Talking Tactics Column: Formations for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool until January Transfer Window

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers spoke openly about a wide range of subjects to a group of fan websites last week and one of the most interesting concepts that cropped up was the idea that, with a lack of final third options open to him, Rodgers may have to come up with a tactical alternative for the "interim" until he can strengthen again in the January transfer market. Since Rodgers came into the club it has been made abundantly clear that the first team would be following the 4-3-3 tactical blueprint that he had used at previous club Swansea City and which the Reds have already seen in action in the seven competitive games the new boss has taken charge of. The manager also admitted that some of the younger players might get a chance earlier than anticipated to cover for those positions which don't yet have the depth that Liverpool require to compete on four fronts. There are two important factors to consider when discussing Rodgers' alternatives if he is to break with the 4-3-3 system for now; first is that, regardless of changing the base formation of the team he might start with, he will not wish to deviate from the match approach that he has been trying to instil in the players, nor look to play the game in a different style. Ball retention, trying to up the tempo of the passing, pressing high up the pitch and patiently building attacking moves through the phases on the pitch will all still be the manner in which Liverpool try to win games. Secondly, he will not wish to switch too many players' roles around as they try and get to grips with the expectancies of them in the new system, lest he set back the team as a whole by perhaps a couple of months in attaining the ability to play in Rodgers' own image and to his own style. Switching Systems Finding a suitable interim tactic could, though, offer Liverpool a short- to mid-term benefit; if they find one which is successful then: a) they already will have players suited to playing in those particular new roles, and b) it will give Rodgers and the Liverpool players an alternative in future matches, should the 4-3-3 not be working. Which, then, might be suitable tactics for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers to look at from now until January? Before finding what they could switch to, it is important to understand the principles behind the system used at present. The basic layout then: two full-backs, two center backs, three central midfielders and three forwards. Watch a game on your television and you will likely see, pre-game, the Reds line up in the following way when the team sheets are announced: But the problem is that this graphic bares very little resemblance to the reality of the formation. Rarely if ever will you see the three midfielders in a straight line, or equal distances between the back four and the midfield, and the midfield and attack.