What will Hodgson's Liverpool look like?

Under Rafa Benitez, Liverpool generally lined up in a 4-2-3-1 in 08/09 and 09/10, and produced some of the best and worst football of Benitez's tenure during that time span. The question is whether new manager Roy Hodgson (who often uses variations on 4-5-1) will stick with this formation, or try something different. Liverpool's current squad seems to work best in a 4-2-3-1, but that may be we are just used to seeing Liverpool in a 4-2-3-1. Here's a possible set up for Liverpool for next season in 4-2-3-1 (all the formations are assuming the Javier Mascherano leaves for Internazionale, Dirk Kuyt doesn't, Fernando Torres stays and that Luke Young arrives from Aston Villa):


In this set-up, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole can interchange between the left flank and the hole behind Fernando Torres, which would probably be the best option, as it seems that both prefer to play in the hole. Kuyt would be the obvious first choice on the right wing, since he can attack, help Johnson against quality left wingers or fullbacks, or cut inside to add an extra man to the midfield, but there are other options if he leaves, though they don't provide the versatility and work rate that Kuyt does. Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel could also leave, but both might wish to stay, given Hodgson's ability to get the best out of players who struggle under other managers. Also, Maxi's performance at the World Cup suggests that, while his best days might be behind him, he's not the completely spent force that he appeared to be last season with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

Another option for Hodgson would be the 4-4-2 he used with Fulham in the Europa League:


This set up could also be described as a 4-4-1-1 or even 4-2-2-2. For a comparison to Hodgson's Fulham set up, think Torres = Zamora, Gerrard/Cole = Gera, Kuyt = Dempsey/Davies and Jovanovic = Duff. Hodgson used inverted wingers with Fulham, who were able to cut inside easily, which produced a fairly narrow formation (hence the mention of 4-2-2-2). Kuyt had a great World Cup playing on the left for Holland. However, I don't know much about Jovanovic (other than that he's left-footed and can play up top or on the wing), so I don't know if he would work on the right flank. It would be useful to be able to play in this formation, but I don't know if would work as a default.

It will be interesting to see who leaves and if Hodgson makes any more signings. Retaining Kuyt is important. Because of Torres' injuries, I don't think any club (except maybe Man City) would risk the massive transfer fee he would command, so he will probably be with Liverpool next season. Squad depth will be key, I think, because Cole, Torres, Aquilani and Agger have had injury problems, and it would be unrealistic to depend on all of them for every game. Even Gerrard had his share of injuries last season. It will also be interesting to see if anyone from Liverpool's youth squad can get regular games. Those who played against FK Rabotnicki did well. Perhaps Liverpool could try an Arsenal-style youth team for the Carling Cup. There's lots of interesting possibilities for this team in the coming season.