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{ Who goes where? the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll gives Kenny Dalglish a multitude of line up options Photo: ACTION IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES/AP

Option 1: 4-4-2 Kuyt, Gerrard, Meireles, Maxi, Carroll, Suarez
Much of the focus on Liverpool’s deadline day signings has been on how they will dovetail as a partnership. Suarez certainly seems to feel he can work well with a player of Carroll’s type, and a traditional 4-4-2 would provide a platform for the two to forge a little-and-large partnership.

It may, though, cause trouble in midfield, where Liverpool possess no natural wingers – Dirk Kuyt is a converted striker, while neither Maxi Rodriguez nor Joe Cole are left-sided – while a central two of Raul Meireles and Steven Gerrard do not provide much defensive cover. One would most likely have to miss out to allow Dalglish to include the more defensively steady Lucas.

Option 2: 4-3-3 Gerrard, Lucas, Meireles, Kuyt, Carroll, Suarez
This is the formation Dalglish seemed to be inching towards against Fulham and Wolves, before Torres’s departure. Gerrard, Lucas and Meireles are a formidable midfield, providing cover where necessary, eliciting the best from the Portuguese and allowing the captain to roam, while Kuyt functions far better in a more advanced role.

Suarez, meanwhile, has experience playing on the left side of a front three for Ajax and Uruguay and, though he is not naturally left-footed, his menace would come from cutting inside to work off Carroll, employed in a target man role. That may suit the former Newcastle striker, too, who is equally adept with his back to goal and as an aerial threat in the box.

Option 3: 4-2-3-1 Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Meireles, Suarez, Carroll
Still the system with which most of Liverpool’s team are comfortable from Rafael Benitez’s time at the club, it would allow Carroll to function effectively as a straight replacement for Torres. Suarez and Kuyt would play from slightly deeper than in a 4-3-3, joined by Meireles in a more advanced role, with Lucas and Gerrard sitting.

Dalglish’s only concern with this system would, most likely, be a lack of pace on the flanks, a problem which has bedevilled Liverpool for years. Maxi and Joe Cole provide slightly more guile than Kuyt, but neither possesses a turn of speed. With Suarez looking to cut inside, Carroll may find his supply line cut. Playing Suarez and Kuyt further forward would alleviate – if not cure – that ill.

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Labels: Carroll, January, Liverpoolaposs, spending, spree, Suarez, Telegraphcouk