Weekend Guest Post: Friendlies and Formations

By: Ed | July 23rd, 2011

lfcxi

**This week’s guest post comes from Joel, who’s a regular around here and contributed a post earlier in the summer. Written before yesterday’s loss at Hull City, he dissects the tactics used in the first two friendlies and what we’re likely to see going forward. You can get in touch with Joel on Twitter or through us at liverpooloffside@hotmail.com.**

With two friendlies under the belt, we’ve been able to get a glimpse into how Liverpool will set up during the coming season. And with a few moves in the transfer market complete and others yet to be completed, the personnel picture is beginning to resolve itself. So, it seems like a perfect time for the perennial off-season favorite: armchair managing! In this weekend’s edition, let’s take a look at what formations we’ve seen from the friendlies and which we may see in the upcoming season.

4-3-2-1

During the first half of both of the friendlies, we saw a dynamic, movement-oriented three man inverted triangle in the center of midfield. Agains Guangdong, Poulsen, Spearing, and Shelvey played together, nominally set up with Poulsen sitting deeper than Spearing and Shelvey. While Poulsen was generally the deeper player, both Spearing and Shelvey dropped to the point of the triangle to bring the ball out of defense with Poulsen cycling forward when they did so. This created a midfield group which looked to fill spaces and use short, slick passing to move the ball up the pitch. Shelvey appeared to be the dominant player in this grouping, with the other two primarily allowing Shelvey to take the initiative and providing support as needed.

Against the Malaysia XI, we saw the same style of midfield, but with Coady playing the deeper role behind Adam and Spearing. In this grouping, Adam took was the dominant player, playing on the left point of the triangle, as Shelvey did against Guangdong. Pass and move was again the name of the game, albeit with a good infusion of Charlie Adam long range passing. Adam looked to dictate play up and down the pitch, with Spearing providing close support and Coady sitting deeper while providing occasional runs forward.

Looking at the specific roles, we see that there is not really the traditional destroyer-passer-creator midfield trident. Rather, Dalglish’s midfield three is a much more fluid system, with each player expected to take parts of destroyer, passer, and creator into their play. The roles in this system appear to be more positionally-based rather than duties, with one player acting as the dominant force, one player providing support in the 5-10 yard area and the other providing support in the 10-20 yard area. Notably, the player providing the close support moves ahead of the dominant midfielder much more regularly than the deeper support player, who rarely makes forward runs and generally only in situations where he has moved forward in the formation due to another player dropping deeper.

Thus, it appears that this formation is less like a traditional 4-3-3 midfield and is in fact a more fluid variation on a 4-2-3-1. Rather than an advanced playmaker in a free role ahead of a double pivot partnership, we have one player tasked with dictating the game and the other two providing varying degrees of support. The main difference is that each player has a less distinct role and each player has some balance of defensive and offensive responsibilities. Rather than simply looking for space when the team is without the ball (as in a traditional trequartista role), the dominant player looks to retain the midfield’s shape in defense, with all three players working as a unit to defend in front of the back four.

Ahead of the three man midfield unit, we saw two attacking midfielders/wingers. The roles of these players in this formation functioned as a hybrid of the wide players in a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1. While looking to provide width on the defensive back line when necessary, they also drifted infield to link up play and dropped back in defense to provide cover for the fullbacks. These roles fit in with the fluid concept behind the three man midfield unit, as all five players will look to fill space to move the ball forward, with the weak side attacking mid pushing wide to open gaps in the defense.

4-2-3-1

In the second half of each of the friendlies, we saw a slightly different style of play from the central midfield area. Against Guangdong, it was Aquilani, Coady, and Adam, while against Malaysia, it was Aquilani, Shelvey, and Poulsen. Being the common denominator between the two games, Aquilani also took the dominant role in this formation. This formation was essentially the traditional double pivot behind and trequartista ahead. Both deeper midfielders looked primarily to hold position in front of the defense with noticeably more attacking impetus from the fullbacks. Aquilani was without a doubt the primary creative axis in this formation as the ball was rarely moved from defense to attack without a few slick touches from the Italian’s boots. Notably, Aquilani was not adverse to tracking back and putting in defensive work, as he generally dropped back to pressure the deeper midfielders on the ball and cut off passing lanes.

