I'm hugely impressed by Toure and Id love to see himself and Agger start at the heart of defence but I'm not sure Rodgers knows quiet how to accommodate all of the players in that department without resorting to three centre backs.
In an ideal world, the back two would be Agger and Skrtel, with Sakho & Toure
chomping at the bit. He sidelined Martin in favour of Carra for half of last season,
if he does similarly the first half of this season using Toure, he'd need to justify
that with
results and solid defensive displays (if it aint broke!).
Luckily the injuries at the back have contrived to make the current selection choice
easier for him & as you say he
may use Johnson slightly further forward and stick
with 3 at the back in the short-term. But then we look a bit unbalanced (overloaded at
the back imo) if Lucas comes back in...
I think he needs to sit down with Skrtel and sort it out. Say to him, I'm putting my faith in
you, now prove me right!
The advantage there is Martin doesn't push for an exit at Christmas (which he could easily unless
there's serious momentum about our challenge), but is kept on his toes & Toure is ready to
jump in and there for the entire campaign as opposed to wearing himself out or getting injured.
Sakho will surely find opportunities as the season wears on and just needs to be reassured that
his day will come and to pick up as much as he can in the meantime and be ready when called
upon.
I'd keep in simple with:
Johnson, Skrtel Agger, Enrique
Lucas
Meantime, thought Hendo did his chances of inclusion in the World Cup squad no harm
today. No doubt the watching England manager (em, Roy f**king Hodgson) will have
noted his energy and growing authority today - even if it was at home to Palace. Needs
to stick a picture of Graham Souness up in his locker and grow a moustache!
What I liked about today was the two big athletic but technical 23 year-olds in the team
(Hendo & Sakho), need at least another two of them to be a credible force in the league.