The Champions League departure at the hands of Basel on December the 9th proved to be the final straw for Brendan Rodgers; something had to change. It did. Rodgers took a risk by playing a 3-4-2-1 formation at Old Trafford. Thumped by United; despite an alright performance.
In 24 games since then, 36 goals have been scored – which in comparison to the majority of last season is not a massive amount. The lack of goals has no doubt been impacted by the attempt to strengthen the before, questionable defence. In the same amount of time, there have been 17 goals against the Reds. This is undoubtedly Rodgers’ best defensive form since taking charge at Anfield. It finally appears that he has sorted out the defence. This has come with sacrificing some of the attacking prowess that we saw through so much of last season – in the most entertaining season I’ve witnessed as a Liverpool fan.
Referring back to our fantastic season last campaign – Christmas onwards was when Liverpool really kicked on last season; destroying the likes of Everton, Arsenal and United; 4-0, 5-1 and 3-0, respectively.
In the first two of these games (Everton and Arsenal), Liverpool played with a 4-3-3 formation with the two strikers (Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez) constantly interchanging between the centre and the left hand side. Raheem Sterling was the right forward in this formation and it was brilliant. Philippe Coutinho would play in a deep position in the midfield three; something we haven’t seen often this season. He was fantastic there – probably the best I’ve seen him play in a Liverpool shirt. A new formation was deployed at Old Trafford – the 4-4-2 diamond. This also allowed Coutinho to play in a deeper midfield role with Raheem Sterling at the tip of the diamond. It has also been used by England and Raheem Sterling seems to excel in the centre behind two strikers – as we saw against Lithuania not so long ago. Sterling is being wasted playing as a right wing-back at the moment. Obviously a matter of opinion, but I believe he’s our best player, he has to play further forward, though.
What Does Rodgers Do Next?
The 4-4-2 diamond is my favourite formation I’ve seen Rodgers use in his managerial days at Liverpool. It was even used earlier in the season before the Daniel Sturridge injury against Tottenham.
The midfield is so important to this and I believe the personnel we possess makes this formation ideal. Joe Allen, either side of the defensive midfielder is a fantastic option to have. His energy, intricacy and overall game intelligence makes him a great player to have. However, I’d pick Coutinho and Henderson for the wider midfield roles. Coutinho’s intelligence and flair is so key to this and having someone who can influence the game as much as he can surging forward from midfield will scare defences.
Henderson is important to any system we play nowadays. In this formation; it allows him to be a complete box-to-box midfielder, although he always has to be wary of how far advanced Coutinho is before making his move. Lucas Leiva or Steven Gerrard (when he returns from his ban) could occupy the defensive midfield role. Gerrard was the man there last season and did well. It allowed him to dictate the play from a deeper role and pick out the never-ending runs of the more offensive men.
Lucas is more solid defensively than Gerrard, but his ability to control the game should never be understated. His ability to always find a positive, forward ball in the 3-4-2-1 formation made him a key figure in the side. Raheem Sterling would be the most attacking of the midfield four, just behind the two strikers. Sterling can pick the ball up in a central pocket and run at defenders and occupy them whilst the two in front of him move around. This will consequently drag a defender towards Sterling, who has the ball, whilst Sturridge, for example, makes a run in behind.
Even if Sterling doesn’t pick out Sturridge that time, Sturridge’s run has more than likely made a mass amount of space that Sterling could run into. Sterling’s goal against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-final; despite him playing centre forward – that’s the sort of area I’m talking about. He dropped deep and his pace allowed him to turn Matic (probably the best defensive midfielder in the league) and his pace will allow him to turn anyone if his touch is right.
This then gives him a one-on-one with one, or two, of the centre backs. Again, his pace and dribbling and his game intelligence will cause whatever defence he’s up against all sorts of problems. Someone’s man-marking him? Fine, give it to Coutinho.
Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli is what I’d try to start with for the two strikers in this formation. Balotelli’s presence is always a massive distraction to defenders; yet alone Sturridge’s movement. If one of them isn’t available for whatever reason; move Sterling forward and push Coutinho into the most advanced midfield role and bring Joe Allen in.
Essentially a flat three in midfield when going forward, with the man on the ball (usually the tip of the diamond occupier, in this case Coutinho) looking around at his options. Full-backs push forward so it gives the side much needed width, especially against the more defensive teams. The two strikers are allowed to free roam in and around the defenders to make gaps for each other to work with. Henderson and Allen, who are circled, run past Coutinho to try and give him the option of a run in behind.
Defenders – Emre Can as the right-back (big call, I know), Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho as the centre backs and Alberto Moreno as the left-back. The reason for Can as right-back is so that we can change to the 3-4-2-1 in game, whenever necessary. Can is essentially playing right back in the three at the back formation being played currently with how wide he is.
The remarkably improved defensive record is obviously down to the three at the back. Start with the diamond in game and try to get a lead (easier said than done) and if it needs protecting – revert to the three at the back. I’m not saying because we’ve gone to the 3-4-2-1 (or perhaps 3-4-1-2) that it’s guaranteed to be a clean sheet – but I’ll say it increases our chances a lot.
This would involve pushing Moreno into the left wing-back spot, Can to right centre-back, Skrtel in the middle and Sakho on the left; as we’ve seen work so well recently. Then a striker (probably Balotelli) could be sacrificed and someone who can play right wing-back (Ibe, Markovic, Manquillo, Lallana etc.) could come on to fill that position. This would then leave Coutinho and Sterling behind Sturridge, allowing the attacking threat to still be there. Or, perhaps, Rodgers wants to flip the attacking triangle around and play with a 2 up top. This would mean Sterling moving to right wing-back and Coutinho being behind Sturridge and Balotelli.
I’d do this but it’s ultimately down to the manager. The majority of the players have a thorough understanding of these two formations and I think the switching during a game could prove to be a masterstroke by Rodgers. It also gives us an element of surprise. Managers of other teams will be debating which formation Rodgers is going to go with.
