Alot has been said about the direction Houllier will take the side and alot of people think that Houllier is trying to steer Liverpool the same way he took France, build a solid team then let it evolve, When he arrived he tended to play 442 and switch to 451 three quarters of the way through the game, then he moved from 451 to 442 & 4411, this year we've seen 41212, 433, 442, 4132.
However the more I look at the team and the signings coming in the more I think that this year peoples predictions might actually come true, a 433 variant may be the way he is going.
Houllier has been playing around with a 433 formation for a while now, you could argue that this formation has provided us with our best two performances of the season, the Newcastle and Roma games were our two outstanding performances last seaon. We showed a flair and attacking skill that has been missed while playing other formations.
The French system is to have a lone striker with two other layers sitting behind who are given License to rome in and around the penalty box, down the flanks, drop deep push forward. The midfield is made up of two tough tackling all action midfielders protecting the teams playmaker, and then your back four with attacking full backs.
France Line up
--------DT--------
--TH---------CD--
------------------
----PV--ZZ--EP----
------------------
BL---FL----MD---LT
Trezeguet the main striker supported by Henry and Dugarry, Veira and Petite provide the midfield bite and Zidane between the two is the creative force, the full backs overlap and provide width along with Henry and Dugarry who float around.
Liverpool currently appear to be buying players that will accomodate this formation.
Liverpool (possible)
--------MO--------
--EH----------ED--
------------------
----DH--BC--SG----
------------------
JR---SH----SH---MB
Owen as the lone striker with Heskey and Diouf providing the support both in the box and down the flanks. Hamann and Gerrard are the bite in midfield with Cheyrou the creative force, Riise and Babbel provide support and width with H&H doing the usual job.
Without the ball this formation can simply turn a three man midfield into 5 with Heskey and Diouf dropping into your conventional wide players.
If people are right and Houllier IS building towards a 433 variation based on the French system then we could see the attacking football people crave.
Will it happen? we seem to be buying for it. I doubt we'll see it all the time but maybe it is the way Houllier is heading.
=====================================
Yesterday the Guardian printed quotes from Diouf that stated that during his meeting with Houllier his role at the club was discussed. Diouf confirmed that Houllier sees Diouf playing behind Heskey and Owen in an attacking three.
