Your first choice XI without Sturridge

[Shaggy]

4-3-3

-------------Mignolet------------

Clyne-----Skrtel-----Sakho-----Moreno------

---------Milner-----Henderson-----------------

--------------Coutinho--------------------------

Lallana--------Benteke----------Firmino---------


Subs: Boggy, Lovren, Lucas, Can, Markovic, Ibe, Ings

[Exiled_red]

4-3-3

-------------Mignolet------------

Clyne-----Skrtel-----Sakho-----Moreno------

---------Milner-----Henderson-----------------

--------------Coutinho--------------------------

Lallana--------Benteke----------Firmino---------


Subs: Boggy, Lovren, Lucas, Can, Markovic, Ibe, Ings

That is the team that I see as our best 11 players on the pitch, my concern is about how solid a midfield two of Milner and Henderson would be. I can't see either being left out, so the remedy would be to leave one of Coutinho, Lallana or Firmino out for Can or Lucas, but that seemingly shifts the dynamic from a very attacking side to a quite defensive one.

[EwarWoo]

One thing all of these picks have in common is they include 3-5 new players. In the first team.

So it appears the transfer committee may know what they're doing unless it goes to **** then everyone will get hindsight

[Exiled_red]

One thing all of these picks have in common is they include 3-5 new players. In the first team.

So it appears the transfer committee may know what they're doing unless it goes to **** then everyone will get hindsight

I think that they knew this summer we had to bring in players who will improve the first 11. I guess we tried to do that last summer as well but it just didn't work out as we didn't think Balotelli and Lovren would be as bad as they were. Hopefully we won't have those types of problems again.

It does seem at least that things have been a little more planned this year - we have done our business early, there may be a little more to come but we have sorted the main areas and given most players the opportunity of a decent pre-season rather than scrambling around somewhat at the end of the window.

[Shaggy]

That is the team that I see as our best 11 players on the pitch, my concern is about how solid a midfield two of Milner and Henderson would be. I can't see either being left out, so the remedy would be to leave one of Coutinho, Lallana or Firmino out for Can or Lucas, but that seemingly shifts the dynamic from a very attacking side to a quite defensive one.

Yep. It's a real headache (but, obviously, to use the cliché, it's a nice one to have).

I want Can in my team but can't get him in. Of course he'll get his games but trying to settle on a strongest XI is very difficult. I think Coutinho will mostly be the most advanced of the 3 midfield players (Pearce has alluded to this in the Echo, when he also said Sakho and Skrtel will be the first choice CBs), with a front 3 ahead of him. We have so many options though - shift Coutinho into the front positions and bring in Can (a Henderson, Milner, Can middle 3 is quite mouth-watering in terms of the all round packages they all bring).

It's also very difficult squeezing Ibe into the side (less of a problem given his age and stage of development), and likewise Markovic (more of a problem given we spent £20m on him and he really needs to play to develop).

[baitman]

why has nobody got lovren as a starter

and how long till we hear the song 'we all dream of a team of danny ings'

[Phoenix07]

-------------------Mignolet-------------------

Clyne--------Skrtel--------Sakho---------Moreno

----------------------Can-----------------------------

-------------Henderson---Milner---------------------

--------------------Coutinho-------------------------

---------------Benteke-----Firmino-------------------


I think James Pearce was just stating his opinion. The German U21 coach said Can will play in Gerrard's position. I just think a diamond will take advantage of our best players and their qualities.

[Lee]

I think that Firmino wil be eased into the side so we will probably start with something like this:

Mignolet

Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno

Henderson Can Milner

Lallana Benteke Coutinho

I haven't seen Firmino play so it's dificult to include him. Agree with your suggestion but either Can or Lucas in the middle would be my choice - not much in it.

Nice to have options.

[Shaggy]

-------------------Mignolet-------------------

Clyne--------Skrtel--------Sakho---------Moreno

----------------------Can-----------------------------

-------------Henderson---Milner---------------------

--------------------Coutinho-------------------------

---------------Benteke-----Firmino-------------------


I think James Pearce was just stating his opinion. The German U21 coach said Can will play in Gerrard's position. I just think a diamond will take advantage of our best players and their qualities.

My own personal preference - I think - would be the diamond too, and that line-up looks very strong to me. But I'm going on what I think will be the formation of choice for this season, 4-3-3.

[Pablo]

I think Lucas gets nowhere near the first XI at present. That pairing of Henderson and Milner will be a major part of our spine this season IMO.

[Alex]

I dont think we will line up with a specialist DM this season as much as before. Just a hunch, but we haven't brought a DM for a few years now. Can isnt even really a DM. More of a destructive CM.

So Milner and Henderson with Coutinho just in front works for me. With Milner and Henderson alternating with Can later in games or cup games.

[Exiled_red]

Yep. It's a real headache (but, obviously, to use the cliché, it's a nice one to have).

I want Can in my team but can't get him in. Of course he'll get his games but trying to settle on a strongest XI is very difficult. I think Coutinho will mostly be the most advanced of the 3 midfield players (Pearce has alluded to this in the Echo, when he also said Sakho and Skrtel will be the first choice CBs), with a front 3 ahead of him. We have so many options though - shift Coutinho into the front positions and bring in Can (a Henderson, Milner, Can middle 3 is quite mouth-watering in terms of the all round packages they all bring).

It's also very difficult squeezing Ibe into the side (less of a problem given his age and stage of development), and likewise Markovic (more of a problem given we spent £20m on him and he really needs to play to develop).

Like I say the team that you posted is the one I would consider the strongest 11 but with the squad we have I imagine that Rodgers will probably be employing squad rotation a fair bit, with a horses for courses type approach. I can see can see one of Lallana or Firmino being sacrificed for a Can or Lucas in many of the tough away games we have at the start of the season.

I think Firmino could be eased into the side early in the season, similarly I think Ibe could start games were the opposition are vulnerable to pace, but I imagine primarily he will be coming off the bench and could be a very useful option against tiring legs. I think that there will be plenty of opportunities as Lallana wasn't playing a full 90 even at Southampton IIRC and when Firmino is starting I think the pace and physical nature of the league might mean than he often won't complete a full 90 in the first half of the season.

The thing I have no idea about is what happens when Sturridge is fit where does he fit into a 4-3-3 That is a few months away but still.

[Alex]

Emre Can is going to be plagued with the Utility Man label for a couple of years IMO, similar to Carra in his early years. Shunted all over the team to plug holes and make do.

Its a shame because hes a great player. But he suffers from being a bit of an all rounder.

[Pablo]

Milner, Henderson, Can and Allen have all got so much energy and should cover enough ground to not warrant a DM.

No doubt Lucas will be drafted in though when Stoke inevitably bang another six goals past us

[Shaggy]

I dont think we will line up with a specialist DM this season as much as before. Just a hunch, but we haven't brought a DM for a few years now. Can isnt even really a DM. More of a destructive CM.

So Milner and Henderson with Coutinho just in front works for me. With Milner and Henderson alternating with Can later in games or cup games.

Brendan has spent about £300m since joining us and I don't think he's signed a single specialist DM.

Godgers doesn't give a **** about that ****