I strongly believe the key to winning a football match is controlling he midfield. Midfield is the region from where a team can build up the play, a region for the center of creativity.
Teams like Manchester United know this art very well, hence Sir Alex Ferguson predominantly plays 5 in the midfield in important matches leaving the top scorer Berbatov on the bench. Chelsea plays 3 in midfield but still controls it. The primary reason being their attacking wingmen, Essien the bull, and Lampard as an attacking midfielder.
Manchester City also plays 5 in the midfield but is no way near in controlling it, because Roberto Mancini plays 2 defensive midfielders, there by leaving no room for the extra striker.
Liverpool controlled the midfield when Xabi Alonso was there, now Lucas has stepped into his shoes a bit.
I think the 5-3-2 formation suits Liverpool the best. As there is no RB, LB currently available there is no need to play compulsory LB, RB's. The CB's suited for this purpose are Soto, Skrtel, Carragher. Carrol and Suarez are the strike partners that we are proud of.
Now, playing 5 in the midfield with Gerrard injured makes a tough choice. Lucas would be first choice defensive midfielder. Meireles will surely play as CAM. Kuyt as RM.
The tough choice makes the selection of 2 remaining mid fielders. One position being LM, and other being CAM. Kenny is known to prefer Spearing as CAM under the present circumstances. But I believe that Joe Cole would be a excellent choice for this position. Maxi could fill LM.
Hence the final line up is as follows:
...............Reina...........
........carra...skrtel...soto...
................lucas...............
kuyt........................maxi...
.......meireles...cole.....
....................Suarex......
.........Carrol......................
