Nearly three weeks have passed since the Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra incident, Marcus, and as Dalglish has stated not one person from the FA has been in contact with the club(up to last weekend). Will we hear anything this week?
— Noel O' Keeffe, Unknown Location
This is a question from last week, but it's as relevant as ever. The answer is that I'm not sure when you'll hear something regarding this case. Suarez and Evra's incident took place over a month ago, but was quickly overshadowed in the press by the John Terry racism scandal.
We know Suarez and Evra have given the FA their sides to the story and it looks to me like it's a case of one man's word against another. Suarez discussed the case in the Uruguayan press, which the FA will not like.
I'd expect the FA to reveal its findings in the near future, but that's a vague guess more than a concrete answer.
Who do you think is going to win the UEFA Cup (Europa League) this year?
— Silas De Almeida, Bridgewater, Mass.
Silas, I think it's too soon to answer this question, but recent winners seem to come from three categories. The first are powers from lower-tier leagues — outside of England, Spain, Italy and Germany. I would look at the best-performing teams in the Russian, Ukranian, Dutch and Portuguese leagues for early bets.
The third-place teams in the Champions League group stage parachute into the Europa League for the knockout rounds. If a traditional European power enters they would presumably be slapped with the "favorites" tag.
The third category are the teams for whom this is their once in a generation chance to win a trophy. Fulham's run to the final in 2010 is an example.
Each case depends on how the team is performing in its domestic league as winter turns to spring. If it sits in a good league position (with the following season's targets in mind) and a big enough squad, it will field strong teams throughout the competition and have a good shot of winning.
But, as I said earlier, it's way too soon to tell. But if you need early favorites, mine would be: Valencia, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, Udinese or Manchester City.
Thanks for reading and the local support.
Why doesn't Liverpool go with the 4-3-3 since they are lacking goals? Have Agger and Skrtel as CBs, Lucas, Adam, Stevie in the midfield. Downing, Suarez and Bellamy play up front. Let's go all attack like Barca and see what happens.
— Alfredo, Boston, Mass.
As the season progresses you may see Liverpool move in that direction. The first priority for a new coach is often to solidify the defense. Kenny Dalglish has done that. As for your formation, I think it depends on Gerrard's return to action. If he can regain his fitness and form and play a run of games, Dalglish can begin to build the team around his strengths.
As for the Barca style, you have to remember that it is the product of its commitment to playing that way and educating players with the philosophy in mind. Liverpool have the infrastructure and personnel in place to implement a unique style, but it will take years for it to bear fruit.
It's always great to see a question from Boston, Alfredo. Thank you.
Marcus, what do you think about the pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel at centerback? Do you think Carra will automatically get back into the first team when he returns or will it be more of a fight? Also, Eden Hazard says he wants to go to England-what do you think? Thanks, Steve
— Steve, Lakeville, Minn.
Steve, the Agger and Skrtel partnership is tough to break down and has kept consecutive clean sheets (shutouts). I want to reserve judgement until they are matched against top attackers. You may see them take on Chelsea and Manchester City in the coming weeks.
I get the feeling that Carragher will retake his place in the team when he returns. When he will return is not clear, but you know he is doing everything in his power to be ready for those crunch games.
Hazard says he wants to go to England, but I think there's a 50 percent chance he'll go to Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane has been selling him to Jose Mourinho for years and it is hard to say no to a legend. If Hazard goes to England, I can only see him going to Arsenal.
I have family in Houston and I have seen the Dynamo play several times so they are they are my American team and I was made up that they reached the final last weekend. My question is why is the final not at a neutral venue? That Galaxy are at home must give them a vast advantage on the day.
— Steve Forster, Liverpool, U.K.
We have to answer a question from Liverpool, but I didn't expect it to be about MLS.
Steve, the MLS Cup is held at a neutral venue. Normally, the league chooses it before the start of the season (they didn't announce it until May this year). It just so happens that Los Angeles will host and participate in the championship game this year. Not only will they have home-field advantage, but they would have been heavily favored without it. Win or lose, the 2011 L.A. Galaxy is one of the best MLS teams ever.
A home team has participated in MLS Cup finals before. D.C. United beat Colorado in 1997 in front of over 57,000. I attended and covered the 2002 final in New England. The Revolution lost to L.A. in front of over 60,000 fans. It's still a little too painful to talk about that day, so I won't. Thanks for the question.
That's all for now. Thanks for all the questions. I will answer some of the others on Twitter @NESNsoccer, so check there for more insight.
Photo via Flickr/thepurplefreak
