I think it's clear to see now that this is Rodgers' preference. Or at the very least, he wants us to have the option to play this formation hence the need for a top class striker alongside Sturridge.
Rodgers was also keen to point out after the Saints game that we played the formation 8 times last season, drawing once and winning the other 7. Coutinho has been playing centrally and since he's joined Rodgers has moved him further back and even likened him to Modric. So I'd fully expect him to play as one of the 'three'.
We've been linked with a load of strikers but the Balotelli rumours are really hotting up. Now, I may be in the minority...but I'd welcome him.
The rumoured fee is crazy cheap for someone with his record, age (still only 24!) and quality. Secondly, his controversies are widely overplayed and apart from a few dismissals, he's not done anything that crazy (on the pitch), unlike a certain Mr Suarez. My only concern is if he'd get involved in the high-pressing that Rodgers demands from his strikers. Other than that, yeah, go for it!
We need a nutter now Suarez has gone
-----------------------------------Mignolet
-------Manquillo----Lovren------------Sakho------Moreno
-----------------------------------Gerrard
-----------------------Henderson----Coutinho
-----------------------------------Sterling
---------------------Sturridge-------------Balotelli
Subs:
Jones/New GK, Flanagan, Skrtel, Allen, Can, Markovic, Lallana
Now if that doesn't get you excited...nothing will. (Couldn't find space for Lambert, Enrique or Lucas! Johnson should be somewhere far far away too)
I feel a bit GotBetter-esque, but that squad is stupidly exciting!
4-4-2 Diamond and Super Mario
posted on 21/8/14
Exactly.
Rodgers has deliberately gone for versatile players and with the players at his disposal, it can become a 4-3-3 or even 4-2-3-1 without even making a change. Does make me wonder about Markovic's position...reckon he could play at the tip of the diamond?
posted on 21/8/14
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posted on 21/8/14
Yeah, I definitely don't see him as a striker. I think he'll be Sterling's competition for the point of the diamond.
I think Rodgers wants somebody quick playing there to press quickly. Lallana/Coutinho pulling the strings from a deeper position. Henderson/Can/Allen as the box-box and Gerrard/Allen/Lucas as the holding player.
posted on 21/8/14
Well the BBC are reporting we are in talks with Balotelli now so seems legit.
Must admit I am surprised but can see how at the price I've seen talked about and with his goal scoring record, Rodgers is interested.
If Rodgers can turn his waywardness around then we will truly have a brilliant player on our hands. BUT ... this means we again have the league baddie and a top 2 of Sturridge and Ballotelli is possibly the most arrogant strikeforce in football history. Will they clash?
posted on 21/8/14
Balotelli is a nutter and the preference would be to avoid him like the plague however, he does have all the attributes BR likes; pace..movement..scores goals.
Big risk though.....is he worth it? 64 thousand dollar question eh!
posted on 21/8/14
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posted on 21/8/14
Markovic needs to learn a lot more, at the moment the word Raw sums him up.
He will be used as a sub I suspect and use the pace against tired players. that's my guess.
posted on 21/8/14
Balotelli is a very good player.
will score goal... and he's about to get married so maybe that will have an effect on his off field tantrums
posted on 21/8/14
I'm sure FSG will have every aspect of his nuttiness covered in a contract providing he signs like
posted on 21/8/14
Look at costas goal record before he was moved centrally last season
You can't expect a youngster playing wide to register the same number of goals as a central striker.
Markovich has the physical and technical attributes to occupy any of those forward three roles. Don't forget that the two forward strikers both drift wide.