Sterling Sturridge
Coutinho/Lallana
Coutinho/Lallana Henderson
Gerrard.
Can't be any worse than we've been surely ?
Leaving aside Sterling's precise position, I think that has pretty much been the aim - and it's a little disingenuous not to recognise that it's not been possible due to circumstance. Lallana (who was our key signing of the summer) and Sturridge's fitness only briefly coincided at an international get together, while Coutinho's form has only emerged over the last two or three games.
As discussed quite a bit recently, I think we're looking to play the 4231 as a 'defensive' shape, with one of.the CMs (often, but not always, Gerrard) dropping into the deeper role during spells of possession, the other pushing on to link up with the attacking trio behind the striker, or running on beyond. The idea, I think, to bring out the best of the attacking shape from last season while releasing Coutinho, say, from too much defensive duty - still having to press, but not dropping into a strict CM position out of possession. The system needs the 'defensive' energy of both Lallana and Sterling, not to mention the attacking threat of Sturridge.
As far as the midfield two are concerned, then certainly neither Gerrard nor Henderson are at their best with the responsibilities of the shape defensively. Henderson is better pressing higher; Gerrard is better splitting the CBs, playing a delaying role than the covering and tracking he has to do in a two. Arguably, Allen and Can are both more suited, in the breadth of their abilities, to such roles, but don't quite (yet) offer the same quality.
The way of mitigating those weaknesses, of course, would be for us to be more fluent and incisive in attack; to retain possession more; to win back the ball earlier and higher while still in the 'rotated' version of the midfield; and of course to be less brittle defensively, particularly from set pieces. To maximise the time spent in a 3421/343, minimising the time spent holding a 42- defensive shape.
That desperately needs the return of Sturridge, as well as the improved form and blending of Sterling, Coutinho and Lallana.