Liverpool Football Formation

Lineup (4-2-3-1)

The Attack

The formation sees Henry playing up top flanked by Ronaldinho on the left and Barnes on the right with Gullit dictating the play right behind Henry.

The attack will see Henry opening up space by running the channels dragging defenders with him. Ronaldinho's natural tendency to drift in from the left will see Ronaldinho running into that space created by Henry (we all know what a rampaging Ronaldinho could do at his peak) while Gullit will doubles up on the opposition right back neatly interpassing with Dinho and Henry as space opens up. This will allow Lothar to bomb forward and run into the box taking on a final pass and shooting at goal with the thunderous strike that he produced so reliably over the years.

Barnes:

John Barnes was a left footed wing forward. Pace and Power were amongst his greatest gifts and he plays on the right to exploit that against Roberto Carlos whose attacking tendencies will leave the rest of the defense under pressure from space left in behind him. Barnes has the pace and dribbling ability to tear Carlos apart defensively. The best quality that Barnes possesses is his ball retention so even when dribbling at full speed, you expect him to find the perfect pass when space opens up.

Lahm will also often help Barnes by overlapping and stretching play and yet will provide the defensive solidarity we need against a team playing counter attacking football. Dennis Irwin will bomb forward occasionally and look to find Gullit with his pin point crosses. Gullit was a beast in the air and almost unplayable aerially. He will take on aerial deliveries and head to shoot or knock it down for a better placed team mate.

The Defense:

Baresi and Desailly are probably two of the best center-backs to every grace the game. Perfectly complimentary in their abilities, the duo are capable of keeping the most special of attackers quiet (Baresi and Desailly incidentally had their glory moments in 1994. Baresi almost single handedly shut out the entire Brazil forward line in the 94 WC Final dragging the game to penalties. Desailly's heroics in the 94 UCL final are stuff of legend even if he was played out of his favored CB role)

They are flanked by Phillip Lahm whose defensive abilities are well documented and Dennis Irwin (a player Sir Alex has claimed to be his best defensive signing during his tenure). Lahm will move forward often and in his absence Irwin will stick back to keep up numbers in defense. When Irwin occasionally forays forward Lahm will likewise stay back.

When both fullbacks are under attack they will have one of Keane or Lothar (depending on side of the pitch) to help them double team the opposition wide players.

The Midfield.

Even though we play a 4-2-3-1, we must look at Gullit as part of the midfield unit. Between Lothar, Keane and Gullit, we have a midfield that can keep running all day and night let alone ninety odd minutes. It is here that we lay our most stress in a pressing game.

Keane will play little more conservatively when it comes to the attacking aspect of the game. He will work more towards breaking play down and initiating our counter attacks and initiating momentum on counters.

Lothar will play his natural game. Keeping a player of his quality shackled offensively or defensively is not a good idea.

Gullit will be important in many ways. When one of our mids support the full back, Gullit drops deep to cover in midfield supporting Keane. Offensively, Gullit will be given a free role. He will be entrusted with putting Redondo off his game. When on the ball, Gullit will drift into positions which entice Redondo or any one marking him off their positional discipline. When off the ball, Gullit will press maniacally, forcing quick release of the ball which will often lead to mistakes which can trigger our counter attacks. When Redondo is on the ball, Gullit must bully him by charging him down. The idea is to make it a battle Redondo will struggle to control.

Overall Play:

We retain Possession. Recycle it Well.

We'll Come Flying Out of the Blocks when we Counter Attack but always with defensive shape in place.

We will attack with patience and control the tempo of the game. Pushing it up when we see openings and slow it down when the opposition is gaining momentum.

High Tempo pressing when off the ball. Utmost precision play in terms of ball retention.

Discipline as an attacking as well as defensive unit.

Thank you for your patience :P