How Liverpool should lineup against Stoke City – Part 1

Brendan Rodgers

Banners were flashed, chants were recited, the pitch looked cropped and football was finally played at good old L4 after a hiatus of three months.

As the decibels roared at Anfield for Steven Gerrard’s testimonial against Olympiakos, several fans also got an affirmative as to what should ideally be the team’s first eleven against Stoke in the first week of the Premier League.

The game saw Liverpool convincingly beat the Greek side, which made the game more monumental as it was Olympiakos, against whom Liverpool first evinced signs of surmounting a European comeback in the group stages of 2005. Gone are those days when the Reds were regulars in European Football.

Brendan Rodgers seemed to stick with Mignolet at goal, and he seemed assured with his defensive setup as well. But the Ulsterman, for a while, had been experimenting to find his ideal midfield partnership and to finalize the triumvirate up front which would spearhead his 4-3-3 formation.

Rodgers needs to keep in mind that when Liverpool face Stoke on August 17 is the opponents’ physical superiority, set piece dependence and over-reliance on long-ball football.

Liverpool might definitely be the quicker amongst the two sides with a rejuvenated young core of players but in terms of strength, Brendan Rodgers will need to be an astute tactician and ensure his players do not get outplayed in set pieces or crosses. And that is how he should pick his first eleven – with balance of pace and physical strength instead of blind faith in relying upon a swift attack.

This article looks at how Liverpool will line up in defensive aspects of the game, and what matchups will prove decisive in first third of the pitch for the Reds. It also offers an insight into possible changes that Rodgers might use to tinker with the defensive setup.

Goalkeeper

Simon Mignolet

The Belgian shot-stopper is not only renowned to thwart attacks singlehandedly on counters, but does his share of work in set pieces too. Last season, Mignolet had the highest number of saves in the EPL except for West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen. In both the ties against Stoke, he proved crucial in Sunderland (former team), salvaging two vital points, which was poignant in their survival.

In retrospect to Sunderland, Mignolet’s workload will significantly reduce at Liverpool. Daniel Agger is one of the league’s best centre backs, while Kolo Toure, Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson have a plethora of experience. But his presence will come handy to command the back four during set pieces and long balls that Stoke intermittently dwell on.

Simon Mignolet, 25, has years to come by in the league and is a smart buy for the present and the future. He hasn’t hit his peak yet, considering goalkeepers advance in form when they are in their late 20s.

Centre Backs

Daniel Agger and Kolo Toure

Brendan Rodgers has half the equation in the centre half’s role solved with Daniel Agger looking like the best defender in the team. Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel could still sneak into the lineup for his stalwart physical presence but Toure has abundantly proved his consistency during the pre-season tour.

Brendan Rodgers seemed reluctant to partner anyone with Daniel Agger but Kolo Toure in the Asian Tour, indicating that his affluence towards picking a fast, robust centre back in the Dan with the Ivorian’s composed and positioning game.

Kolo Toure’s early days in Manchester City and time in Arsenal revealed his ability to stick to guarding the physical superiors of the Premier League.

His prominence to fluidly dispose the possession from the back four to the midfield or chip in a cheeky long ball or two to the front line was visible in the games against Olympiakos and Thailand too.

Unless Martin Skrtel sparks some wonder in the remaining preseason, he looks set to warm the benches with another periphery amongst the ranks in Sebastian Coates. Till then, Daniel Agger will start on August 17 partnering Kolo Toure in the heart of defense.

Right Back

Glen Johnson

This season could well be it when Martin Kelly eclipses Glen Johnson at right back, given the youngster has a finer balance of attacking and defensive prowess. But till Kelly can keep fit and avoid his redundant troubles with injuries, Johnson will be Rodgers’ first choice at the right flank.

Johnson’s fluency in aiding the attack could break the deadlock between both sides at Anfield, while he has to pragmatically stay back and keep guard against Marc Muniesa or Jermaine Pennant.

Liverpool’s no. 2 is also a beast in terms of body frame, which will aide Liverpool against a monstrous Stoke City lineup with the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Peter Crouch, Cameron Jerome, Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross.

