Liverpool can take a step closer to realising their Premier League title dream when they take on Chelsea on Sunday – but they might be forced to do so without star striker Daniel Sturridge.
The England international has been absent with a hamstring injury picked up in the 3-2 victory over Man City, and while he maintains hope of returning for the clash against his former side, Sturridge remains touch and go whether he will feature.
Despite Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho threatening to play an understrength side as he targets European success, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will want to field his strongest possible line-up for what will be a decisive fixture in the title race.
Fortunately for Rodgers, his side are accustomed to tactical shuffles, so if need be they should be able to cope without the lethal Sturridge, who has found the net 20 times in the league this season.
Below is how Liverpool could look with and without Sturridge this weekend.
Liverpool with Sturridge
When Daniel Sturridge has been available, Brendan Rodgers seems to prefer playing with a tried and tested midfield diamond. It was with this formation that his Liverpool side performed so admirably away to Manchester United, demolishing the soon-to-be ex-Premier League champions in their own backyard.
When Daniel Sturridge has been available, Brendan Rodgers seems to prefer playing with a tried and tested midfield diamond. It was with this formation that his Liverpool side performed so admirably away to Manchester United, demolishing the soon-to-be ex-Premier League champions in their own backyard.
Despite some early tinkering in the opening stages of the season, Rodgers has found joy with this formation, which seems to resonate well with his players and plays to individual strengths as well as offering good balance for the team as a whole.
It relies on Steven Gerrard operating in his newly-found midfield pivot position, a role the Liverpool and England captain has taken to with aplomb, while affording the hugely impressive Raheem Sterling freedom at the tip of the diamond to do what he does best, with either Philippe Coutinho or Joe Allen and Lucas to marshall the space in between.
By opting for this formation, it also gives Luis Suarez greater freedom to operate behind Daniel Sturridge, who is able to act as a target man when necessary, while also pulling defenders out of position with his smart running.
Liverpool without Sturridge
While it is hardly ideal, Liverpool have shown that they are more than capable of coping without Daniel Sturridge this season.
While it is hardly ideal, Liverpool have shown that they are more than capable of coping without Daniel Sturridge this season.
Should the England man fail to make the starting XI, then Rodgers will likely make a slight tactical shift, which is only slightly different that the effective midfield diamond, but ensures that it doesn’t change his players’ roles too much.
The key in this regard is balance, and as Rodgers showed in last weekend’s victory over Norwich, he is able to compensate the lack of an out-and-out striker by effectively utilising two number 10s, behind Luis Suarez, who spearheads the attack.
In the 3-2 success, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho adopted those roles, dove-tailing behind Suarez to make it incredibly difficult for the Norwich defence to track their movements.
In this setting, Sterling and Coutinho are able to work independently of each other, although when one drifted wide towards the touchline, the other took up a more central position behind Suarez.
One downside to this role is that Suarez can become isolated but, as he has proven frequently this season, his presence alone is enough to cause problems for defenders.
While Liverpool’s attack has been the fulcrum of their success this season, adopting this formation would also allow Rodgers to provide additional cover for his sometimes shaky-looking backline.
Although Liverpool conceded twice against Norwich, they defended well throughout the contest, largely due to the roles Joe Allen and Lucas took up. In this formation the pair operated more narrowly, effectively sitting either side of Steven Gerrard to create a central three, and it is no surprise that Allen and Lucas recorded among the most tackles during the match.
Rodgers may find this approach works best against Chelsea, who will undoubtedly offer a more potent attack threat than Norwich, even if they play a comparatively understrength side.
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