4-4-2 or 4-5-1 (4-2-3-1)

Liverpool have play basically play a 4-4-2 system this season. Sometimes against weaker team Rafa employs a 3-4-3 system. Last season we generally play a 4-2-3-1 formation which transpose to a 4-5-1 when defending. The difference in the latter against a 4-4-2 system is that you sacrifice one striker for a central midfield.

Last season we had only three striker. Initially we had Morientas, Crouch and Cisse. Cisse then was made into a right winger and Morientas was deem ineffective and dropped. That leave Crouch as our main striker and latter we brought Fowler but he was use against weaker team only.

This season we have 3 main striker in Kyuut, Belamy and Crouch plus 1 Fowler! For strategic reason we need to play two of them all the time. No point in having so many striker but to play only one. But against Barca at Barcelona is a special occasion! So Rafa can play just one but will he play just one?

In the midfield last year we had 4 strong center midfielder in Didi, Xabi, Gerrard and Momo. Rafa usually play with three of them at the same time. A strong central triangle is form in the middle will and make it a very hard team to beat or dominate. This system will score less but dominate or neutralize more.

This season we initial had only three strong midfield in Momo, xabi and Gerrard. Gerrard was shifted at the right wing leaving only 2 central midield. So we use 2 central midfield with two flank midfield. and then Momo got injured so Gerrard play in the center again. standard 4-4-2 system.

So for 3 month Gerrard and Xabi played the central midfield. But now Momo is fit again and we suddenly had loan a brilliant player in Masecherano. So who will play in the middle and how many cental midfield, 2 or 3?

Barca will play a 4-2-3-1 one system for a balance formation and use a 4-2-2-2 if Barca will be more adventuress.Against Barca rafa can not allowed Barca with too much of the ball and dominate.

Rafa needs to nullified Barca midfield. One way is too shift Gerrard to the right wing and mark Ronaldinho. the Other system is to use a strong triangle trio in the midfield which can control all aspect o the midfield. So my prediction for is bellow.