Why Liverpool should change formation and reinstate Victor Moses for Fulham clash

Will the Reds be celebrating on Saturday at Anfield? (Picture: Getty) Liverpool host Fulham at Anfield on Saturday looking to recover from their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last week and manager Brendan Rodgers has an almost fully fit squad to choose from – a rare luxury.
The return of Philippe Coutinho in particular is a huge bonus for the Northern Irishman, while fullbacks / wingbacks Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique are available – although the latter may not be fit enough to start after a small operation has seen him miss the last three matches.
Only long-term injury casualties Iago Aspas and Sebastian Coates are out for Rodgers’ side; which leaves him with more than one selection headache.
To begin with, the boss must decide whether to continue with three at the back or return to a 4-2-3-1 shape – which would, of course, alter the balance of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in attack.
Assuming 3-4-1-2 is indeed continued with, Rodgers may opt to bring Coutinho into the number 10 role behind Suarez and Sturridge, moving Jordan Henderson to right wingback and playing Johnson from the left, thus dropping the ineffective Aly Cissokho and youngster Jon Flanagan.

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There are other selection dilemmas for the boss, too. Does vice-captain Daniel Agger return to the side after missing the last six matches since changing to three at the back? If so, which of Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel or Mamadou Sakho would drop out? In midfield, Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva have looked tired and were overrun by Arsenal’s mobile and dynamic midfield last week, therefore should Rodgers bring Joe Allen – who returned to fitness late last month – into the side to add some vital control to the play?
I’d prefer that Rodgers changed to 4-2-3-1 – and bring in Victor Moses, whose pace and direct play adds another dimension in the final third, on the left side of the three. Coutinho and Suarez would then occupy the two other positions behind Sturridge, interchanging and pulling defenders out of position.
This is a Fulham side who, as noted by this excellent analysis, have the lowest number of shots on goal and concede more shots on goal in away games than any other Premier League side. An attacking quartet of Moses, Coutinho, Suarez and Sturridge should ensure a repeat of last season’s 4-0 defeat for the Cottagers.
One thing that Liverpool have been good at under Rodgers is recovering from defeats, and with another international break after this weekend it’s vital they do so against Martin Jol’s side and continue their early season momentum as we enter the crucial, often season-defining, winter months.
Especially because next up is the small case of the Merseyside derby. With Everton at Crystal Palace this weekend the Toffees could find themselves above their neighbours should Liverpool not match their result.