The 3-5-2

[Kawklee]

Ive been hearing more about the possibility for this formation, and Id like to hear your opinions on it, seeing as many of you are far more knowledgeable and experienced than I.

[Twenty26Six]

Ive been hearing more about the possibility for this formation, and Id like to hear your opinions on it, seeing as many of you are far more knowledgeable and experienced than I.

We don't really have the personnel to run it as a default.

These players would fit most effectively.

Reina
Skrtel - Carra - Agger
Degen - Masch - Alonso - Aurelio
Gerrard
Keane - Torres


You could substitute Dossena for Aurelio. And, you could put Kuyt in for Keane.

This formation isn't suited to Arbeloa (best as a 1v1 defender - doesn't add enough to the attack) or Riera (even if Riera was a WB at City for a short period.)

[Grinners89]

We don't really have the personnel to run it as a default.

These players would fit most effectively.

Reina
Skrtel - Carra - Agger
Degen - Masch - Alonso - Aurelio
Gerrard
Keane - Torres


You could substitute Dossena for Aurelio. And, you could put Kuyt in for Keane.

This formation isn't suited to Arbeloa (best as a 1v1 defender - doesn't add enough to the attack) or Riera (even if Riera was a WB at City for a short period.)

Dossena shined at Udinese last season in a 3-4-3 system playing as a wing-back. His attacking contributions so far have been very good. He has probably won us the most corners out of any player and his crosses (eg cross to Kuyt vs Hull that Kuyt missed) are also of a very high quality.

Degen and Dossena would almost be shoe-ins for this system, however it is a generally defensive system that requires a deep defensive line...something that we dont do under Rafa and never should revert to. The problem is that if the wing-backs are caught out of position, there would be lots of space behind them which would put Carra and Agger in many one-vs-one situations.

[zenden]

Ive been hearing more about the possibility for this formation, and Id like to hear your opinions on it, seeing as many of you are far more knowledgeable and experienced than I.

I like it. Chivas de Guadalajara have been quite successful in recent years using this formation. I agree with Twenty26six though, I don't think we have the players for it. Need wing backs.

[Grinners89]

I like it. Chivas de Guadalajara have been quite successful in recent years using this formation. I agree with Twenty26six though, I don't think we have the players for it. Need wing backs.

We have two wing-backs in the squad. Degen and Dossena. Even Insua and Aurelio could play that role.

[zenden]

We have two wing-backs in the squad. Degen and Dossena. Even Insua and Aurelio could play that role.

I still haven't seen Degen so I didn't know he was a wing back. In that case, I would love Rafa to give it a try.

[Suss]

We have two wing-backs in the squad. Degen and Dossena. Even Insua and Aurelio could play that role.

And Degen and Dossena are two of our worst players. It doesn't make sense to play a formation that caters to them, while sacrificing a striker or someone like Riera.

[Grinners89]

And Degen and Dossena are two of our worst players. It doesn't make sense to play a formation that caters to them, while sacrificing a striker or someone like Riera.

Personally, i never want to see us play three at the back. It is not a successful formation. I was only informing zenden that we do have wing-backs in the squad.

If Rafa has played a back 4 for four years, he will not be going back on his ideas now.

They way that Rafa wants his team to play...playing 3 CB's would be completely against that philosophy and would hamper us playing a possession based game.

[liverbird]

Personally, i never want to see us play three at the back. It is not a successful formation. I was only informing zenden that we do have wing-backs in the squad.

If Rafa has played a back 4 for four years, he will not be going back on his ideas now.

They way that Rafa wants his team to play...playing 3 CB's would be completely against that philosophy and would hamper us playing a possession based game.

Right Rafa wants to play a 4-2-3-1 that attacks with as many as seven players and defends with 9 if necessary.

[Grinners89]

Right Rafa wants to play a 4-2-3-1 that attacks with as many as seven players and defends with 9 if necessary.

Rafa likes to have at least 9 players defending, preferrably 10 at all times.

In the 4-2-3-1, he will have at least 7 players attacking...fullbacks, the second volante (usually Lucas or Alonso), and the front 4. With Agger in the side, you could call it 8.

In the 4-4-2, Rafa likes to attack with 8 players...with the 2 CB's staying back.

When we play counter-attack football, it is more likely that only 5 or 6 players will be ordered to attack while 4 or 5 will strictly be defending.

[el-capitano]

I'm not a fan- everybody's basically covered what I need to say though! ;)

[AussieLFCfan]

I'm not a fan- everybody's basically covered what I need to say though! ;)

Ditto.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

What about?

:D

----------------Skrtel------------------
----Carragher---------Agger----------
-------------Mascherano---------------
Kuyt-----Gerrard---Alonso------Riera
-----------Torres-----Keane-----------

[Twenty26Six]

What about?

:D

----------------Skrtel------------------
----Carragher---------Agger----------
-------------Mascherano---------------
Kuyt-----Gerrard---Alonso------Riera
-----------Torres-----Keane-----------

Why would you play a man down and put Skrtel in goal? ;)

Agger would definitely be the sweeper. Carra = stopper. Hyypia and Skrt would be marking backs. High school soccer! :D

[revelationx]

I think Rafa has recently said in an interview that Liverpool have three formations - 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3. We played 3-4-3 a few years back against weak defences away from home - Watford and Newcastle and we won those matches.

I think Rio at Leeds played in a 3-5-2. I am not sure when we last played it. It requires pacy wing-backs with lots of stamina bombing up and down the flanks. I believe Brazil played it in WC2002 with Cafu and Roberto Carlos on the flanks - those 2 guys epitomise running up the flanks.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Agger would definitely be the sweeper. Carra = stopper. Hyypia and Skrt would be marking backs. High school soccer! :D

Good I am glad someone called that.

Good old diamond defense. Just ridiculous. :D

Now all we need are parents that don't know what the Offside Law is, and coaches that value athleticism over thought/skill and we will be set! ;)

But seriously, someone should tell Rafa of this diabolical formation so we can try it out against Preston North End.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Agger would definitely be the sweeper. Carra = stopper. Hyypia and Skrt would be marking backs. High school soccer! :D

Good I am glad someone called that.

Good old diamond defense. Just ridiculous. :D

Now all we need are parents that don't know what the Offside Law is, and coaches that value athleticism over thought/skill and we will be set! ;)

But seriously, someone should tell Rafa of this diabolical formation so we can try it out against Preston North End.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I am glad someone called me out on that.

[Kawklee]

with Kuyts workability is it feasible? Also, we get our three best midfielders on at a time, our three best defenders on, and our best strikers working in the position that they're used to and most successful at. Lord knows I know tit-all about footie compared to much of you lot, but something about does seem approachable.

[AussieLFCfan]

Why would you play a man down and put Skrtel in goal? ;)


I was wondering the same thing lol :D