Brendan Rodgers will surely not drop Jordan Henderson…
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The Daily Star has published the side it reckons Brendan Rodgers will choose as his first-choice for Liverpool next term, which includes five new signings.
It also claims that the Reds will deploy a 4-4-2 system, including old-fashioned wingers, and anyone who’s ever seen Liverpool player under Rodgers will know this is verging on farcical.
Here’s the unlikely XI, and who we reckon Rodgers will use instead:
GK) Simon Mignolet
They’ve got it right on this one, to be fair. Although the Reds have been linked with bringing in a new backup (Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa mentioned frequently), Mignolet will be trusted with the no.1 jersey again next term.
DR) Glen Johnson
Johnson will likely be first-choice right-back, although he can expect a serious challenge from young Jon Flanagan for the position.
DC) Martin Skrtel
After his excellent World Cup, Mamadou Sakho deserves a run of games as Liverpool’s first-choice centre-back. Martin Skrtel scores goals, but he’s a defensive liability, and the Reds conceded 50 Premier League goals last term with him starting. Rodgers rates Sakho, whose season was ruined by injuries, very highly – and will surely give him the chance to pay back his £15m fee.
DC) Dejan Lovren
The Croatian central defender still wants to leave Southampton, who he reckons are showing a lack of ambition by selling their best players. Liverpool want the 25-year-old, and could pair him with Sakho at the back next term, rather than Skrtel.
DL) Alberto Moreno
Liverpool are desperate to sign the Spaniard, and like the Star reports, we think they’ll eventually get their man. Club official Ian Ayre has flown to Sevilla for talks regarding the fullback, and a deal could be made more likely now Iago Aspas has gone the other way on loan.
MR) Lazar Markovic
Liverpool have signed the Serbian for £19.8m in total, with Benfica confirming the deal, and the player himself celebrating the transfer on social media. Last season with Benfica though, Markovic played as an advanced right forward, usually in a modern 4-2-3-1 formation, and not as part of a 4-4-2. He prides himself on his trickery and pace, and his ability to drift infield and link up with midfielders. His talents would be wasted in this suggested role, and Liverpool’s structure would suffer because of it.
MC) Adam Lallana
Last season, Lallana played on the left wing, the right wing, or in a central no.10 role behind a striker. On just one occasion in 33 Premier League matches (courtesy of WhoScored), did he play in central midfield. With Steven Gerrard not able to cover the ground he once could, using him next to the offensive Lallana in a midfield two would be stupid – and something Rodgers would never do anyway. Last term, Jordan Henderson was sensational, and one of the first names on Rodgers’ team sheet. There’s no way the manager will change his team’s shape, drop Henderson, and play Lallana and Gerrard in a midfield two.
MC) Steven Gerrard
Gerrard will still be key to Liverpool’s side, although he’d expect to be starting with a central midfielder on either side of him – so he can dictate tempo with his passing. We reckon this will be Henderson and either Lallana or Coutinho, with Emre Can as backup to Gerrard.
ML) Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s best work last season was actually done at the tip of a midfield diamond centrally. Without Suarez, Liverpool could play a more traditional 4-3-3, where Sterling could start on the left or right – or a 4-2-3-1, with Sterling in the no.10 role, and Lallana and Markovic either side of him. He won’t be used on the left of a 4-4-2.
FC) Wilfried Bony
Bony’s been linked with a £19m move to Anfield, but if he were to arrive, he’d not be used in a ‘big man – quick man’ partnership with Sturridge. Bony could either backup Sturridge from the bench, or play alongside him in a narrower 4-3-1-2 diamond formation – which the Reds used extensively last year.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge is sure to be given a pivotal role next season at Anfield, having bagged 21 Premier League goals last season. Only Luis Suarez scored more – and he’ll need to perform even better if the Reds are to challenge for the title again.
