Reds are on their way to start their summer tour in Asia and Australia. This pre-season tour will surely prove to an opportunity for manager Rodgers and his staffs to exercise new experiments. Keeping in mind that Liverpool has a young brigade with certain visions, this is the appropriate time to rehearse.
Let’s have a look at three experiments that Brendan Rodgers should try this time.
Inclusion of Henderson and Allen as a regular:
While the majority of the transfer activities have so far been about the defenders and the forwards, Rodgers seems to have ignored the central midfield. It’s quite clear that Gerrard will take the responsibility as the side’s deep-lying playmaker. And if Lucas Leiva does not provide the physicality and overall defensive attributes to star as a reliable out-and-out defensive midfielder, then what will be the alternatives?
In this case, Rodgers should introduce Jordon Henderson and Joe Allen, both much-maligned options who have shown glimpses of their ability to play in the centre of midfield in the previous season. Both can control the ball quite effectively, which will help them to excel in their performance and Rodgers should wait no more to try out this combination.
Sterling and Ibe as concrete substitute:
Rodgers has strengthened his attacking options with his two summer signings, IagoAspas and Luis Alberto. But that has been countered by the departure of Jonjo Shelvey to Swansea City, who may yet be joined in the departing ranks by Stewart Downing, recently linked by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty to West Ham United.
So, Reds manager should try to build-up the substitutes, given the fact that he has some impressive young talents such as Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe. These two youngsters impressed many critics with their performance against Preston and displayed their potential as the reliable substitutes.
So, Rodgers should give them plenty of time on this tour to get them adjusted to the big league.
Suarez as Left Forward and Coutinho as No. 10:
There are so much speculations about Luis Suarez as he is being linked up with several clubs (including Chelsea, Arsenal), that many has forgotten one fact. What if he finally stays back at Anfield and feature as the club’s main striking option? How will the Rodgers fit in Aspas or Sturridge to the system and provide them with regular playing time?
Well one option may be to build up a squad with the false nine in mind or Coutinho as a number 10, which will increase the fluidity of the side and go with the flow of Rodgers’ philosophies. If this system is played, Suarez may be shifted to the left side with Coutinho in the centre, given the Brazilian’s creativity. The right side may be given to Aspas with the hole behind Coutinho to Sturridge.
The pre season is the time to experiment with all these changes in tactics.
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