Suarez Stays, Carroll Stays

So what does this mean?

I found myself asking that question constantly throughout the day. On the one hand, I despise Suarez for his actions in South Africa as well as the Patrice Evra racial saga. There’s a reason this guy is always in the spotlight.

But he also proved to be the only reliable goal scorer on this team last season. He’s going to have to pick up where he left off, because the immediate future does not look very bright in terms of offensive firepower. For all my issues with Suarez off the field, he’s quite good on it. He has a nose for goal and when he’s not hitting the post, he’s usually on point with his shooting. He’s exactly what Liverpool need right now, especially if Daniel Agger is about to depart.

So where will he fit in with Brendan Rodgers’ 4-3-3? Suarez has some experience playing on the wing in a 4-3-3 system and he’s not physically imposing enough to spearhead the “trident”. It seems that duty will fall to Andy Carroll now that he has reiterated his desire to play for Liverpool after turning down an offer from West Ham United. Suarez is probably a pretty natural fit on the wing and Rodgers is quite adamant about the 4-3-3 so it seems the current lineup will look something like this…

Reina

Johnson – Skrtel – Carragher – Enrique

Lucas – Gerrard – Adam/Henderson

Suarez – Carroll – Downing/Cole

Not a terrible lineup, especially if Carroll continues to improve on his form from the latter half of the 2011-12 season. But here’s the thing: I REALLY liked it when Suarez was a second forward with the freedom to roam around. He has a poacher’s mentality and exceptional finishing skills which means he needs to be in front of goal as much as possible. I would rather see something like this…

Reina

Johnson – Skrtel – Carragher – Enrique

Cole – Lucas – Gerrard – Downing

Suarez

Carroll

The 4-4-1-1 allows Suarez the freedom to roam and get in front of goal as much as possible while Carroll can hold up play and try to pounce on any aerial opportunities Suarez might be able to create. Of course, this means an increase in defensive responsibility for Joe Cole and nobody wants that.

But alas, Brendan Rodgers will be implementing a 4-3-3 no matter what. And it’s not the worse thing in the world. It’s just not the best for Suarez if you ask me. The important thing is Liverpool have two quality starting forwards heading into this season and that’s more than you could say a few days ago.

“Walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone!”