a 'washed out' kaka and torres to continue struggling

Arsenal - sell fabregas, and continue to rely on talented but gutless players

Man City - sign too many top players for silly money, upsetting any team spirit and balance they have - tevez to have a hissy fit and leave

Spurs - continue their current form, sell bale, modric and van der vaart, sign some ****e and redknapp goes to England.

[The_weatherman]

Our current team plus two attacking additions, one centre back and left back, midfielder if possible. Those players replacing Konchesky, Poulsen, Aquilani, Jones, Jovanovic and Cole if possible.

I believe we'd be challenging for the title with that squad given all the incomings are of top quality.

City are facing problems IMO and I'm not sure the top, top players want to go there.

United also face some transition but Ferguson can't do anything wrong at the moment.

Chelsea the same as United, but we could use with Ancelotti leaving, resigning or sacked, some more instability for them would be delightful.

Arsenal will always bottle it so nevermind them

We need a bit of luck but a title challenge next season is possible IMO (also a battle for 4th), we have the greatest momentum, with United though, so we need to add quality and sustain it through next season.

[Rudo]

righty ho -


1)

-----------------------------reina-------------------

kelly/johnson-----carra/srtkel---new CB/agger-------baines or cissokho


-----------------gerrard-----lucas----new centre mid

Suarez-----------------------------------------------young

---------------------------carroll--------------------


With options on the bench
Friedel
Aurelio
Meireles
Kuyt
Maxi
Another winger
A new striker
And the youngsters coming though - flannagan/robinson/spearing/shelvey etc


the two wide men just given the freed to go 'roam', switch sides atc - gerrard attacking and pushing foward, lucas sitting, and the other midfielder to be in the mould of sissoko with a bit more technical ability going box to box - width from the full backs when needed, plenty of good cover and balance/options from the bench to change things when needed.


2) I'll start from the top.....

Man Utd - giggs, scholes, van der sar and ferguson to finally **** off and retire, struggle to find replacements etc, vidic and ferdninand to continue to struggle with injuries

Chelsea - Sack Ancellotti, sell drogba, sign a 'washed out' kaka and torres to continue struggling

Arsenal - sell fabregas, and continue to rely on talented but gutless players

Man City - sign too many top players for silly money, upsetting any team spirit and balance they have - tevez to have a hissy fit and leave

Spurs - continue their current form, sell baines, modric and van der vaart, sign some ****e and redknapp goes to England.

I like the look of that team, i'd love to see Baines in a Liverpool - really can't see it happening tho?

I think Carra might find himself rested more next season. In the big games he'll be the first name on the teamsheet but against the lesser sides i can see him sitting it out, wouldn't say he'd be too happy mind you

Overall, i think our main competition will come from our friends in Manchester(both teams).

[anfieldanfield]

righty ho -


1)

-----------------------------reina-------------------

kelly/johnson-----carra/srtkel---new CB/agger-------baines or cissokho


-----------------gerrard-----lucas----new centre mid

Suarez-----------------------------------------------young

---------------------------carroll--------------------


With options on the bench
Friedel
Aurelio
Meireles
Kuyt
Maxi
Another winger
A new striker
And the youngsters coming though - flannagan/robinson/spearing/shelvey etc


the two wide men just given the freedom to go 'roam', switch sides etc - gerrard attacking and pushing foward, lucas sitting, and the other midfielder to be in the mould of sissoko with a bit more technical ability going box to box - width from the full backs when needed, plenty of good cover and balance/options from the bench to change things when needed.

[anfieldanfield]

If we 'only' signed a left back, Cahill, M'Vila and Young, would everyone be happy enough ?

[Exiled_red]

I can see either a 4-3-3 similar to PTP's post above, or a 4-4-2 like this:

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

Johnson -- Carragher -- Agger* -- New LB

---------- Lucas ----- New CM ---------

---- Gerrard -------------------- New LW

------------ Suarez -- Carroll -----------


Subs:
Reserve Keeper
Kelly
New CB*/Agger or Skrtel
Spearing
Meireles
Maxi
Kuyt

+ the kids as back up: Flanagan, Robinson, Shelvey, Wilson, Pacheco etc

* Agger or New CB

I could imagine a 4-4-2 with an out and out winger on the left and Gerrard playing a narrow right sided role with a solid hard working defensive pairing in the centre of midfield (similar to the Lucas-Spearing system at the moment).

[anfieldanfield]

I don't think we'll play with two 'strikers' very often.

Far more likely to be Carroll as a main target man and Suarez, Gerrard & Kuyt/Young/Another running around him.

Then Lucas & a strong, box-to-box tackler.

[Exiled_red]

I don't think we'll play with two 'strikers' very often.

Far more likely to be Carroll as a main target man and Suarez, Gerrard & Kuyt/Young/Another running around him.

Then Lucas & a strong, box-to-box tackler.

In the 4-4-2 above one of the front 2 most likely Suarez would essentially have a free roll to drop deep or pull out wide right or wide left, (it's just difficult to illustrate that )

[anfieldanfield]

In the 4-4-2 above one of the front 2 most likely Suarez would essentially have a free roll to drop deep or pull out wide right or wide left, (it's just difficult to illustrate that )

[Mostar]

righty ho -


1)

-----------------------------reina-------------------

kelly/johnson-----carra/srtkel---new CB/agger-------baines or cissokho


-----------------gerrard-----lucas----new centre mid

Suarez-----------------------------------------------young

---------------------------carroll--------------------

Looks good. Not great but definitely improvement over what we have now.

Our current team plus two attacking additions, one centre back and left back, midfielder if possible.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts except I'd 3rd striker:

LB
CB
CM (playmaker type)
AM
"Winger"
Striker

[PTP]

If we 'only' signed a left back, Cahill, M'Vila and Young, would everyone be happy enough ?

yep i'd be happy with that...very happy - we'd improve the squad/first XI

We'd possibly be one winger/creative wide man and a striker short.....But in that case i'd give Joe Cole and Ngog another year to fight for their LFC careers and then look to improve on them be it in january or next summer

[Rudo]

yep i'd be happy with that...very happy - we'd improve the squad/first XI

We'd possibly be one winger/creative wide man and a striker short.....But in that case i'd give Joe Cole and Ngog another year to fight for their LFC careers and then look to improve on them be it in january or next summer

Be surprised if N'gog and Cole were still with us next season.
Maxi's recent form has put any prospect of Cole being given another season at Liverpool to bed.

[anfieldanfield]

yep i'd be happy with that...very happy - we'd improve the squad/first XI

We'd possibly be one winger/creative wide man and a striker short.....But in that case i'd give Joe Cole and Ngog another year to fight for their LFC careers and then look to improve on them be it in january or next summer

Yep.

I think we'd all prefer (and I reckon Kenny agrees with us) 3 or 4 players of genuine class, rather than 6 or 7 to paper over the cracks.

For example if we signed three brilliant players but had no left back I wouldn't be too upset. We know Johnson, Flanagan, Aurelio etc can play there.

Young, Cahill and M'vila would be make us a much better side. Obv I've never actually seen M'Vila play but I'm assuming he's boss