Results-wise, shipping a total of 15 goals in their first five friendlies (including surprisingly heavy defeats at Hull and Galatasaray) didn't look good. But a reasonably convincing 2-0 victory over Valencia at Anfield on Saturday helped restore fans' confidence, especially with regards to the prospects of new signing Stewart Downing and talismanic centre-forward Andy Carroll.
Kenny Dalglish has also been able to utilise a great number of players (35 in total), in a variety of different positions. But Luis Suarez, the immensely talented Uruguayan forward who helped boost Liverpool's performances after his arrival midway through last season, has only just returned from the Copa America (which he won by the way).
Steven Gerrard, too, the ever-vital club captain, has been sidelined with an uncomfortable-sounding "groin infection." Raul Meireles, Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel have also carried injuries through some of pre-season, so it's fair to say that Dalglish will not have had time to settle on a preferred starting line-up.
All of this makes it very difficult for a humble tactical preview to make any meaningful predictions about how Liverpool might line-up next season. Indeed, it is questionable whether the hallowed "First Eleven" even really exists any more in this age of large squads and regular rotation, especially with a manager with a penchant for tactical tinkering according to the opposition's strengths and weaknesses.
This should be interpreted as a good thing! The fact that the first-choice XI is so difficult to pick, in terms of either personnel, team-shape or strategy, just means that it will be significantly harder for opposing teams preparing to face the Reds. It also points to a healthy squad-depth which Liverpool have lacked for years. It doesn't make your humble tactical-previewer's job any easier though.
That doesn't mean it's not worth trying, of course. Here's the first-team I expect Dalglish would generally select if he had a full squad to choose from, and a suggestion of the rough tactical shape he will likely plump for:
Glen Johnson has probably shown that he is the best option at left-back, though Aurelio can be excellent when fit, and young Jack Robinson's reputation continues to rise amongst the Liverpool coaching staff. Martin Kelly always looks immensely impressive at right-back, both defensively and in an attacking sense, whenever he plays.
Although Skrtel played every minute of every Premier League game last season, he has finally succumbed to injury and it seems that only a (likely) injury to Agger would allow him to reclaim his permanent place. The Dane's attributes of skill on the ball and positional intelligence are vital in the modern game, and Carragher, with all his experience and determination, is still an important part of the first team.
Lucas ought to be an ever-present as the only world-class out-and-out holding player, and Downing is showing signs that he'll make the left-midfield position his own. Gerrard, one of the best British players of the last ten years, should still feature in every Liverpool team when fit, and Dirk Kuyt's inimitable industry is still more-or-less irreplaceable, especially for big-games (although a more elegant midfielder such as Aquilani, Henderson or Adam might be preferred against weaker opposition).
The expensively-assembled front-pairing have enough quality and variety to scare any defensive line, though Liverpool fans will be hoping they can strike up an effective partnership, having been denied much playing time together since they both joined in January.
Fluidity, Versatility, Asymmetry
The rough 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 shape seems to get the best out of the individuals at Dalglish's disposal, and it is a shape which should be familiar to those who watched the pre-season friendlies. It was especially instructive to see Aquilani playing just behind Carroll, being encouraged further forward than he would naturally tend, presumably to allow other players to get to grips with the formation.
But don't expect any of the Hodgson-style 4-4-2 football of early last season. The key terms are "fluidity," "versatility," and "pass-and-move." Many of Liverpool's attacking options are capable of playing in a variety of different roles and, if the latter part of last season is any guide to go by, tactical flexibility and swift interchange of positions will be an integral part of Dalglish's attacking strategy.
It can't be denied, though, that teams with just two central midfielders often struggle to control possession against teams fielding three or even four. Expect reasonably direct, quick football, with an emphasis on getting the ball to danger areas swiftly and efficiently. That doesn't mean that long-balls to Carroll will be common (though Carragher in particular tends to panic and hoof it long when not provided with an opportunity to pass simply into midfield). Getting the ball to the feet of Downing, Gerrard, and especially Suarez will remain Liverpool's most effective attacking strategy.
