4-3-3
With Liverpool having a £15m bid rejected for the Aston Villa left-winger Stewart Downing there is an obvious lack of width in Kenny Dalglish's squad. To get around this a central three of Steven Gerrard (fitness permitting), Charlie Adam and one of Lucas Leiva or Jordan Henderson could sit behind Luis Suárez, Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt, with the Uruguayan offering width on the left and the Dutch forward naturally drifting out to the right. With Lucas, who was the Liverpool fans' player of the year last season, the most likely option as the trio's holding player, it would make sense for Adam to play slightly in front on the left, with Gerrard occupying the same position on the right. Adam's ability to spray long-distance passes from central midfield to either flank was one of Blackpool's major weapons last season and will go some way towards offering Liverpool a range of passing that they have lacked since Xabi Alonso's departure. This formation would also put the onus on the left and right full-backs to attack more. Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly are both equipped to do so. If Liverpool do not sign a new left-back before the season starts Johnson may switch to left-back with Kelly beginning the season on the right, where he was impressive for Liverpool last season.
4-4-2
If Liverpool want to accommodate all their new signings as well as their captain then Jordan Henderson may have to play as a right midfielder in a more traditional formation. From right to left at home: Henderson, Gerrard, Adam, Raul Meireles. From right to left away: Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard, Adam. These two varied line-ups depending on the strength of opposition do not immediately look pacey, but whichever four Dalglish chooses would not lack invention. With teams perhaps having wised up to the threat and movement of Suárez is could be that having four players with the ability to play short, threaded passes in midfield instead of three could keep defences guessing and Suárez scoring. Henderson's crossing ability would still ensure Carroll was provided with the service he requires to be a threat in the air, with Suárez drifting left to provide the ammunition for the big centre-forward on that side.
4-1-3-2
It may be that Meireles is sold before the season starts, along with Alberto Aquilani and Joe Cole. But having improved dramatically under Dalglish's stewardship the Portugal international is the one player who is most capable of playing the one-touch football that Dalglish's Liverpool sides of yore were capable of – and it may be that Liverpool's owner, Fenway Sports Group, is not willing to cash in its chips just yet. If Liverpool really want to cut loose at home and go for teams it could be that Dalglish overlooks Lucas and selects Meireles, Gerrard and Henderson as a midfield three, with Adam sat behind as a footballing equivalent of a quarterback. Meireles would be the player expected to get forwards and support Carroll and Suárez, using his clever movement to offer himself as a third forward, perhaps running into the space vacated by Suárez when the forward drifts left. Henderson, again, would drag his marker out to the right freeing up space for Gerrard (who is looking increasingly likely to play a more conservative role in his 30s) to direct things from the middle.
Of course, the formations above are assuming that the Liverpool captain is fit at start of the season. Please offer your suggestions below the line.
