Our strongest line-up?

[SB]

Reina

Johnson Carra Agger Enrique

Lucas Adam

Kuyt Gerrard Downing

Suarez

[The_weatherman]

I would like to see Gerrard back in the role he striked up a good relationship with Torres. I get the feeling both him and Suarez could form a devastating partnership.

I really hate to believe this, but I fear that the type of relationship that Gerrard and Torres had for two seasons is one that cannot be replicated. Suarez is also a different type of player. Torres needed Gerrard to excel because he needed his service.

Gerrard had a good footballing relationship with Owen before he ****ed off aswell, good players can click

I wonder if Torres was more reliant on Gerrard than we thought, maybe Gerrard is not being given enough credit for Owen's and Torres' exploits, "I would bet my life" on it that no other player has had a hand in more goals for these two.

Oh, regarding the OP question. I can probably figure out the back five but I'm having problems with the rest.

Reina
Kelly/Johnson - Oh, bugger...

[DannyMan2006]

When we last won the league the ability of the starting XI was rightly the main focus. They played every league and cup game when fit and that was that.

But in modern day football it is all about the overall ability of the squad. Case in point was the Manc v Arsenal game. Man Utd had just about as many players missing as Arsenal, but the depth of their squad meant they crushed a weakened Arsenal with ease.

There have been a few seasons in the past where I would have said the best XI of Liverpool is as good as our rivals. But a couple of injuries and our level would drop dramatically.

This is the first season in modern times where I can think we have a good chance of coping with the loss of players that always happens over the course of the season.

In fact, I would go as far to say that if Andy Carroll finds his feet and fits into our system, we have a really good chance of putting up a strong challenge for the title.

[Mattshark]

Reina

Johnson Carra Agger Enrique

Lucas Adam

Kuyt Gerrard Downing

Suarez

[Neil Young]

My only concern with 4-2-3-1 is where Kempinski will fit in when we sign him.

[Cormack74]

I wonder if Torres was more reliant on Gerrard than we thought, maybe Gerrard is not being given enough credit for Owen's and Torres' exploits, "I would bet my life" on it that no other player has had a hand in more goals for these two.

I've always wondered the same, but really don't have the time to see if the stats back up the claim. It's probably a job for Tomkins

[The_weatherman]

My only concern with 4-2-3-1 is where Kempinski will fit in when we sign him.

Sadly I think he's nailed on for United.

[The_weatherman]

I've always wondered the same, but really don't have the time to see if the stats back up the claim. It's probably a job for Tomkins

Sounds like a bit of work

[Daniel 7]

I wonder if Torres was more reliant on Gerrard than we thought, maybe Gerrard is not being given enough credit for Owen's and Torres' exploits, "I would bet my life" on it that no other player has had a hand in more goals for these two.

Oh, regarding the OP question. I can probably figure out the back five but I'm having problems with the rest.

Reina
Kelly/Johnson - Oh, bugger...

Absolutely 100% correct. Gerrard was the best second striker in europe for nearly two seasons, and the one of the best attacking midfielders before that. He used to play that bending ball for Owen to run on to quite a lot, and I noticed him using the same tactic for Torres frequently, aimed to make use of the pace and finishing both had.

[Neil Young]

Sadly I think he's nailed on for United.

[The_weatherman]

Absolutely 100% correct. Gerrard was the best second striker in europe for nearly two seasons, and the one of the best attacking midfielders before that. He used to play that bending ball for Owen to run on to quite a lot, and I noticed him using the same tactic for Torres frequently, aimed to make use of the pace and finishing both had.

Remember those balls well, he had a knack of playing great balls on the grass into space that strikers could run onto. Will be exciting to see him and Suarez together, although Suarez is not quite as direct as Owen and Torres.

[Neil Young]

Absolutely 100% correct. Gerrard was the best second striker in europe for nearly two seasons, and the one of the best attacking midfielders before that. He used to play that bending ball for Owen to run on to quite a lot, and I noticed him using the same tactic for Torres frequently, aimed to make use of the pace and finishing both had.

Yes, although my guess would be that Torres did pretty well even when Gerrard wasn't playing. Perhaps that's not true or the instances where Torres played and Gerrard didn't are too few to form enough data.

But if it is true then maybe we also aren't giving credit to the manager.




Whoops, one Rafa debate is more than enough for one day.

[The_weatherman]

Yes, although my guess would be that Torres did pretty well even when Gerrard wasn't playing. Perhaps that's not true or the instances where Torres played and Gerrard didn't are too few to form enough data.

But if it is true then maybe we also aren't giving credit to the manager.




Whoops, one Rafa debate is more than enough for one day.

Ah, actually you may have a point there, not debating Rafa specially but he did make the team play a certain way that really did benefit Torres. Still at the end of the day, circumstances at Liverpool, manager and teammates very likely suited Torres to an inch.

[Lee]

Something like this for me, but I'm struggling with the formation up top by fitting Kut, Gerrard, Maxi and Downing into the same team.

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

Johnson Carragher Agger Enrique

-----------Lucas

------Kuyt Gerrard Downing

---------Maxi

--------------Suarez


Subs:

Doni
Adam
Kelly
Skrtel
Bellamy
Aurelio
Carroll

[Mattshark]

Something like this for me, but I'm struggling with the formation up top by fitting Kut, Gerrard, Maxi and Downing into the same team.

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

Johnson Carragher Agger Enrique

-----------Lucas

------Kuyt Gerrard Downing

---------Maxi

--------------Suarez


Subs:

Doni
Adam
Kelly
Skrtel
Bellamy
Aurelio
Carroll

I like to see that team play!