I like the first line up. I think we could also go 4, 3, 3 formation with Suarez on the left, Kuyt right and Carroll up front! The midfield i have no idea just yet.

I thought the 3 at the back worked surprisingly well last season, but I would be shocked if it became our standard formation for next season.

I think we are far more likely to use a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-1-1.

I don't think any team wanting to finish in the top 4 will have only three at the back, it just doesn't work and has too many weaknesses.

I think it will most likely be a 4-3-3 with the healthy centre midfield we now have. At the moment I'd have:

---------------------------Reina---------------------------
---Johnson------Carra-----Agger----------Aurelio--
----------------Meireles-------Aquilani------------------
----------Kuyt-----------Gerrard----------Suarez----
---------------------------Carroll---------------------------

Bench: Doni, Skrtel, Kelly, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Maxi

First names on the team sheet:

Reina, Gerrard, Carra, Suarez, Lucas, Johnson., Kuyt....the rest is up for grabs in my eyes!!

--Meireles-------Aquilani---

never will happen - as much as i'd like to see the day. be realistic. no offence - defence balance.

Meireles plays DM for Portugal.
Aquilani plays deep for Italy.

I don't see any issue if those two were the 2 in a 4-2-3-1
None whatsoever.

--Meireles-------Aquilani---

never will happen - as much as i'd like to see the day. be realistic. no offence - defence balance.

-----------------------------------

I hear what you're saying but I do think this is possible if Meireles was to play more of a DM role, like he does with Portugal. I hope it happens, or at least is given a go.
We've yet to see these two play together and it could turn out to be a good partnership, hope of course more than expectation. They are both too good to bench imo.

even if they did play together at the same time, it's just hard imagining henderson + adam, our summer signings both sitting on the bench at the same time.

Henderson was signed as a long term prospect. I reckon he's still behind Kuyt for the right mid spot.

And 9mil sounds like a squad depth signing rather than a first XI signing.

I think rotation is back. I'm glad about it too. It means we have depth again for the first time in a few years.

if it were my choice a 4-3-3 would be like:

---------------------------Reina---------------------------
---Johnson------Carra-----Agger----------Aurelio--
----------------Gerrard---------Lucas----------------
----------Kuyt-----------Aquilani----------Suarez----
---------------------------Carroll---------------------------

take your pick betwen Aquilani and Miereles. both are good for me.

i don't think we'll see Downing in a 433 unless Suarez is out. i think he'll come in on the left when we're playing 442 / 4411. that may happen more often than not because of aurelio's fitness. i think johnson on the left = downing in front of him in a 4-man mid. like:

---------------------------Reina---------------------------
---Kelly----------Carra--------Agger-------Johnson--
--Hendo--------Gerrad-------Lucas-------Downing--
----------------------------Suarez-----------------------
--------------------------------Carroll--------------------

in this one take your pick between Kuyt and Hendo

don't think we'll see 352 often.

-------------------------Reina------------------------------

---Johnson------Carra---------Agger--------Aurelio/New LB

--------------------------Lucas------------------------------------

--------Meireles/Aqua-------------Gerrard------------------

-----Kuyt-------------------Carroll----------------Suarez--------

I would love to agree with aquilonso mainly while playing against teams putting 10 men behind

What Nero said, with a bit of rotation

The comments in this article just shows that we have no idea what KK will do.

But my thoughts are if we get downing, he will be a starter. Henderson will but an active sub to start with. Lucas will keep his place. Gerrard, suarez of course. I have a feeling that unless we get a right winger that this will be alternated with Kuyt and Henderson. But if we do get a RW, Henderson will be alternated and Kuyt will be Back up striker to carroll.

I much prefer the second team and formation of the two. I would prefer to introduce the likes of Carroll and Henderson in the last 20-30 minutes of games to add power and energy when crosses become more frequent as both teams begin to get tired.

4-1-4-1

--------------Reina
Kelly--Skrtl---Agger--Johnson
--------------Lucas
Henderson-Gerrard-Adam-Suarez
--------------Carroll

always good articles Got Better...

im frothing at the mouth with all the options we have.

i agree with all your first names on team sheet