Liverpool FC: 5 Formations the Reds Could Use Under Kenny Dalglish This Season

Last season, Kenny Dalglish fiddled with the Reds lineup at different times as he began to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the players on his new team. Some worked, some did not, but most all showed some promise.

This year, Dalglish has an even larger assortment of players to choose from at the moment with his new signings. Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, and Stewart Downing are all expected to have some affect on what the King will use this season. The addition of Alexander Doni also will ease the worry of an injury ever sidelining Pepe Reina.

Another key factor is the return of Steven Gerrard. Dalglish spent the majority of his time in the hot seat last season without his talisman, and a fully fit Gerrard adds more to the Liverpool lineup than many give him credit for. He has the ability to lift the team and his own play to incredible heights—see his second half hat-trick against Napoli last season as an example.

Along with the return of Stevie G is the return of on-loan midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The Roman born and AS Roma-developed 27-year-old has already impressed in preseason and could make a case for himself to remain on Merseyside.

All in all, there are likely to be at least one to two more signings to take into account but, for now, the majority of next season's squad can be guesstimated. With that in mind, here are five possible formations that the Scottish legend might utilize as the Reds attempt to storm the League, FA Cup and League Cup en route to a return to European action.

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Possible Starting XI: Pepe Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger, Johnson; Downing, Gerrard, Meireles; Carroll Suarez.

This formation allowed the Reds to walk away 1-0 winners over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season. It should have been a 2-0 victory, but Maxi Rodriguez missed an open net that would have had the Reds up 1-0 at the half.

However, that same formation also saw them crash to a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic, and then a 3-1 loss to West Ham United in their next two EPL fixtures.

I could see this formation making several appearances next season, but it will most likely be the least seen of Dalglish's possible strategies.

Andy Carroll focused Starting XI: Reina: Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson; Lucas; Downing, Adam, Gerrard, Suarez; Carroll.

If the Reds have a match where they wish to go with a lone striker up front, the 4-1-4-1 could be their best option. It would allow a holding midfield to police the halfway line, much in the style that Javier Mascherano would do at times, and give the four attacking midfielders the ability to push the attack.

This formation would benefit Lucas as it would give him a familiar role that he has began to make more and more his own in the last season as possibly the best midfielder on the squad.

Incoming players Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam would also benefit as this is their kind of lineup to play in as it would keep them pushing the attack. Steven Gerrard would be able to press forward much like he did during the 2009-10 season when he bossed the attacking midfield role like few before him in support of Fernando Torres.

Suarez would also retain his place, as his ability as a left-sided player could see him keep an edge over Jordan Henderson. However, there is another way this could play out.

Luis Suarez focused Starting XI: Reina: Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson; Lucas; Kuyt, Adam, Gerrard, Downing; Suarez.

Suarez could also play the main strike role in this position, getting Dirk Kuyt back into the squad on the right and utilizing Downing's versatility by switching him to the left.

Carroll and Suarez Possible Starting XI: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher, Agger; Downing, Aquilani, Gerrard, Adam, Meireles; Carroll, Suarez.

If the Reds want to pack as many of their midfielders as possible on the pitch at once, the 3-5-2 formation is the ticket. I could only see this as being utilized with Liverpool wanting to absolutely press the attack with reckless abandon.

However, that could be fun to watch, but also as nerve-racking as Hades. Both ways that the formation could possibly be staffed have the Reds searching for the back of the net as it inserts their most creative attacking seven yet.

Kuyt and Suarez Possible Starting XI: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher, Agger; Henderson, Aquilani, Gerrard, Meireles, Downing; Kuyt, Suarez.

This version has players in their most natural attacking positions and could be a better suited combination than that of the first option. It also is a formation that could see Jordan Henderson shine.

Carroll and Kuyt Possible Starting XI: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Johnson; Lucas; Downing, Gerrard, Suarez; Carroll, Kuyt.

Dirk Kuyt showed his worth last season under Kenny Dalglish, as the Dutchman proved he still had it in front of the net as he rose to the occasion to be Liverpool's leading scorer.

His past seasons have seen him be pushed out wide right, but under the King he is more likely to revert to his old striking role with Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson as his possible replacements on the right.

A Carroll-and-Kuyt front line would put the Reds' two best headers of the ball up front, ready to receive any crosses, corners, or free kicks, and Kuyt's reputation as a poacher at times would possibly help him to free up more space for the Geordie Giant.

Kuyt and Suarez Possible Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Adam; Henderson, Gerrard, Downing; Kuyt, Suarez.

This second version combines Kuyt and Suarez with the hopes of bringing back the magic the two had when the Dutchman scored a hat-trick against Manchester United. It also utilizes all the newest outfield signings from the summer.

Power Forward Style Possible Starting XI: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Johnson; Kuyt, Gerrard, Adam; Downing, Carroll, Suarez.

The first way the Reds could utilize the 4-3-3 is with a traditional swinging-crosses approach that would see Suarez and Downing pushing out wide to try to provide aerial service to their lumbering forward Andy Carroll. But that is not the pretty picture to visualize.

Barca Style Possible Starting XI:Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Johnson; Aquilani, Gerrard, Meireles; Downing, Kuyt, Suarez.

This has to be the most beautiful way to imagine a Liverpool 4-3-3—even though it most likely won't ever be seen this way, I could not resist dreaming a little dream.

Putting the Reds' most creative midfielders together in Steven Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani and Raul Meireles, would make for a fluid quick midfield that could rival many more teams than is believed. Although Kuyt is no David Villa by a long shot, he has good passing ability with quicker feet than Carroll and would be ideal with the tools Liverpool currently posses.

Luis Suarez is not Lionel Messi, but he certainly bested the Argentine at the Copa America, and is perhaps on the rise to much greater success than many believed when he made the move to Liverpool. Stewart Downing also is a solid attacking forward and, although believed over-priced, he will prove very valuable to the Reds this season.