Play it down the middle to get the most out of Robbie Keane
I'M warming to the idea of signing Robbie Keane now - suddenly that addition of just one player makes Liverpool look like they have a formidable attack, rather than just one formidable attacker.
However. That's only if Keane is played in his best position. And that's undoubtedly straight down the middle as a direct partner to play off Fernando Torres.
Otherwise I don't see the point. I mean, what's all this talk from Rafael Benitez about how he can play on the left or the right? I don't get that.
There's no doubt that the best striking partnership in the Premier League last season was Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane.
It must have been pretty decent to see Jermain Defoe off to Portsmouth and keep £16.5million worth of Darren Bent on the bench for most of his first season at White Hart Lane.
And it was all done with Keane down the middle. I don't recall many occasions when he was played on either the left or the right for Spurs and quite rightly too. It's not where he's at his best.
I appreciate Benitez's desire to have versatility amongst his forwards and shuffling his pack really paid off for the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel last season.
But the start of the league season is just two weeks away and that's no time for experimenting or rotating.
Quite simply, Liverpool have to go for the title right from the off - and that means sticking Keane and Torres right down the middle.
It will also help Keane settle quicker. Play him somewhere where's he's not as happy and it will take him longer to get into it.
And if he finds himself drifting wide and not being as involved as much as he'd like to be, it will affect his confidence. So when he does play down the middle he won't be in the best shape to score the goals.
That's why I honestly believe any talk of Keane being good at playing here, there and everywhere should be stopped.
He is a forward. He likes to drop deep now and again to those areas behind midfielder and in front of defenders but that's fine, especially with Steven Gerrard bombing on beyond you.
But if Keane is given that centre-forward role from the off that will really signal Benitez's intention to go for it this year.
It will show he's not scared to have that extra forward in there and it will also prove his determination to not settle for the same amount of draws he had last season.
That crippled his side's challenge. Overall, 12 draws are as damaging as eight defeats which is why you can't be afraid to suffer the odd loss now and again. Get those wins in early and if Keane gets the goals in early, Liverpool will be flying and the title challenge will be on.
It's the perfect time to take advantage as well.
Chelsea could be taking time to settle with a new manager and Manchester United will be without Ronaldo whatever happens.
So it's time for Benitez to put a marker down from the off.
Last year he lashed Torres straight into the centre-forward role he loves and it paid off immediately.
Now he needs to give Keane the same treatment.
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the gaffa just wants some flexibility between his players. this is the modern game where with flexibility its hard for opponents to predict and counter us. luckily you are not the gaffa mark!! bad article.
I couldn't agree more with Sam B. Disjointed, convoluted, disregarding of style, shape and the thread of reason.
Great article Lawro. I personally think that players should only be played out of position in exceptional circumstances. tell Rafa That Ray Kennedy was a one off and to stop using him as an example. Play players in their best positions from the off. Stop experimenting Rafa and play your strongest team and change it for league cup games or for injuries then our massivley oversized squad will all get a game. Get some decent winger(s) and i see no reason why we can't do it this season.