However, since this formation centered on the use of Aquilani, a player whose future at the club is somewhat foggy, it’s not clear if we’ll be seeing this at all during the season. While Gerrard, Meireles, and perhaps Adam could play this role, they’d all likely be more effective in the previously mentioned formation. If Aquilani stays, I suspect we’ll see this formation when looking to play prominently between the oppositions’ defensive lines.

What is Kenny likely to use?

So what might we see during the coming season? I suspect that 4-3-2-1 may be the primary formation used by Liverpool, based on the moves in the transfer market and prominent use in the friendlies so far. However, we have been lacking Lucas, Downing, and Suarez in the matches to date. When they’re available, I suspect that Suarez and Downing will primarily play as the wide attackers with Carroll leading the line, and Lucas to slot into the midfield along with two of Adam, Gerrard, and Meireles. In Carroll’s absence, Suarez would lead the line, flanked by two of Downing, Kuyt, Gerrard, and Maxi.

4231

As noted above, the use of 4-2-3-1 is likely dependent on whether Aquilani decides to play his football in Liverpool or Florence this next season. The players would likely remain the same as in the 4-3-2-1, with the midfield comprise of Aquilani and two from Lucas, Gerrard, Adam, and Meireles. However, I think this formation would likely feature Suarez leading the line, as his movement would be much more effective ahead of Aquilani than would be Carroll’s power and aerial ability.

penultimate

It’s also likely that we’ll see a fair amount of the 4-2-2-2 that was predominantly used under Dalglish last season and I broke down in a previous post earlier in the summer. Using Downing and Kuyt/Gerrard/Maxi wide with Lucas and Gerrard/Adam/Meireles/Aquilani in the engine room we would see a blend of power, width, slick passing, and quick movement.

tacticsend

**Another reminder that you can submit a guest post if you’re interested—we’ve only got two weekends left before the season starts, so if you’re interested just send an email to liverpooloffside@hotmail.com with questions or your completed post.**

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Miscellaneous, Special Features

« Hull City 3, Liverpool 0: Preseason Turns Ugly | Home | Suarez Victorious, Reina’s Return, and Other Monday Notes »

BiggestRedintanzania

This is what i have been think for out new formation can i get feed back on this please?? a modified 3-6-1

Carrol

Downing Adam Suarez

Gerrard
Lucas Miereles

Agger Carra Skrtel

Reina
Russell

Do you think we could have a midfield line-up without Lucas? I think it'd be difficult, but it may be possible when Gerrard is back. If Gerrard and Adam work on their defending, I could see a midfield three of Gerrard, Adam, and Henderson.

As these friendlies have shown, we need Lucas (or at least a DM) in our midfield. But what happens when he gets injured? Could both Gerrard and Adam do that DM job?
lfc80uk

I am guessing that due to the fact that you have not mentioned Meireles in any of your formations you are under the assumption that he will be sold this summer. Such a shame if he does because along with Aqualani, they are both quality midfielders. They give the team much needed depth, both are full internationals and both have the opportunity to improve as players under the guidance of Dalglish. What say you?
DJ-Chutfield

It's not THAT hard for me to get excited about the arrivals of Adam and Henderson. They're both gifted players, players who want to play for the Red of Liverpool and have the promise to grow. What I do have a problem with is shipping out two of our finest players, Aquilani and Meireles, to make room for them in the squad. Both are proven class, both fit seemlessly into Kenny's system. Why get rid of them just to make room for decidedly more average players? It feels like Alonso/Barry all over again...
lfc80uk

I agree with you, apart from filling the home grown talent quota, the signings of Henderson and Adam is baffling. Perhaps I am being unfair to our new British acquisitions and I do hope they prove me wrong. But I feel Meireles and Aqualani have the necessary quality to fill the positions within that midfield.
Tropics Red