Rodgers decision to pick a left footed player at right wing might work as well. The fluctuation in footwork with either Downing or Aspas at left wing with Glen Johnson behind them will work in tandem as the latter has never been shy to make runs to the final third.

Jose Enrique

Left Back

Jose Enrique

The transfer window has provided more speculations as to if Rodgers will purchase a left back to have an understudy to Enrique or perhaps, take over his mantle from the lineup.

Enrique is not the fastest left back to be reckoned with, neither does he makes compelling attacking runs into the penalty box. Liverpool’s weakness since Risse hit a slump in 2007 has been to find a resurgent left back, with a host of players since occupying the position, before Enrique was purchased.

Another worry for Rodgers at this position is the EPL’s perennial threat from the right side of its wings (Enrique’s opposition) which has scuppered Liverpool’s flow in several games. During preseason, Enrique was sloppy in clearances too and continually wayward in fortressing the defense.

However, one thing favoring the Spanish international is his size, and against Stoke, he could be utile enough to curb the opponent’s visceral game.

Defensive/Holding Midfielder

Lucas Leiva

The Brazilian has subtly ascended to this position, and now rightfully can be stated as one of Liverpool’s best players. His presence not only assures the likes of Steven Gerrard and Phillipe Coutino to make virulent runs forward, but provides a formidable link between defense and attack.

Lucas’ inability to not flourish in the goal scoring column is not unbeknownst but he makes it up with his crafty playmaking and commensurate distribution of the ball across different thirds of the pitch. Not troubled by the mismatch in height, the defensive midfielder lunges into tackles, often eventuating as the victor.

Liverpool needs a balance in the 4-3-3 system without too much focus being shifted towards the attack; Lucas warrants this with his ability to feature between defense and the two attacking midfielders in the formation. 2013-14 might be his big chance to earn a call-up into the Brazilian National Team for the World Cup next year.

Key Matchups

Daniel Agger versus Peter Crouch

The Englishman’s authority in air is renowned but he should not expect it to be plain sailing against Daniel Agger. Crouch will also go up against Toure, however, Agger will be the one Brendan Rodgers tasks to mark the 6 feet 7 inches striker. Mark Hughes might hope for a speedy recovery from Brek Shea or Cameron Jerome to be more involved in the game – in order to distract either Agger or Toure from pertaining too much towards Crouch.

Marc Muniesa versus Glen Johnson

While it remains to be seen if Muniesa or Pennant will line up on the left side of the midfield, Johnson will need to more watchful towards the former for his blistering face, deadly crosses and toppy footwork. Johnson might have to be on the ascendancy to hinder Muniesa’s dribbling that earned him praise at Barcelona, but also keenly come back despite long runs up front – a weakness well documented of the English right back.

Possible changes

It will be very unlikely for Mignolet, Agger or either of the full backs to lose their place on Game Day but if Rodgers needs an impetus to give Skrtel a deserved first team chance, he might have to do it in this game.

Stoke pose a huge threat aerially and Toure, although boasts a bagful of experience, isn’t as magisterial as Skrtel in air. The Slovak’s height is an onus for Rodgers to start him, for he can mark either Crouch or Jerome – an uncertainty with Toure.

Having said all this, Toure was by far the most comfortable defender in Liverpool’s preseason so far. To remove him from the lineup might not be too smart after all as it could spoil the chemistry he has forged with Daniel Agger.

Who will it be? To be safe, I am going with Toure but it might not be a surprise to see Martin Skrtel at centre half against Stoke.

Analysis of the opponent’s attack

Stoke’s primary weapon of attack is through aerial balls but with Mark Hughes at helm, the club could sheepishly sneak in a goal through creative passing and run-ins. Jermaine Pennant and Marc Muniesa will be the kernels in the game for Stoke, to pump in as many as crosses as possible with Crouch and Jerome eagerly awaiting it in the penalty box.

Wilson Palacious may not remain silent either, and might force Lucas to come out of position to matchup against him, which could in return disturb Liverpool’s flow.

As the game progresses, Stoke might resort back to 4-4-2 to win back possession or even a 4-3-2-1 with Crouch playing up alone. If either of the formations eventuates over the course of the game, Liverpool will need to move players converging inside – from the spread that both teams will employ with 4-4-2.