Our best attack? Fans have their say

Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez, Suso, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique are among those jostling for position along with the aforementioned duo - and so earlier this week we asked fans, if they were Liverpool manager, which players would make up their forward line?

The debate was played-out on forums and in comment sections and here we bring you a selection of some of the best responses...

Ravenhill wrote:

I'd go with a front three of Suarez, Sturridge and Borini, with Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson in midfield. That selection enables Rodgers to change around the formation as he pleases from a 4-3-3 (with either one or two holding midfielders depending on opposition) to a 4-2-3-1 for more width or even a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond.

G25 wrote:

Our two most effective forwards are Suarez and Sturridge - without a doubt. Movement, intelligence, technical ability, skill and goal threat. With Sturridge's pace and power, he can be the focal point of the attack - but as was shown against Manchester United with his mobility, he will vacate that space and allow others to fill it. Suarez is a creative genius and will roam the full width of the pitch, but he looked a different player in the second half with top-class support. I would be tempted to start Suarez from the left, but give him a free role in the system. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery and Andres Iniesta play there often but by no means hug the touchline, tending to drift infield into pockets of space similar to David Silva and Samir Nasri at Man City. Both [Sturridge and Suarez] are interchangeable, as seen from Sunday's game and can fulfill both roles of scorer and provider.

JayRome wrote:

Two strikers 'non-rotating' with Steven Gerrard in close proximity behind the two. Gerrard created the goal against Manchester United and will always cause problems for defences just behind the strikers. Assaidi should be given more starts on the left wing as he draws out defenders and usually goes around them and cuts in towards goal giving the striker more time to position themselves. That is when we have been at our most dangerous and most entertained. He's a joy to watch. Raheem has been at his best on the right wing and has a good understanding with Suarez. He looks more comfortable there with both him and Suarez running at defenders.

Vi9wFromTheKo6 wrote:

I think I'd have Sturridge in the middle, Suarez left wing and Borini on the right to start the game. As the game starts, I'd have the front three interchange with Borini's movement through the middle creating room for Sturridge and Suarez. That would cause havoc. With Sterling replacing Borini or Sturridge when needed, we have pace either way we play it. Suso, I think, would be perfect to take Borini's role of running through the middle from the right wing because of his passing style and the way he will cut in on his left foot and play a clever shot, pass or cross.

LFUFaninEssex wrote:

Sturridge definitely needs to play as the tip. His pace up against the last man will always keep two defenders busy and concerned about playing a high-line. This creates space for Suarez and Sterling in the narrow inside forward channels, with Gerrard in the hole making midfield runs from deep. I'd play Lucas and Henderson as two holding players to also give license to Johnson and Enrique to attack the lines in support of Suarez and Sterling. This would give us the right balance of defensive solidity and power in the middle of the park, with creativity and energy at the top end of the field. The apprentice Shelvey, who I think has the potential to be a great, can slot in for Henderson if we need a more attack-minded focus, and act as cover for the master, Gerrard. 

murshid wrote:

I'd go for Suso and Suarez interchanging behind Sturridge with Sterling switching from left to right flank and back again. Suso can also interchange with Sterling. A young frontline with both pace and guile. Two good left footers and two good right.

OurTimeAgain wrote:

I would like to see us play a 3-5-2 formation. Johnson and Downing are perfect players for wingback positions. Gerrard can make the team tick as usual, with Lucas doing what Lucas always does so well. Suarez would provide support to the midfield with his tenacity and grit and provide the necessary guile to remain the focal point of the team's attacks. Sturridge and Borini are capable of tearing defences apart with their running and goal-threat so Suarez would have two options ahead of him. I loved seeing them all on the pitch for 30 minutes and cannot wait to see it for a full game, hopefully tried in this formation in the future.  

tiscam wrote:

I've noticed many people pointing out Borini's movement, so I would have him predominately in the middle as he would create a lot of space for the likes of Suarez and Sturridge flanking him to come inside. But ultimately, I'd just have the three of them constantly interchanging.

AaronSuarez7 wrote:

Personally, I think starting all three out-and-out strikers (Suarez, Sturridge and Borini) would be a big mistake tactically. As good as it looks on paper, it would severely limit our options during the course of a game. Over the course of the season we've seen how astute Brendan is at reading the game and how effectively he can use his substitutes to alter how a match is going and improve our team's performance. Against Manchester United he showed that quality once more. I expect over the coming weeks we'll see Sturridge come in and replace Sterling in the front line, Suarez will get pushed out to wide left where he mainly plays for Uruguay and a position he often takes up naturally on the pitch anyway. Daniel himself will take the central role and Downing will complete the three on the right (where he scores more cutting onto his left). This will then allow Brendan to use Fabio and Raheem as impact players that can come on and really change a game.  

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