Back in November, Stewart Downing seemed a world away from establishing a regular foothold in the first team (). He seemed down and really needed to shift his focus and effort up a gear. Now, nearing the end of the season Downing appears to have done just that. With the creative burden taken from his…

A familiar dilemma threatens to confront Liverpool this summer; to embrace a wayward son or cut him adrift. It has become an almost annual conundrum, largely due to the previously immovable Alberto Aquilani, and for a second consecutive summer, Andy Carroll is that particular subject.

Brendan Rodgers has made clear, through his actions at least, that…

Since the signings of Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho in the January transfer window, has been increasingly difficult to predict Liverpool's formation for individual games.

With Sturridge, Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing all capable of playing in various roles, Brendan Rodgers is capable of switching from one shape to another without deploying anyone out of position,…

A midfield trio of Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen and Steven Gerrard appears a little too cautious on paper, but their collective performance in last week's comprehensive 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic will have encouraged Brendan Rodgers, who likes to fill his sides with as many passers as possible.

Rodgers had been using a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring…

A peculiar feature of Liverpool's difficult away games under Brendan Rodgers is his tendency to completely change his side's formation at half-time: away at Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United he's dramatically altered his side after an underwhelming first-half performance. Now, especially after the weekend embarrassment at Oldham, he's under pressure to get it right from the start.

Following the arrival of…