Flying Without Wings

Last updated : 24 June 2011 By Kieran Davies

The big question is what formation is Kenny going to mould this transformation with? With the signing of Jordan Henderson it seems the long term plan is for him to take the torch off Gerrard and I’ve no doubt he has the potential to try to style his game identically to our talisman’s. But in the short term, where will he play? Alongside Gerrard makes sense in learning the ropes but that leaves unbalance in the centre. Meireles proved his worth in that midfield last season and Lucas undoubtedly had his best season for the club. Without considering future purchases such as Adam or Silvestre, there are four players vying for two central midfield roles.

Against Tottenham at Anfield towards the end of the season, our recent form seemed to elude us but having been at the game I felt the difference between the two teams is that Spurs had wingers and we didn’t and they exposed that for the 90 mins. Johnson and ‘Flanno’ do get forward well and without the support of wingers who can get back can be left exposed or isolated. Playing players out of position is not a good enough answer for a team looking to get back into the top 4 or ultimately challenging for the title. Although Gerrard can play on the right, moving him anywhere from his central role means you lose aspects of his game. Is Henderson going to benefit playing as a winger when we want him to be a replacement for Gerrard? During the testing time of Roy Hodgson we also saw Meireles isn’t the same player out wide. Also Dirk Kuyt is showing his value now playing in a more attacking role with Suarez which is blossoming. So do we go out and buy wingers? This then throws up the dilemma that if we do play a formation with two wingers, you either play two central midfielders or lose a striker and play a midfield three.

To maximise the potential of £35m signing Andy Carroll, history suggests wingers are needed for the big man’s supply. Suarez has set Anfield alight with the way he’s adapted to the Premiership and it would be hard to want to see a Liverpool team line up without his inclusion in a starting line up. This suggests a 4-5-1 formation of any shape not being fit for purpose. When fit, Gerrard’s name is written on the teamsheet in indelible ink which means in a 4-4-2 line up, there is only one central midfield role up for grabs and with good form we would like see consistency not only in form but the personnel playing also. This means Lucas, Meireles, Henderson, Spearing, Shelvey and any other potential signings such as Adam or the like, not seeing as much game time and are they going to be content with that? Whilst things are extremely positive at the moment under NESV and Kenny it shows that even in even in positive times this long running debate about how Liverpool should be lining up rages on evermore. One thing’s for sure Kenny is the man who’s knowledge is relied upon to make this decision and it will not only be pivotal to Liverpool’s season, but player’s careers and his ultimate success as Anfield manager second time around. As difficult as he may find the choice he is sound in the knowledge that he has the full backing and trust of NESV, the players and the fans to be the right man to make that decision.