Sunday’s victory against Norwich took Liverpool one step closer to their first Premier League title.
Like most others, I thought that Liverpool had a chance to break into the top four this season, but – also like most others – I never thought they’d be the front-runner going into the last few games.
Although it’s far from the best Premier League season – in terms of team strength, at least – what Liverpool have achieved so far is stunning. One reason for this could be that they’ve not been under a huge amount of pressure from either the press or their own supporters. Liverpool’s fans are often the most vocal on Twitter when someone says something negative about their club, but when I made a comment earlier this season that they could win the league if they sorted out their defence I didn’t get the volley of hatred that I’d half expected; instead I was greeted by intelligent debate (and calls for us to boost Suarez’s stats in Football Manager to make him better than Messi).
The lack of pressure and lack of European football have certainly helped Liverpool, but what has helped them more has been the belief that Brendan Rodgers has instilled in his players. He also appears to be following the advice that I was once given by a very wise ex-manager: “Know your strengths, and pick the team according to their strengths.”
Sounds obvious, right? But what Rodgers has done is build his formation around his squad, not try to shoehorn players into his own favourite formation. He also hasn’t been scared to play younger or less fashionable players.
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Premier League
Unfashionable pair: But Flanagan and Henderson have shined
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I doubt that Sterling would have got half of the opportunities to play at any other Premier League team at his age; Flanagan has been a great squad player, giving 100 per cent every time he plays; Rodgers has stood by Jordan Henderson (who has had a great season) when many other managers wouldn’t have given him as long to settle and, despite some negativity towards Joe Allen from many Liverpool supporters earlier in the season, since he’s become fully fit he’s repaid his manager’s faith whenever called upon. On top of that, Gerrard’s new role has been pivotal and Coutinho has had a great first full season, continuing the progress he’s made since joining the club in January 2013.
The plaudits, however, have mainly gone to Sturridge and Suarez. Both have scored lots and made numerous assists, despite their relatively low ‘goal to shot’ ratios. But then they’ve been having so many shots between them, that doesn’t matter – one of my first football heroes was Luther Blissett, who was dubbed by some as Luther Miss-it, but he still finished top scorer in the top flight due to all the chances created for him.
But what has this got to do with England? Well, for me, the parallels are there. Never before a major tournament like the World Cup have I seen so little expectation of England doing well. Normally by this time of year we’d already have seen paper talk about England winning the tournament. Social networks would be awash of people claiming it would be a disaster to not make the semi-finals. This time round, there’s nothing.
So what if Roy took a leaf out of Brendan’s book and used the most simple of footballing instructions: “Just score one more goal than the opposition.” Do we have the players who can do that, and to play with Liverpool’s attacking 4-3-3 formation that has worked so well for them this season?
It helps that so many of the Liverpool team are English. There’s no reason that, with a bit of bravery and not just using the old guard, Roy couldn’t start with Sturridge, Sterling, Henderson and Gerrard. Possibly with spaces for Glenn Johnson and Flanagan too (although Kyle Walker, Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw might have something to say about that).
Michael Regan - The FA
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The Red connection: Gerrard and Henderson could translate their league form onto the international stage
An attacking England would not be what was expected and could flummox the opposition. World Cup games tend to be cagey affairs, so why not use the Liverpool way of all guns blazing for the first 20 minutes and scare the opposition?
A forward line of Sturridge, Rooney and Sterling, a combination of pace and power, would certainly scare most club sides. A midfield three of Gerrard in the ‘regista’ role he’s been playing for much of the season (winning the ball and acting as a very deep lying playmaker) with Henderson and Lallana would work well. That might not be the most easily recognisable midfield that England could play, but that combination would work well with any of those aforementioned full-backs bombing up the wings.
Sure, that leaves no places in the starting XI for regulars such as Lampard, Barry, Wilshire, Cleverly, Young, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carrick or Milner, but then for some of them the formation would need to change too, unless they changed their games – and none, with the exception of Barry, have had amazing seasons. Some are also great options for when you’re already 3-0 up to slow down the game and soak up later pressure (as would Tom Huddlestone if he gets a look in).
Now all we need is for other teams to play their normal World Cup cagey way, and for people to not stir up anything to make others think England could do well if they just get their formation right, then England could win the World Cup.
Oh…
Miles is Studio Director at Football Manager, the fee for his column will be donated to Warchild. You too can donate to Warchild by texting SAFE to 70444. Text costs £3.00 plus network charge. War Child receives 100 per cent of your donation. Obtain bill payer’s permission. Customer care 0844 847 9800. Charity No 1071659. You can text STOP to 70004 to opt out of War Child communications.
