Pass and move it's the Liverpool groove?

The team that Kenny Dalglish put out against Chelsea was arguably the most 'Dalglish' side he's put out for Liverpool thus far. This, for an old sentimentalist like me, was pleasing to see.

The back four was based around two centre-backs who can play a high defensive line if needs be (and who can pass the ball - particularly in the case of Agger), full-backs comfortable on the ball and happy going forward, a busy midfielder who does all the hard work (Lucas), a passing midfielder (Adam) and wingers and forwards whose game is based on pace, movement, and slick interplay.

Those last three features shone through for the Maxi Rodriguez goal was lovely which was a genuine showing of ''pass and move''.  Adam, Suarez, Bellamy and Maxi all played a part.

Now, this should warm the cockles of Liverpool fans but there are problems ahead.

Firstly, the game against Chelsea was undoubtedly Charlie Adam's finest game in a Liverpool shirt. This - again - is good news. However, it is quite evident at this stage that Liverpool cannot line up regularly with a spine of Carragher-Adam-Carroll. It is not mobile enough, it is not quick enough and it just isn't as good as the alternative.

There are a number of reasons for this. Carragher is still the best reader of the game in the team and a fine defender. However, to cover up for his lack of pace, the entire defence has to play deeper. With Agger and Skrtel, Liverpool can play a higher defensive line if they please which means that the two centre-backs are far closer to Adam. He appreciates this (partly as there is less ground for him to cover) but partly because Liverpool genuinely build from the back. Skrtel also benefits from this. He looks more comfortbale alongside the elegant Agger than he does with Carragher.

A cursory look at Barcelona, and Liverpool, dear reader, are not Barcelona, will show you exactly how important it is to have a player at the centre of defence who starts the moves. Pique is arguably the most important player to the Barcelona system and Liverpool should look to ensure that we play a system that gets the best out of Agger. I would contend that such a system would also get the best out of Adam - defence, midfield and attack do not, or at least should not, exist in isolation of each other.

At the same time, Adam appreciates the movement, pace, mobility and work-rate of Suarez, Maxi, Bellamy and Kuyt. That sort of movement brings the best out of him - he's a superb reader of the game and can spot people making clever runs. The work-rate of those around him again allows him to get his head up and do what he does best. He was instrumental in the Maxi goal (dispossessing Mikel) and the Johnson goal (with a beautiful pass).

The problem is: If the system is working, does Carragher get back into the team? Recalling him brings in years of experience, great positioning and a fine football mind. It does take away the passing ability and drags the average position of Adam and company back. Such a system forces Adam to play more Hollywood Balls.

Moreover, if the system is working, how does Carroll fit in on a regular basis? And, if he does not, how do you handle Carroll? A £35m supersub sounds extravagant but it is particularly difficult when that player is clearly someone who needs substantial gametime to get fit and settled at Anfield.

Happier news is that the other big money signings could fit into the current system. Henderson, in many ways, has better technique than Kuyt and - at Sunderland - created a lot of goalscoring opportunities (as many, over the last two years, as Nasri and Modric). He is improving (he played very well when he came on against United and against Chelsea) and could easily fit into that whirling system of a front-four. He would benefit from playing behind Bellamy and Suarez. Downing, although not as clever in his reading of the game or in his movement, could start on the left in place of Maxi.  Happier news still is that Gerrard will excel in such a system when he returns.

The problem comes back to Carroll: whilst Adam can provide balls for him to knock down to Suarez; whilst Downing, like he did for Rodwell for England, can put in sublime crosses for the big man; and whilst Henderson can create clever openings for any striker (or, at least, did whilst at Sunderland) all that is predicated on the idea that Kenny Dalglish wants to move away from pass and move. Or that he can turn Carroll into a pass and move striker. I don't see it even if I can see how the signings could all work with Carroll.

The issue is: I don't think he does want to move away from pass and move. I think that if you cut Dalglish in half, you'd see the legend ''pass and move'' embossed inside. Dalglish is a canny man, far cannier than most give him credit for (remember when he started three at the back last season), but I think - in his bones - he wants Liverpool playing the way that they used to play.

As we saw with the three-at-the-back, Dalglish is happy to change the system, innovate and play horses for courses. It may be that against City, Liverpool will play two defensive midfielders and bring in Carroll to pose a different threat. As I say, whilst he is a pragmatist, I believe that deep down he wants Liverpool to play, and win, a certain way. Two of his big names will, at this time, struggle with that system.

RCM