It would also be extremely surprising if we didn't see 4-5-1/4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formations in use, especially with such a variety of versatile midfielders to choose from. Remember one of Liverpool's best attacking performances last season was against Fulham at Craven Cottage (http://crowdgobananes.blogspot.com/2011/05/fulham-2-5-liverpool.html), when Luis Suarez played as a lone "false nine" forward, dropping deep and wide to leave space for midfielder runners (Maxi, Meireles and Kuyt) to exploit with aplomb. In that sense, it should come as no great shock if Carroll sits out the odd game on a bench for the sake of tactical efficacy.
Also, recall Liverpool's impressive defensive performance at Stamford Bridge (vs. Torres' Chelsea) last season with a three-man backline. Expect Dalglish to use whichever tactical shape and combination of personnel he feels suits the occasion.
One of the key tactical trends of this season might be formalised asymmetry in team-shape, and Dalglish could be one of the pioneers. His FA Cup-winning Liverpool side of 1986 was decidedly lop-sided, and with a number of the current side (Gerrard, Adam, Meireles, Henderson) capable of playing as "narrow-wingers" or "wide-central-midfielders," it is possible that Dalglish will once again use the asymmetry and fluidity that he had previously enjoyed success with.
Such a system would allow Suarez and Carroll to form a close partnership, while simultaneously maintaining attacking width. With an ostensible midfield-three, it would also help the team to keep possession and defensive solidity. It does, however, place a heavy attacking and defensive burden on the exposed full-back (in the case of the above diagram, Glen Johnson).
Abundance in Midfield
A busy Summer of "ins" but not enough "outs" has left Dalglish's squad perhaps over-blessed with central-midfield talent, and it will be interesting to see how the pack is shuffled to fit specific situations. Likely reserve Christian Poulsen aside, and also discounting youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Conor Coady, Liverpool have eight top-level players (Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Charlie Adam, Alberto Aquilani, Raul Meireles, Jay Spearing, Jordan Henderson) competing for just two or three starting places, so its worth looking briefly at the roles they're likely to play in the squad, and the unique characteristics of each.
Spearing is a worthy, increasingly Mascherano-esque understudy to last season's player of the year (Lucas Leiva), and Jordan Henderson seems to have been earmarked as a long-term replacement for Steven Gerrard in the energetic, midfield all-rounder role, so perhaps neither should expect too much first-team football in the short-term. The Mackem youngster has a sweet right-footed cross in his arsenal and could certainly provide balance on the wing. His passing is excellent and although some of his tackling skills still leave much to be desired, he is industrious and dilligent in his closing down and positional discipline.
Alberto Aquilani and Raul Meireles have been attracting interest, primarily from Italian clubs, but it looks increasingly likely that both will stay. The latter impressed last season with his ability to apply himself in a variety of positions but may become frustrated if he finds his first-team opportunities restricted. Aquilani, the graceful Italian playmaker who spent last season on loan with Juventus, looked set to leave Anfield for good, but perhaps his elegance of technique and intelligent passing ability has earnt him a place in the manager's thoughts (though he will probably still be on his way out if a generous buyer can be found).
Charlie Adam seems to be a personal favourite of Dalglish, and he has shown flashes of quality in pre-season. His new role will surely be different from when he was the glamour-passing key-man in Blackpool's side, as he might be encouraged to play a simpler passing game and also put in more of a defensive shift. His ability to distribute the ball effectively from the centre of the pitch and from set-pieces could still prove important to Liverpool's season, but he will need to prove that his defensive concentration and discipline is up to scratch if he is to be truly effective in the first team.
And the development of Steven Gerrard's tactical role will be interesting to observe this season. Many of us still pine for the Captain Fantastic whose uncontainable pace and power tore defences apart (in tandem with Fernando Torres) most effectively in 2008/09. It remains to be seen whether he can ever reach those heights again, and Paul Tomkins has written of the worry that he may be in a process of "melting." (http://tomkinstimes.com/2011/03/steven-gerrard-is-melting/) But he remains a superbly well-rounded and impressive footballer, and if he has lost the physical attributes necessary to be effective in an advanced position, he should be able to slip back into a deeper role where he can influence proceedings from central midfield. His excellent long-range shooting and ability to time his runs might help him to maintain an impressive goal-tally, too.