What Is Your Preferred First XI?

[Muddled]

The Manquillo and Can selections cause my mind a mischief.

We're removing experienced international footballers (or ex in the case of Gerrard) to field two players that have played less than 60 games of first team football. Yes, they may have potential, but that's all it is. As new acquisitions, they're going to need time to get accustomed to the league, our style of play, etc. If we're going to challenge this year and retain our top four spot, we're going to need the likes of Johnson and Gerrard playing week in, week out.

[G]

I can't be doing with Gerrard playing where he does so I'd like him forward away from causing us possible mischief at the back. But where to put him is the issue. Last season it was easier cos we lacked depth but now we've loads of options up there.

[kev776]

--------------Mig

Flanno--Lovren--Sakho--Moreno

-------------Allen

-Henderson---------Lallana

------------Sterling

---Madmario------Sturrige

[Lee]

-------------Mignolet
Johnson Lovren Agger Moreno
--Henderson Gerrard Lallana
--------Coutinho Sterling
-------------Sturridge

Johnson is in by virtue of the fact I've only seen Manquillo play twice.

Balotelli should probably start, and there's a case for Allen too. Sakho deserves some game time. Then of course we have Markovic, Can and Suso.



Squad depth.

[kev776]

Carling cup


-----------------Jones

Manquillo--Skittle--Agger--Johnson

--------Gerrard------Can

---Marcovic--Coutinho--Enrique

-------------Lambert

[Red_Polo]

-------------Mignolet
Johnson Lovren Agger Moreno
--Henderson Gerrard Lallana
--------Coutinho Sterling
-------------Sturridge

Johnson is in by virtue of the fact I've only seen Manquillo play twice.

Balotelli should probably start, and there's a case for Allen too. Sakho deserves some game time. Then of course we have Markovic, Can and Suso.



Squad depth.

Good old Christmas tree formation

[brightred]

Its amazing how many people rate our new right back based on a friendly against Dortmund and a home game against the mighty Saints. He looks promising yes, but fitness prevailing Flanno did more than enough last year to get in the side on merit.

[brightred]

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works.

Does Stevie start in our best possible team?

[-V-]

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works.

Does Stevie start in our best possible team?

Absolutely. Our only natural leader in the team, best passer, best player to create chances from deep, best set piece taker, best player to have when you want to release a quick counter attack, best organizer....... list goes on

Dropping him would be mental

[Hemingway]

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works.

Does Stevie start in our best possible team?

Yes.

I think people in general have been reading way too much into a mildly disappointing performance away to the best side in the league. We were hardly abject - we created more chances and were better for large periods of the first half, but an error gave them a goal and then we had to chase the game. It's disappointing and there's work to be done, but that kind of thing happens. I don't see any structural problem worth dropping Gerrard or rethinking the side over, at least not on that game.

[REDSCOUSER]

Based on this squad of ours and the many option we have I would go with.

Mignolet(no other option really unless we sign a good keeper to compete)

Moreno-Lovern-Sakho-Manquillo

Gerrard-Can-Henderson

Sterling-Sturridge-Balloteli

The front 3 was tough because I like Markovic and thought he did very well coming off the bench at Citeh.

I like Can as a player. He is strong, skillful and got that physical presence in midfield we've been missing for years.

[frank the tank]

Based on this squad of ours and the many option we have I would go with.

Mignolet(no other option really unless we sign a good keeper to compete)

Moreno-Lovern-Sakho-Manquillo

Gerrard-Can-Henderson

Sterling-Sturridge-Balloteli

The front 3 was tough because I like Markovic and thought he did very well coming off the bench at Citeh.

I like Can as a player. He is strong, skillful and got that physical presence in midfield we've been missing for years.

Crazy ****.... Moreno at right back and Manquillo at left!!

[Darkon]

From the current squad:

Mignolet

Johnson Lovren Agger Moreno

Gerrard

Henderson Coutinho

Sterling

Balotelli Sturridge

With Markovic perhaps being the joker. Lallana could make his way, but I think the Coutinho/Henderson partnership have shown to be very good.

Agger I know is not realistic, but if he slots out I would move in Sakho.

Amazed at how many are willing to drop Coutinho for Lallana, based on 0 appearences for us Coutinho have proved to be a vital link up player numerous times!

[danperkins]

-------------Mignolet-----------------
Flanagan--Skrtel--Lovren---Moreno
-----Henderson -----Allen-----------
-------------Gerrard-----------------
------Coutinho-------Sterling---------
-------------Sturridge----------------

or

-------------Mignolet----------------
Flanagan--Skrtel--Lovren--Moreno
-------Henderson--Allen----------
------Sterling----------Lallana
---------Sturridge-Balotelli-------

or

-------------Mignolet-----------------
Flanagan --Skrtel-- Lovren--- Moreno
-------Henderson----Allen-----------
-----------Coutinho------------------
-----------------Sterling-----------------
--------Sturridge---Balotelli----------------

or

-------------Mignolet----------------
Flanagan--Skrtel--Lovren--Moreno
-------Henderson--Lallana----------
------Sterling----------Markovic
---------Sturridge-Balotelli-------

[The_weatherman]

I can't be doing with Gerrard playing where he does so I'd like him forward away from causing us possible mischief at the back. But where to put him is the issue. Last season it was easier cos we lacked depth but now we've loads of options up there.

It's a dilemma, but I'd like to see the team without him for a game or two and see how it's plays out. Sub him on in the last 30 or so.