Excellent work Joel! Have you been watching Copa America? What position's has Suarez been taking up - it seems to me he's starting of centrally and running the channels and giving fullbacks headaches becaase they don't know if and when they can get forward. Do you think that he can translate this effectiveness when starting in a wider role and drifting inside as per your 4-3-2-1, or do you see him being the striker in that formation able to feed off the pass and move from behind him?
And just thinking that one through a bit more (and considering the way Kenny used Meireles last season, if we do go with the 4-3-2-1 approach and get our width from full backs, could the midfield line up with Lucas, Gerrard, Adam, Meireles and Aquilani?
Joel

He's definitely been playing the classic number 9 role at the Copa with plenty of movement. Everything about his time at Ajax, games with Uruguay, and the second half of last season suggests that he's comfortable anywhere in attack, as long as the formation is fluid there is freedom to move.

The way I see the 4-3-2-1 working with Suarez as part of the 2 is almost like a lopsided 4-4-2 rather than the christmas tree style of 4-3-2-1. Downing (or Kuyt, Meireles, etc) would function more like a classic winger, providing width and tracking back defensively. Suarez would be playing more as an inside forward in a free role, drifting about through the channels, wide areas, and into the hole behind Carroll.
Tropics Red

The lopsided 4-4-2 that Kenny used to set up with Aldo up front, Beardo dropping deep and to the right, Barnes as a left winger with Houghton tucked in frm the right with McMahon and Whelan in the middle!

(and as you point out the destroyer/passer/creator roles areless defined than with some other managers)

Houghton - box to box, McMahon - destroyer & Whelan - passer/creator.
Gerrard/Meireles - Box to box, Lucas/Poulsen - destroyer & Adam/Aquilani - passer/creator
Cheekyfellow

"Poulsen - Destroyer..."

hahahahahahahahahaha
TrueRed

Poulsen is a Destroyer alright. Destroyed our midfield.
Tropics Red

LMFAO - I didn't say he was any good at it, just that he'd be designated that role!! Carrying it out is a different proposition altogether!!
Gally

Don't see Insua as 1st choice at left back Joel. my money's on jonno there and Kelly on the right with robinson and flanno as cover. Downing and kuyt will start most games as will Lucas, stevie, andy and luis. This leaves a more traditional looking 4-4-2 as a real possibility. I see the real benefit of Kenny's management as being tactical fluidity. Long term I would expect to see Lucas and hendo as a two with stevie ahead of them and 3 from dirky, luis, downing and carroll.
Joel

As the squad stands right now, I think we'd be seeing a fair amount of Insua at LB. Granted, I still strongly suspect we'll be bringing in a fresh face there, but I'd pick him there over Johnson with Kelly at RB in general. Hypothetically, if we don't move for a new LB, I'd think we'll see a fair amount of rotation with Johnson the guaranteed starter, Insua and Kelly the primary figures to rotate into LB/RB, and Flanagan/Robinson to get some blooding in and cover for injuries.

On the Kelly/Insua/Johnson issue, I think we'd see more of Insua at LB with Johnson at RB rather than Johnson/Kelly simply because Glen is certainly the better player than both of them and he's more effective on his preferred side. Also, I'd like to see Kelly worked into a role at CB, but that's a whole different can of worms...
Cheekyfellow

I do wish we could have seen Kelly as a CB during this preseason, hopefully there's still time for it.
Tropics Red

You've got to think that Kenny likes the look of Insua given the lack of activity in the transfer market for this position. Lets not forget that this is a player that at a very young age was brought into the NT squad. Yes he looked naive a couple of seasons ago, but let's not write off his potential. Rotated in and out with Aurelio and Robinson wouldn't be a bad scenario.
Joel

Wholly agree. I don't think he was that bad two seasons ago, especially for a 20 year old playing more than a few games for the first time in his career. If we're going to be using FBs to provide width in attack, Insua's crossing would be a big asset.
Tropics Red

I don't think he was that bad either; and let's not forget that they are called 'attacking' full backs for a reason!
Even Coentrao had 2-3 years of struggles before really cementing his place in the Benfica squad and impressing so many of the worlds biggest clubs.
Akshaye

Insua was pretty decent at left back for us, din give us much to complain abt, and after watchin konchesky, insua is god! Anyways personally, if we cant get a quality left back in the market, which the market is short off, i dont see the sense in paying 10 odd million for someone who maight just be slightly better than insua! And with robinson, flanagan, johnson, wilson and agger all having played that role for us last season, i dont think it wud be that much of a problem!
But again, a quality full back wud be ideal, but wen i say quality, i mean coentrao, n hes gone, there r no Superstar left backs available in the market, its a horrible position wen it comes to the transfer market
Ryan

Suarez wins Copa Ameriiicccaaa...with 10 other people!

