Can King Kenny Accommodate Steven Gerrard?

The return of Steven Gerrard to the Liverpool first team has been understandably met with excitement from Reds fans. With the skipper back in the fold, Liverpool have one of the best players in the Premiership back on their teamsheet.
However, the question is being asked in some quarters as to where exactly Gerrard fits into the Liverpool team. While he will undoubtedly be eased back in gradually, doubts will remain over the midfielders ongoing fitness after being out for a long spell with a troublesome injury.
There is a long standing argument that it is difficult to build a team around Steven Gerrard. Rafa Benitez often struggled to fit his captain into his preferred position, while Fabio Capello played him wide left during England's ill-fated 2010 World Cup campaign.
As an additional complication, Gerrard is arguably no longer the main man at Anfield. While there was a time Gerrard was the darling of the supporters, sales of Luis Suarez shirts now vastly outnumber Gerrard, although it must be taken into account the captain has been out of action so far this season.
Of course, such is the talent possessed by Gerrard, boss Kenny Dalglish is unlikely to leave him out of his side. The answer to Gerrard's inclusion is likely to be the exclusion of striker Andy Carroll and the deployment of Suarez as a lone striker.
The £35m Geordie has been a major disappointment so far in his Liverpool career and is likely to be sacrificed with Dalglish going for a 4-5-1 formation which I personally see as Liverpool's best bet.
With the pace and craft of Craig Bellamy and Stewart Downing on either flank with Gerrard supporting Suarez, Lucas sitting and Charlie Adam spraying the passes, Liverpool have a very strong attacking element which should provide enough attacking flair at home and enough counter attacking pace away to pick up points and really push for a place in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League.
Saturday's 2-1 win at home to Wolves got the Reds back on track after two defeats on the bounce but with a tough run of fixtures coming up, the sight of Steven Gerrard back in a Liverpool shirt is just the lift the supporters need.
Fans will be praying the captain's injury woes are behind him and he can finally regain his best form.
Written by Colin Hill, a sports blogger who writes about Serie A shirts.