I prefer Liverpool to play a fluid 4-1-4-1 formation.
Somewhat like how they played against Chelsea in the semis.
Let me elaborate a little on why I think this way.
The reasons to play a back 4 is obvious and solid enough. Nothing
much to say there.
Having a energetic defensive midfielder who can break up plays from
the opposition and shield the back four is ideal defensively. As
Benitez had said before, if you have players like Sissoko and
Hamann in that position, they make the challenges and even if they
don't get the ball, the defenders can mop up the loose balls.
Shields the defence very well. I think Sissoko plays that role very
well. How many interceptions did he make on Saturday? His weakness
of course is after he gets the ball, he is not good at distributing
it. In fact he passed the ball right back to the opponents on many
occasions. Hamann is a better distributor of the ball. But of
course Hamann is not as young and energetic as Sissoko. But that's
my case for playing the holding midfielder.
Gerrard and Alonso control the centre of the midfield in the 4 man
midfield. Gerrard is given the licence to roam foward and run in to
bang shots at goal. Somewhat like a "support striker" to Crouch up
front. But then any of the 3 midfielders (except maybe Alonso who
would play a bit deeper) can be that "support striker".
Kewell picks himself on the left side of midfield. He can run at
the right backs and put crosses in for Crouch and Gerrard. Or he
can cut into the centre himself and make shots himself.
On the right is where we have a bit of a problem. I still see
Garcia as a striker more than a midfielder or even winger. But
imagine a strong right midfielder somewhat like Kewell on the right
doing exactly what Kewell does on the left and you have a very
strong balance.
If you look at it, it's like dividing the team into 2. The defence
which is the back 4 and the holding midfielder who form a darn
solid wall, and a fluid 5 players in the form of a playmaker
(Alonso), and a target man striker (Crouch) and 3 other runners
around the penalty area and flanks.....
I think if Liverpool can get a solid right midfielder who can run
at backs and cross and can shoot, it would make this formation very
formidable. I think Benitez used this formation to great success at
Valencia.
Perhaps a key to the success of such a formation attacking wise
would depend on the intelligence and movement of the attacking
players, ie Crouch, Kewell, Gerrard and ?Gonzales plus the
playmaking ability of Alonso.
I'm still not quite sure if Alonso is really the playmaker for such
a system.
Imagine Kewell overlapping with Gonzales frequently, Gerrard
roaming all over the pitch up front but yet the shape of the team
defensively is still solid.....the prospect is frightening for
other teams!
Forget about the strikers. Let's get a solid solid right midfielder
in addition to Gonzales!