How can Liverpool accommodate Enrique, Johnson and Coutinho with SAS?

Philippe Coutinho

Since the start of the campaign, Liverpool have never had their full strength squad to choose from. Striker Luis Suarez missed the opening 5 fixtures due to his ban and when he returned, Liverpool had Philipe Coutinho and Glen Johnson out due to injuries. Hence, Brendan Rodgers switched to a 3-5-2 formation to accommodate Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez as the two main strikers. But Coutinho is back now and fullbacks, Luis Enrique and Johnson, are also expected to be fit for the Fulham clash. So how should Liverpool play now? Let us discuss a possibility.

Formation 4-4-2

In the era of lone striker formation, Liverpool must go back to the traditional 4-4-2 if they want to play both Sturridge and Suarez as the strikers at the same time. It is probably the best way to accommodate the SAS combination with Phillipe Coutinho.

Goalkeeper

No changes between the sticks are expected. Simon Mignolet should continue his good form between the sticks with Bradley Jones as his substitute.

Defence

I think it is time Liverpool shift back to a back four instead of three central defenders and two wing backs. The Reds started the season with three clean sheets in a row when they used a back four system with Enrique and Johnson as fullbacks and Daniel Agger pairing up with Kolo Toure at the heart of the defence. But the addition of Mamadou Sakho and Aly Cissokho has given Extra options for Rodgers to choose from at the back. Liverpool can try a pairing of Agger and Sakho at the centre , with Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure as further options. Enrique and Johnson should slot in at LB and RB respectively.

Midfielders

No changes are expected at the central part of midfield with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Levia pairing up. Captain Steven Gerrard distributes the ball while Lucas is the ball-winning midfielder, and at the same time shielding the defence.

LM is where the change can come. Returning Coutinho played as LM against Arsenal and made some excellent penetrating passes. This move can become even more fruitful if Coutinho is given the licence to drift inwards during attacks with Enrique at LB overlapping him on his runs. Enrique has been tried at the LM positions a few times by Brendan Rodgers and has the quality to put in crosses from wide positions.

Jordan Henderson and Victor Moses are the two contenders for the RM role. Henderson has shown great receptance since given the wide midfielder role and has started every league game this season. Moses is also a good option with his attacking runs and good dribbling qualities.

Strikers

There is absolutely no doubt that Suarez and Sturridge will be the two strikers upfront for Liverpool. Nicknamed as the SAS, Suarez and Sturridge have formed a very lethal partnership, bagging 14 goals in 6 starts this season. Both of them also combine well with Brazilian Coutinho, who is a master passer in the final third of the field. Both Suarez and Sturridge have the qualities to drop back and pick up the ball from midfield which makes the task easier for the other to make forward runs into the box.