I must admit, not seeing Meireles in any of the formation pictures is just wrong. Unless I'm getting the complete wrong impression, and "Adam" is just an affectionate nickname Liverpool fans have made for Raul because we love him so so much.

The 4-3-2-1, although really easy to remember...doesn't look very wide, with Downing being the only real winger, and on his "cut in, get central"-right side. That would be all fine and dandy except that we don't have 2 Suarezez and Mr. Carroll is gonna be getting in the way a lot. His preferred hoof balls won't be as prominent, I just don't see that working very well. But, I'm probably really really wrong and I'm just blabbering.
Cheekyfellow

I think you're taking the graphic too much to heart. Put in whoever you want. Regardless, I think the 4-3-2-1 formation looks awesome.
Alex

Ryan - carroll does not prefer hoof balls at all. It is simply not his fault that carra and skrtel love thumping them up to him. Evidence of this is found in the fact that his single best game last season - the 3-0 win over man city - he was part of a flowing pass and move system, and he looked totally comfortable and very happy, and that is reflected in his goals and overall performance. He is very capable of playing pass and move, but sadly is typecasted by his height - something which overall happens too much in football - as a striker who loves spending the whole match flicking the ball on to nobody in particular.
Ryan

I don't mean to typecast him for how tall he is, I was only going by his goal highlights, where every goal was either a poke-in, long shot, or header. they were mostly from set plays/long balls, and that's why I worry. But having missed the Man City game and only seen a few below-par performances, I hope you're right about his ability!
saurabh

Where is gerrard in last formation?????????????
Joel

I'm sure Gerrard will get plenty of game time, but I suspect that the 4-2-2-2 will be used often in his inevitable injury absences. Were he to play in the 4-2-2-2, I think his most effective position would be wide right as he doesn't really have the proper discipline to form an effective CM partnership in this style of formation.
Nic

To be fair to Joel, he does say that Gerrard is interchangeable on either the L or R for both Downing & Kuyt.

And he does say Gerrard is in contention for midfield position available with Lucas [as clearly Lucas is going to be the main holding midfielder next season and it's going to be a combination of Lucas + others].
red33

Did you miss out on 3-5-2??
Joel

I don't think we'll see 3-5-2 with any regularity. It might be used situationally to counter specific teams, but with the large amount of midfield options we have (plus an actual winger), it would be more effective to play a 4-1-4-1 than it would a 3-5-2.
Nic

I'm guessing we'd only use the 3-5-2 formation for specific teams where we need the extra body in defence, mainly against those teams that like to knock the ball long or use set pieces as there main attacking threat.
Nic

Great analysis Joel and some interesting ideas on how LFC will line up next season, particularly like the 4-3-2-1.

Let's just hope 'Kenny - the troll' from yesterdays post doesn't turn up and start ranting about sticking AGGER in midfield?

Just a quick question, where do you see Henderson fitting in, i noticed he's not really mentioned in any of your formations [obviously missing from the pre-season games up until yesterday] but also for future formational ideas.

Would you see him out on the R-attacking position or more with the 3 man midfield or something else i've missed?
Joel

I suspect he'll be used as part of the midfield three in the 4-3-2-1/4-2-3-1, but could slot in at RM in the 4-2-2-2. His future seems to lie as a box-to-box midfielder, so I suspect that he'll see most of his game time in CM.
Thomas Hoppe

Good question about Henderson. I really think Henderson and Lucas could be a much more effective version of the partnership that Lucas and Spearing had at the end of last season. If Aquilani stays, a Lucas/Henderson partnership with Aquilani ahead of them seems like it could really break down a lot of clubs, or at least wear them out.
Cheekyfellow

