Along with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Joe Cole’s addition to the Liverpool squad has meant that Roy Hodgson has assembled a dynamic attacking trio that has the makings of being one of the most deadly combinations in the Premier League. The question for Hodgson is how he will accommodate all three in the team when Cole and Gerrard are seemingly vying for one place.

Since joining Liverpool, Cole has expressed a desire to play for the Reds in his preferred position in the hole behind the striker. Cole got his wish when Hodgson chose to select the ex-Chelsea man in his favoured position in Sunday’s pre-season friendly defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach with Steven Gerrard being used in a deeper role along side Cole’s fellow new signing Jonjo Shelvey.

The attacking midfield role is something that is familiar to Cole as he started his career at West Ham playing the very position he wants to fulfil at Liverpool. Cole’s more familiar role as a wide player came as a result of necessity rather than choice as both Chelsea and England utilised Cole in the wide left role which has been a problem position for club and country.

Ever since he was a teenager, Cole has displayed the attributes necessary to succeed in the position. He brings huge technical ability along with the guile, vision and flair to a position where such skills are hugely valued.

While Cole has expressed a wish to play in the attacking midfield spot, the player that occupied that spot for most of last season under previous boss Rafa Benitez was fellow England international and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. However, with that being said, I don’t believe that playing behind the striker is Gerrard’s most effective position.

Gerrard started initially as a more defensive player in his formative years at the club and it is this defensive grounding (though not often seen) that has led me to believe that Gerrard’s best position is in the centre of midfield as a box-to-box midfielder rather than playing behind Torres.

Gerrard’s effectiveness for Liverpool has come from his ability to arrive late in the box to score goals. Playing in behind the striker would severely hamper the opportunities for Gerrard to make those late surges into the opponent’s box for which he has become famous for.

Where Gerrard and Cole will ultimately line up for Liverpool is down to the formation that Hodgson chooses.

Given Torres’ class and the lack of another proven striker in the squad, Hodgson could choose to go for a 4-2-3-1 with Mascherano (if he stays) or Aquilani alongside Gerrard in centre midfield. Cole would occupy the attacking midfield spot; with Ryan Babel, Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt vying for two spots out wide.

More likely is that Hodgson will choose to play Cole in his unfavoured left position as part of a 4-4-2 which would allow him to play new signing Milan Jovanovic, Ryan Babel or possibly David N’Gog or Daniel Pacheco alongside Torres while still accommodating Gerrard and Cole in the same team.

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