With Liverpool completing the signing of Daniel Sturridge, much has been made of where the England international will play for Liverpool, with the 23 year old apparently demanding a central striker role in his contract.
However, both parties will be pleased that the deal has been completed, but Rodgers will still have to decide where his new £12million signing will play.
“His best position is as a central striker," Rodgers, quoted in various newspapers, said of Sturridge.”
“I have said 4-3-3 will become richer because of the type of players and there is not one way to play 4-3-3.”
He added: “You can have one up and two wingers, a floating nine like Luis Suarez, or you can have one like Daniel Sturridge playing centrally, with two in and around him playing narrow and full backs bombing on.”
“The principles of your game are based on your players. I think for Daniel his best position will be straight through the middle with his pace.”
So, with Luis Suarez on 18 goals already this season, his most prolific goal-scoring season already in his time at Liverpool – is Rodgers wise to move the Uruguyian to the wing to accommodate Daniel Sturridge?
Throughout his time at Ajax, Suarez was deployed behind the striker, as a number 10, and even on the left wing. World-class players have no problem adapting to different positions or formations, but is it for the best of the team?
With Sturridge playing centrally, he will be joined in attack with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling. Steven Gerrard will be an attack minded central midfielder with the Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva duo just behind.
With Sterling and Suarez on the wings, or even as 'inside forwards' for you football manager maniacs, this will improve the attacking ability of Liverpool, as well as improving the width of the side.
Stewart Downing has been of a hit and miss signing for Liverpool – whilst Luis Suarez will add competitive consistency to Liverpool's width, with Daniel Sturrige leading the line who we all know can score goals.
In his breakthrough season at Chelsea, the forward had 10 goals to his name, by January, on the right wing. Given the freedom of the centre forward role with the likes of Suarez and Sterling either side of him, it could potentially work.
Another option is to play Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge upfront together, something I'm sure all Liverpool fans would prefer than moving the Uruguyian out of position. With Sturridge and Suarez as centre forwards, Gerrard would be able to return to his favoured attacking midfield role, with the trio of Joe Allen, Lucas Leiva and Jonjo Shelvey in midfield.
This will ideally be a formation for the future. Bar Gerrard, the midfield and attack of Liverpool will all range from 18-25 years old.
Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva will continue doing what they do so well, maintaining posession and breaking down opponents attacks, whilst Jonjo Shelvey will be given the freedom to join Steven Gerrard with the attacking duty.
Although Rodgers has said that he will stick with his 4-3-3 formation, the idea of a more common 4-2-3-1 formation will look pleasing to Liverpool fans. Suarez playing just behind Sturridge, flanked each side by Raheem Sterling and Stewart Downing, whilst Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard continue to sit deep in the heart of the Liverpool midfield.
This formation is used by the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. All top European teams are using this formation, and Liverpool could be the latest club to embark on the 4-2-3-1 formation.
What formation would you like to see Liverpool play?
Will Daniel Sturridge fit in well at Liverpool Football Club?
Source: DSG
