Liverpool Football Formation

Lineup (4-2-3-1)

The Attack:

Considering the front 4 we have Fabregas in behind Lewandowski flanked by Hulk and Iniesta.

Hulk and Iniesta are two different sort of players. One uses power, drive and strong shots to unnerve the opposing defenders and the other uses a delightful touch, trickery and vision to unlock a defense.

Fabregas in this setup plays as an advanced midfielder given the freedom to express himself when on the ball and press the opposition maniacally when off it.


The Midfield:

Bastian and De Rossi are machines in the pivot. They will defend all day long if they must and Basti will of course be willing to tick play along and drive into the box to score opportunely when the time calls for it.

De Rossi on the other hand plays a more reserved role. Defends and makes play tick from deep. He will also be most willing to initiate a quick counter with a 30-40 yard pass that finds a accelerating forward.

The Defense:

Marcelo: A fullback is very good defensively but typically the best in modern day football offensively on his side.

Lahm: The epitome of solid play. Attack Defense nothing is new to him as fullback. Very very balanced and as pep puts it, intelligent player.

Hummels: A modern day sweeper considered by many amongst the best few in the world in his position. Mr. Reliable whenever he plays.

Dante: A common misconception about Dante is that he is a sweeper. Truth is, he isnt. Dante is a ball playing defender capable of sweeping forward, but is used differently by Bayern. In the German setup it is Boateng who moves forward when opportune and Dante sits back as a stopper who can pass. In the Brazil setup, David Luiz is a sweeper but Dante is used interchangeably with him on and off while Thiago goes Rambo as stopper.

How We Play

A lot of people usually 'play on the counter' without the appropriate tools to.

We have

1. A striker who uses power, pace and a superb finish to lethal levels of perfection (Lewandowski).

2. Wing forwards who are direct, love to dribble, have great pace to their credit and can unlock a defense with a moment of magic.

3. An advanced midfielder who can create and yet be direct when the time is ripe.

4. Two midfielders with superb engines capable of running constantly for 90 mins and superb passers of the ball.

5. Fullbacks amongst the best in the world at stretching play.

6. Defenders that are superb on the ball and capable of passing 20-30 yards with precision to initiate a counter attack.

Hence, we play on the counter. We soak in pressure, press with high tempo and from the front yet when we attack, we do so lethally with power, pace and precision.

Fullbacks bomb forward under the protection of De Rossi and Basti. They stretch play and put in precise crosses for the likes of Lewandowski and Basti running into the box late to take advantage of.

Iniesta cuts inwards and uses Marcelo for width. So to Hulk with Lahm.

Defensively both full backs supported by their wingers and the midfielders when under siege.

Fabregas in free role on the ball. he is allowed to drift wide and overload the wings or run into the box and take markers off Lewandowski to create space or just use space to his own advantage. He can also be useful with his array of passing or with a brand of directness evident since he joined Barca.

Fabregas, off the ball will suffocate the likes of Veratti, not allowing him to play his game by driving at him and giving him no time on the ball.

Subs:

If Losing, after 60 mins.

Fabregas and Hulk off. Sterling and Aubameyang on.

Sterling left, Auba right and Iniesta takes over Fabregas free role, including pressing duty.

More pace on wings to run at and stretch tired defenders.

If Winning after 80 mins:

Aubameyang on for Hulk and Verthongen for Marcelo.

Shut the game out.