Yea that 4-3-2-1 formation looks like a it could cause other teams trouble. I too, am curious where Henderson would go, maybe in place of downing.
Nic

I'm guessing that depending on Gerrards fitness throughout the season, Henderson could fill his role of the R midfielder in the the 4-3-2-1, that looks a tasty line-up!
Ray W Jones

Message to Kenny - Sell - sell - sell and if need be force a few out Poulson is rubbish and Cole is a spent force - that is the reality - GET REAL
cheekyfellow

I think he knows. I also think if you know, then other clubs know. Which means, it's hard to sell rubbish when others know they're rubbish. Capish?
Guest

Make that two awesome guest posts by Mr. Radaj. Bravo.

This site has become quite strong in the "writers with names ending in _oel" department, I must say.
football fan

Liverpool can't even against HULL CITY a championship mid table outfit, and here the kops are dreaming that they can win the league title.
Sure Liverpool have done more transfer activity than clubs like Chelsea,Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City but if one looks a little deeper one would realize that all the transfers that have occurred are from relegation fighting clubs with none being a big name in the footballing world. It is absolutely preposterous to assume or imagine Looserfools to win anything or even finish in top four with these bunch of over rated mediocre.
paul

Yawn. Get back under your bridge.
Thomas Hoppe

When FSG built a Red Sox team that won the World Series, everyone said they bought average players with little to no talent. They have won the World Series twice in the last seven seasons and have one of the greatest offenses in history this year.
bitterfan

Different sport. Different skill sets.

Henderson is young so he has time to improve and Downing isn't the worst winger in the world but Adam and Carroll are absolutely average.

Adam's got a good long ball but aren't we trying to get away from that sort of game.

And Andy Carroll is one of the least skillful strikers I have ever seen. He has one thing going for him in his height. In terms of finishing and general play of the ball there are twenty better players in the Championship that cost 1/25th of his price tag.

The games will go like this this year. Lucas wins the ball. Passes to Adam. Adam attempts long, difficult ball to Andy Carroll who either mis-controls in an attempt to dribble or fails to find a team mate with the knockdown.

It will be fucking ugly to watch and I'm not looking forward to it.

As time goes by I'm sure Carroll and Adam will be dropped as the likes of Kuyt, Aquilani and Meireles prove how much better they are in those positions.

We have wasted so much money signing average players on long term contracts and its killing me.

You all might think it's going to be alright with Kenny in charge but these signings and a three nil defeat to Hull have me worried.

I read another post on here awhile ago about not allowing Kenny a free run and holding him accountable for his mistakes and it's time for us to at least show a little bit of concern.

How many of you would have stood by and let Hodgson spend £20 million on Henderson, £35 million on Carroll, £8 million on Adam and £20 million on Downing.

He would have been out the door the next day.
Joel

Did you even watch Adam play in an actual game, or do you base all your judgments solely on youtube compilations? While he does play long balls, he only does no when there's a good opportunity to do so. He's shown in each of the friendlies that he understands pass and move, combining well in some passing moves through midfield.

Andy Carroll average? He's 22. He was injured/recovering all last season in a team that hadn't had a chance to gel yet.

As for the fees, we didn't pay £35m for Carrol. We swapped a whiney, uninterested version of Torres for Carroll plus £15m. Beside the fact that none of the fees mentioned for the other players are correct, the club clearly has the funds to spend on the players they have determined they want to get, so why are we complaining? We've got another £30m-40m per year solely from the lack of interest payments, so we're hardly skint. There's no sense in worrying about fees unless we're not able to pay.
Mike

I am sorry but I have to agree completely with bitterfan. Would you be saying these things if Carroll was not english? If he wasn't english we would be furious at so much money being paid for so average a player. His first touch is always heavy and he simply does not pocess the athleticsm that would allow him to get away with his lack of technique at the highest level. There is no way Hodgson would have made the same deal and not have everyone at his throat! Also primarily because of him we spent 20 million on another average player. Guess who that is.
bitterfan

So your actually trying to convince me that Carroll is better than Kuyt and Adam is better than Meireles and Aquilani?
Nic

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