Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager clearly stated that his new 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2 system has been designed not only to integrate his two strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge but to get the best out of both.
Rodgers has tried several formations to accommodate both the strikers but none proved to be a long term remedy. He understood that Suarez is not a no. 10 and playing him behind Sturridge is all but doing injustice to his wealth of talents. Likewise, playing Sturridge out wide restricts his potential to a major extent. Hence, the new system, which thus far looks a master piece idea from the gaffer.
However, not only the SAS combo will benefit from this system – three other Liverpool players should excel into this formation.
Glen Johnson – See, in this formation, Johnson won’t start as a right-back. At the same time he won’t start as a right-winger either. But he will have the luxury to move forward and join the attack, which he is very good at and likewise he can always drop back and help the defenders out.
Many believe that Johnson should have been tried as a winger like Gareth Bale but that wouldn’t have helped his game at all. Like Dani Alves of Barcelona, Johnson’s main strength is the sudden burst of pace and timely run into the box, exploiting the mistake of the wide midfielders. If he stations himself in the wing, his pace will be constant and become predictable.
Jordan Henderson – Rodgers probably has noted enough on his notepad and that is evident with the heaps of praise he ushered on him after the match against Crystal Palace. With Johnson covering the right flank, this is the ideal opportunity to bring him at the central midfield.
Philippe Coutinho – The Brazilian is tailor-made for this formation. He couldn’t have wished a better thing from his manager than this. Operating in the hole as no 10 or a trequartista in the 3-4-1-2 formation, this is where he could be a nemesis for the opposition defenders. The trio of Suarez-Coutinho and Sturridge will be something to cherish about. Again, hats off Rodgers!!!
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