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Sunday's Victory Against Norwich took Liverpool One Step closer to their First Premier League title. Like Most others, I thought that Liverpool had A chance to Break Into The Top Four this Season, but - also like Most others - I never thought they'd be. . The Front-Runner going Into The last few Games. Although it's best Premier League Far from The Season - Strength in terms of team, at least - what Liverpool have achieved so Far is stunning. One Reason for this could be that They've Not. been under Pressure from either A huge amount of their Own The Press or Supporters. Liverpool's Fans are often The Most vocal on Twitter when someone says negative Something About their Club, but when I Made A comment that they could Win The earlier this Season. Defence League if they sorted out their hatred that I did not get The Volley of I. 'D Half expected; instead I was greeted by Intelligent Debate (and Calls for U.S. to Boost Suarez's stats in Football Manager to Make him better than Messi). . The Lack of Pressure and Lack of European Football Liverpool have certainly helped, but what has helped them more has been The. belief that Brendan Rodgers has instilled in his Players. He also appears to be Following The Advice that I was given by Once A very Wise EX-manager: "Know your strengths, and Pick The team According to their strengths.". Sounds Obvious, right? But what Rodgers has done is his Formation Build around his Squad, Players Into his Own Not Try to shoehorn favorite Formation. He also has Not been scared to play Younger Players Fashionable or less. Tottenham Hotspur V Liverpool - Premier League. unfashionable Pair : But Flanagan and Henderson have shined. NIKE.COMEngland Authentic N98 Men's Track Men's Football Stadium JacketGO TO TO STORENIKE ShortsGO STORENIKE.COM2014 England. . COMEngland Authentic Men's Polo ShirtGO STORESHOP TO NOW. I doubt that Sterling would have got opportunities to play at any Half of The Other Premier League team at his Age; Flanagan has been A great Squad Player, giving 100 per Cent every time He Plays; Rodgers has stood by Jordan Henderson (who has had a great season) when many other managers wouldn't have given him as long to settle and, despite some negativity towards Joe Allen from many Liverpool supporters earlier in the season, since he's become fully fit. He's repaid his manager's Faith Whenever called upon. On Top of that, Gerrard's New Role has been pivotal and Coutinho has had A great full First Season, Continuing The Progress He's Made since joining The Club in January in 2013. The plaudits, however, have mainly. Gone to Sturridge and Suarez. Both have scored Made Lots and numerous assists, despite their relatively Low 'Goal to shot' ratios. But then They've been having so Many Shots between them, that does not Matter - One of My. first football heroes was Luther Blissett, who was dubbed by some as Luther Miss-it, but he still finished top scorer in the top flight. Due to all The Chances Created for him. But what has this got to do with England? Well, for Me, The Parallels are there. A Major tournament Never before have I seen so like The World Cup England Little expectation of doing Well. Normally Already by this time of year we'd have seen Paper talk About Winning The England tournament. would be Awash Social Networks of People claiming it would be A Disaster to Not Make The Semi-finals. This time Round, there's nothing. So what if Roy took A Leaf out of Brendan's Book and used The Most Simple of footballing Instructions: "Just Score One more Goal than The opposition.". Do We have The Players Who Can do that, and to. Formation 4-3-3 with Liverpool's attacking play that has worked for them so Well this Season? It helps that so Many of The Liverpool team are English. There's no Reason that, with A bit of bravery and Not Just using The Old guard,. Roy could not Start with Sturridge, Sterling, Henderson and Gerrard. Possibly with Spaces for Glenn Johnson and Flanagan Too (although Kyle Walker, Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw Might have Something to say About that). Michael Regan - The FA NIKE.COMEngland Authentic Men's Polo Men's Football Stadium ShirtGO TO STORENIKE.COM2014 England ShortsGO TO. STORENIKE.COMEngland Authentic N98 Men's Track JacketGO STORESHOP TO NOW. The Red Connection: Gerrard and Henderson could Translate their League form onto The International Stage. An attacking England would Not be what was expected and could flummox The opposition. Tend to be World Cup Games Affairs cagey, so why Not Use The Liverpool Way of The First 20 minutes for all guns Blazing and Scare The opposition? A Forward Line of Sturridge, Rooney and Sterling, A combination of Pace and Power, would certainly Scare. Most Club sides. A midfield Three of Gerrard in The 'regista' Role He's been Playing for much of The Season (Winning The Ball and Acting as A very Deep lying playmaker) with Henderson and Lallana would Work Well. That Might Not be The Most easily recognizable midfield that England could play, but that combination would Work Well with any of those aforementioned full-Backs up The Wings bombing. Sure, that Leaves no Places in The Starting XI for Regulars Such as Lampard, Barry. , Wilshire, Cleverly, Young, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carrick or Milner, but then for some of them the formation would need to change too, unless they changed their games - and none, with the exception of Barry, have had amazing seasons. . . Some are also great options for when you're Already 3-0 up to Slow Down The Pressure Game and Soak up later (as Tom Huddlestone would if He Gets A Look in). Now all We Need is for Other Teams to play their. normal. World Cup cagey Way, and for People to Not Stir up others think England could do anything to Make Just Well if they get their right Formation, then England could Win The World Cup. Oh ... Miles is Studio Director at Football Manager, The. Fee for. his Column Will be Donated to Warchild. You Too Can donate to Warchild by texting SAFE to 70444. Text costs £ 3.00 Plus Network Charge. War Child receives 100 per Cent of your Donation. Obtain Bill payer's Permission. Customer Care 0844 847 9800. Charity. no 1071659th. You Can Text STOP to 70004 to opt out of War Child. U.S.: @ DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook.
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