Should Lucas Leiva Be Restored to Liverpool Line-Up for Title Clash vs Man City?
Liverpool have risen to the top of the Premier League in England after a fantastic run of form which has seen them win nine straight league games, beating rivals such as Everton, Arsenal and Manchester United along the way.
Now right in the midst of a title fight—leading it, in fact—the Reds face their biggest challenge yet: A home game against Manchester City, who are two places and four points behind Brendan Rodgers' team, but who also have two games in hand.
City are regarded as the biggest threat to Liverpool's title hopes by most, meaning Rodgers will once again have to carefully select his side to counter their opponents' strengths and scythe through their weaknesses where possible. Striking such a balance at times means changing around starting personnel, with midfielder Lucas Leiva in the running to be involved after an impressive second-half performance against West Ham United at the weekend.
But would including Lucas, at the expense of Philippe Coutinho or Joe Allen, be the right move for Liverpool?
A Choice of Systems
Liverpool's two starting formations of choice over the past four months or so have been either a 4-3-3 or a diamond midfield. In either case, a 1-2 shape in central midfield is the starting point, with the front line restructured accordingly to allow the team to attack to spaces as the manager best sees fit.
Of late, Manchester City have aired a 4-2-3-1 most often, with David Silva flanked by Samir Nasri and James Milner or Jesus Navas in the line of attacking midfielders behind a striker.
That may be altered by Kun Aguero's return from injury, though it's not certain the Argentine will be ready to start.
Liverpool boss Rodgers may decide that the 4-3-3 is therefore the most balanced system to offer natural protection to his full-backs with the likes of Raheem Sterling tracking back, but it would require a great sacrifice on the part of one of the forwards, likely Luis Suarez, to do the same job on the opposite flank.
A diamond midfield leaves Suarez and Daniel Sturridge central in attack, and gives Liverpool an overload in midfield, but they could struggle against City's overlapping full-backs in wider areas.
Lucas in the Diamond
Whether in the 4-3-3 or the diamond midfield, Lucas is likely to play the same position: One of the two central midfielders ahead of the controller, Steven Gerrard. Lucas no longer occupies this deepest role in midfield, with Gerrard playmaking and protecting from there instead.
However, starting Lucas and Henderson in midfield gives plenty of energy and commitment to pressing and tackling the opposition when in possession, and this could be what swings Rodgers' decision in both starting Lucas and choosing the diamond. Both Lucas and Henderson will cover the areas in front of their respective full-backs, following wide runners and doubling up against the threat down the channels.
The Reds' No. 21 is also assured in possession, receives and passes on the ball with regularity, but he also has the ability to spring the odd longer, high-quality pass into the final third. He won't always make these, but he has good vision and can make those searching passes at pace, which could be especially important for this particular game.
Balance Required
Liverpool will attack Manchester City because that's how they play. Manchester City will also look to attack Liverpool because they have one of the most formidable attacks in the European game.
As such, the Reds will need to maintain the ability to defend stoutly in the face of some extended periods of pressure, and therein lies another reason Lucas may get the nod over Allen to start with. He offers a blend of ball-winning ability and quick transition play, safe passing in the centre and reliable, committed running off the ball.
He might not be the most exciting player in the squad, he might struggle to get into the team for most of the rest of the season, but home against Manchester City in particular looks to be a fixture which Liverpool want to call on Lucas' services for as they seek to make it 10 wins on the bounce.
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