Which strikers will start in Liverpool’s starting eleven?

Of all the positions within the Liverpool starting line-up, it is the strikers that will pose the least of King Kenny’s worries as to who will start. Realistically it will be a straight shoot out between Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt, not forgetting the much maligned David Ngog (unless the flop is sold, fingers crossed).

A lot will be dependent on a variety of factors. If Kenny decides to go with a straight 4-4-2 formation, it is likely that Andy Carroll will start off as the target man, with Luis Suarez playing off of him. Many will be licking their lips at the prospect of this partnership, despite detractors heavily weighing in with disparaging opinions of Andy Carroll as being a one dimensional player who does not justify his heft thirty-five million price tag. One also can’t dismiss Dirk Kuyt’s knack of nicking vital goals in pertinent games. His workhorse attitude for his teammates, selfless endeavours for the team over the years and the recent emergence of his partnership with Luis Suarez towards the end of last season cannot be dismissed so lightly.

Luis Suarez is a dead cert to start regardless of whether or not Kenny Dalglish decides to go with two up top or a front line of three, with Suarez forming the focal point possibly supported by two wide men. With Suarez a dead cert to start, as stated before it will be between Carroll and Kuyt, in regards to who will be starting alongside the feisty Uruguayan. But with three strikers all having different qualities there’s still seems to be something missing from the current crop of Liverpool strikers; A fox in the box if you will and someone with a vast amount of pace. A fourth striker of quality is certainly needed to help add depth to our forward line.

Some have mooted Daniel Pacheco as being the man help fill the void that currently exists. Versatile in the sense that he can play across the front line, his trickery and pace could help pose problems for defensive opposition in the Premier League. Andy Carroll is certainly synonymous with adding an aerial dimension to Liverpool’s attack but what he and Dirk Kuyt lack is pace and as Anfield legend Alan Hansen has previously proclaimed “if there’s one thing any defender hates facing its strikers who have an abundance of pace”. Strikers who have that can create doubt in the minds of defenders who will be wary staying tight to forwards for fear of leaving space and also be afraid of laying off them for fear of creating shooting opportunities.

Luis Suarez plays off the front man, so perhaps another forward in the mould of the treacherous Michael Owen is what’s required. A fourth striker with a bit of pace and know how in the final third, just to offer another dimension to our attacking line. If compared to Manchester United for instance, they have a varied attack. With the likes of Rooney, Owen, Berbatov and not to mention last season’s revelation Javier Hernandez.

There’s no doubt in my mind for the major games, King Kenny will start with two front line strikers, and it is something he has stuck with throughout his career. In my opinion Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will start because they complement each other in terms of style. Where Carroll is much like John Toshack with his ability to win aerial headers, hold up play and finishes the odd goal, Suarez is much like Dalglish. He can score mesmerising goals that make you marvel at his genius, as well as open up with defences with incisive and mind-boggling passes. With Ngog likely to be sold and Kuyt likely to play third choice striker, Liverpool either have to go back into the market for another forward or possibly promote the likes of Daniel Pacheco to the bench. Who would your starting front two or three be?

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