The 'as it stands right now' starting 11

Sturridge out for 2-3 weeks.

                           Mignolet

Manquillo      Lovren       Sakho       Moreno

                   Hendo       Gerrard

     Lallana            Sterling          Markovic

                            Mario

Actually I prefer this

Actually I prefer this

It's the same players.
Nice to actually have a squad though.

It's the same players.
Nice to actually have a squad though.

Exactly. We look strong enough still it's great.

Your formation seems to be more suitable and effective to be honest.

Sterling at the top of the diamond, Markovic and Lallana each side and Balotelli striking.

Exactly. We look strong enough still it's great.

Your formation seems to be more suitable and effective to be honest.

Sterling at the top of the diamond, Markovic and Lallana each side and Balotelli striking.

More of a triangle in that formation, but would be great to see how Lallana and Markovic fare.

More of a triangle in that formation, but would be great to see how Lallana and Markovic fare.

Yeah and if not so well we can look to our bench with Coutinho, Lambert and Allen all as possible impact subs who can allow a formation change if needed.

Sturridge out for 2-3 weeks.

                           Mignolet

Manquillo      Lovren       Sakho       Moreno

                   Hendo       Gerrard

     Lallana            Sterling          Markovic

                            Mario

Problem with this is that Gerrard can't play in as one of a double pivot midfield. 4-2-3-1 is great, but it has been demonstrated not to work with Gerrard in the side, due to his reduced mobility. As our best team right now does include Gerrard, a 4-3-3 is much more likely.
As for the 4-3-3 formation posted above; I'd be surprised if Lallana played in one of the central midfield roles if we were to play a 4-3-3. I'm not saying he can't, just that its not a position he is familiar with so would be an odd position for his debut (1 game there last season).

On a more general note; I would say that England's greatest failure in the world cup, was to play a Gerrard Hendo double pivot, in a 4-2-3-1. Take Rooney out for Wilshere, Milner, or Lallana - players who add more energy to a midfield to couple Henderson, and we'd have been much stronger. I don't rate Wilshere or Milner that highly, but a balanced team built composed of the right players will beat a team which puts the best names on the team sheet.

Mignolet

Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno

Gerrard

Henderson  Lallana

Markovic  Balotelli  Sterling

Mignolet

Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno

Gerrard

Henderson  Lallana

Markovic  Balotelli  Sterling

You really don't like Markovic starting on the left do ya?!

Swap Raheem and Markovic then I'd agree with this team Si.

To be honest we've got a pretty easy run of it in terms of fixtures for the next few weeks so I think we'll cope fine. The disappointment is that Studge/Balo wont get the chance to build a partnership until then.

You really don't like Markovic starting on the left do ya?!

Swap Raheem and Markovic then I'd agree with this team Si.

To be honest we've got a pretty easy run of it in terms of fixtures for the next few weeks so I think we'll cope fine. The disappointment is that Studge/Balo wont get the chance to build a partnership until then.

Which is a shame because there were a couple of lovely moments of link up play between the two against Spurs on Sunday. Looks like it will be one hell of a productive partnership.

You really don't like Markovic starting on the left do ya?!

I think it's because I prefer Raheem off the left if he isn't playing centrally Luke.

I think it's because I prefer Raheem off the left if he isn't playing centrally Luke.

Fair play mate, each to their own as they say.

The disappointment is that Studge/Balo wont get the chance to build a partnership until then.

We'll have to leave the S & M 'til later so.

Mignolet

Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno

Gerrard

Henderson  Lallana

Coutinho

Balotelli  Sterling

Markovic, Allen, Lambert and Can as impact subs.

                             Migs

                Lovren             Sakho
Manquillo                                     Moreno
                           Stevie

                Hendo               Can

                           Sterling

                    Balo          Lambert

Subs: Jones, Kolo, Glen, Cou, Allen, Markovic, Borini

---------------Mignolet---------------
---------------------------------------
-----------Lovren----Sakho----------
---------------------------------------
---Manquillo---------------Moreno---
---------------------------------------
----------------Gerrard---------------
---------------------------------------
------Henderson-------Allen---------
---------------------------------------
------Sterling---------Coutinho------
---------------------------------------
---------=-----Balotelli---------------
---------------------------------------

Markovic
Lallana
Lambert
Can
Jones
Skrtel
Flanagan

                     Mignolet
Manquillo Lovren Sakho Enrique
                Lucas  Gerrard
                        Allen
      Balotelli Lambert Sterling

 

                     Mignolet
Manquillo Lovren Sakho Enrique
                Lucas  Gerrard
                        Allen
      Balotelli Lambert Sterling

 

NO NO NO NO NO.
Can or Allen in beside Gerrard.

NO NO NO NO NO.
Can or Allen in beside Gerrard.

What's wrong with Lucas?

What's wrong with Lucas?

Nothing, if he's in Gerrard's position.

Mig
Manquillo - Lovren - Sakho - Moreno
Gerrard - Can
Sterling - Coutinho - Markovic
Balotelli

While Stu and Hendo are injured I'd go with...

                     Mignolet

Manquillo Lovren  Sakho Moreno

                      Gerrard

                Allen         Lallana

                     Coutinho   
     
               Sterling   Balotelli

...with Can, Markovic and Lambert to come off the bench.

Great to see we have depth now to absorb injuries to the first team.

-----------------Mignolet--------------
-----------Lovren----Sakho----------
Manquillo-----------------Moreno
------------Gerrard---Can-------------
Henderson-Sterling-Markovic
------------------Mario--------------------
Gerrard and Henderson and I guess Can will stable the team but the creativity of sterling markovic and balotelli will sort us out offensively!