A PROTOTYPE OF 2014? RODGERS IS GOING BACK TO TAKE LIVERPOOL FORWARD

The 2013/2014 will was fill Liverpool fans with joy but ultimately disappointment. With 3 games to go, the reds only needed 7 points to win their first league title in 24 years. However an untimely slip and a naive display at Selhurst park left the reds with 4 points from the final 3 games and eventually failed to win the league title. The 2014/2015 season was the complete antithesis of the 2013/2014. Bar a period between February and early April, Liverpool were dreadful and the season finished an unpoetic way as Liverpool were demolished 6-1 away at Stoke on Steven Gerrard's last game for the club. The aim or feeling around the club is a return to the 2013/2014 season in terms of style of play and mentality. Obviously that is almost impossible to do, but recent signs and signings seem to be headed towards that direction. Firstly, players have come and gone in these past 2 years. Raheem Sterling, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, all played prominent roles in that 13/14 season, but the biggest absentees are talismatic captain Steven Gerrard and in my opinion the best striker in world football in the shape of Luis Suarez. Those two players can never be replaced. They arguably had the biggest impact than any other member of the squad. Gerrard has been replaced with James Milner(experienced versatile head), Emre Can (DLP) & Jordan Henderson (as captain), depending on the view point you take. Luis Suarez has been replaced, shamefully by Mario Balotelli and now Christain Benteke. Both signings in terms of style of play, are nothing to what Suarez is like. Both signings show obvious difference in what Liverpool play, and what they actually play. We can only hope the latter signing doesn't turn out like the former. Raheem Sterling left Liverpool under a cloud and in the eyes of many Liverpool supporters, good riddance to bad rubbish. His antics from December onwards were quite disgraceful. Jordan Ibe is the one many look to replace Sterling. Personally, i feel Ibe, can go on to be as good or even better than Raheem, he just needs to work on some parts of his game. Roberto Firmino is an interesting prospect. He comes into the club similar to the way Suarez came. He was known, but what he actually could do wasn't all that known, and comes in with a hefty fee, but less than another of club's signing . What the Brazilian does would be interesting to see. Nathiel Clyne is an instant upgrade on the Glen Johnson. The signings of summer 2014 weren't all that great, in fact, only Adam Lallana, Alberto Moreno & to a lesser extent Lazar Markovic & Dejan Lovren offer hope of showing the potential on which they were brought into the club for. Now that we've spoken about the players, let's talk about the systems. In that 2013/2014, Liverpool played many systems like Brendon Rodgers likes, but two systems really strike this writer. The 4-3-3 and the 4-4-2 diamond. 

The 4-3-3 above  is self explanatory. The few problems this could have is, Sturridge never really performed the wide role as good as Suarez the few times they exchanged roles during games. Milner replaces Gerrard in midfield, but Milner isn't a DLP and although Jordan Henderson has played that role in a few preseason matches, this system would leave an already suspect defence even more open to danger. 

For the 4-4-2 diamond, gives Liverpool more balance, as a proper DLP in Emre Can is played but the problem is, one attacking player has to be left out and for reasons of price tag (Firmino & Benteke) and well known ability (Sturridge & Coutinho), it's hard to pick on. A diamond requires the forwards to  spread wide to pin opposing full backs, back and allow the 10 to slot into the forward position. Based on this, Firmino & Sturridge are best forwards in such situations. However Coutinho isn't one to get into the box, the same reason Rodgers preferred, Sterling as the 10 in 13/14. Firmino would be the best option for the 10, but that now lives a spot in the forward line. Divork Origi could fill that position but you don't see him as anything more than a squad player. 

Other successful systems under Rodgers such as the 4-2-3-1 (in 13/14) and the 3-4-2-1 (in 14/15) could/would most definitely be used over the course of the season. However in my opinion, the 4-3-3 would serve Liverpool more, when everyone is fully fit. Replicating the 13/14 season is almost impossible, but with the signings, rapid counter attacks and high intense pressing all returned in preseason and with Rodgers in the last chance saloon, expect, some beautiful football from Liverpool once again.