In a new Talking Reds piece, Simon Steers breaks down how a new form of balance is reaping rich rewards for Brendan Rodgers and his developing Liverpool team.

It's all about the balance

One of Brendan Rodgers' biggest challenges this season has been to try to fuse the attacking intensity of last season into a more balanced team structure, giving us more solidity and a foundation we can build upon.

Throughout this season we have seen an evolution of the exciting identity that we have been building under Rodgers; the early stages were a difficult transition as new players were bedding in, and with two games a week the manager had less coaching time to work with the players, making the reinvention of the team more difficult.

One of the things this Liverpool side has been searching for in Rodgers' time at the club is the right balance, and with the introduction of the 3-4-3 the Northern Irishman has found a system that gives us solidity in defence and fluidity in attack. It is a system that suits how Rodgers wants us to play, and is flexible enough to accommodate different variations in the midfield and attacking roles.

A case for the defence

The defence has been collectively excellent since December. Huge kudos needs to go to Simon Mignolet, who has overcome a difficult period and has been in outstanding form. It goes to show that the confidence and mentality of a goalkeeper has to align with ability - and Mignolet has responded and rebuilt his confidence so that we are now seeing the best of him.

Mignolet has been helped by a settled back three in front of him. Another player that has benefited is Martin Skrtel, who looks so much more comfortable as the central defender in a three. He has been dominant, assured and back to his best since the transition to three at the back.

The two players that have come into the side, Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can, have both been outstanding. Can has a long-term role in central midfield, where he can grow into a top player, but he is that good he can play anywhere. And he has added both calmness and a top-class range of passing from defence.

The biggest difference in our defence has been Sakho, who is emerging as a leader - on and off the pitch - at the club. He is quick and strong, and although he can look uncomfortable in possession at times, is actually very good with the ball at his feet.

A confident, settled defence has been the key to our form since Christmas. At some stage, when Can moves into midfield, it will also be an easier transition into the team for Dejan Lovren, who will want to prove his worth.

Mobility in midfield

Another key to our recent form is the mobility we now have in midfield. In the wide areas we play with two wing-backs. The role is tough as it covers the length of the pitch, but it enables Rodgers to accommodate our speedy and creative wide players.

The emergence of Jordon Ibe has been fantastic to watch; he has shown great maturity since he has come into the side and we have only scratched the surface on how good he can be.

Lazar Markovic has also impressed in the wide role. It isn't his best position and you can see that he is still learning the defensive side, but he is a real threat going forward. The role also gets the best out of Alberto Moreno, who has slipped under the radar after a great start, but is growing into an integral member of the side. He has great energy but also a good football brain, and provides a real attacking threat.

In the central areas the midfield duo are working in both the defensive and attacking thirds. Jordan Henderson has all of the tools to be a box-to-box midfielder, as does Can. Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva are perhaps more specialist midfielders, but both can offer a variation that gives us different options in different games.

For example, Lucas can offer more defensive solidity, while Allen helps us to retain and recycle possession. And, of course, Steven Gerrard still has a role that has been further up the pitch in recent months, which is where he has been at his best throughout his career.

Speed and movement up front

The best thing about the 3-4-3 is that the attacking three have so much flexibility - it allows Philippe Coutinho to play in his best position, which is the No.10 behind a quick and intelligent striker(s).

Coutinho has been in sensational form, especially since Christmas, and this system is getting the very best out of him. He is so elusive, and the front three are so interchangeable it gives him the freedom of the final third to really hurt teams.

It is great to have Daniel Sturridge back, but Raheem Sterling did a great job stepping up to the role of our main striker in his absence. Both players provide us with real speed and intelligence in our play - and with Coutinho sitting in behind it is a really potent attacking trio. It is sometimes easy to forget that Sterling is only 20 years old; he is far from the finished article and is only going to get better.

We also have other options in the front three, with Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli giving us different attributes. Lallana is very good with the ball at his feet and finding space in tight areas, and he is also capable of scoring goals and is good at the pressing game. I think at times Lallana's contribution can be quite subtle, but his ability to keep the ball and create space is often a catalyst for players like Coutinho to flourish.

Balotelli gives us the option to play two up front if the game demands - he is far more comfortable in a two and his best performances have been when he has had another striker next to him. Rickie Lambert also gives us a different option.

A new identity

Although we are a different team, with a different identity to last season, in the longer term a balanced style that fuses defensive solidity with attacking fluidity is where we are likely to find our best chance of competing against the best sides.

One of Rodgers' guiding principles has always been that the team is the star at Liverpool - and we are seeing this team grow as a collective into that ideal.

The youth in our team means that the best is still yet to come. Although the formation and tactical plan may evolve as the team grows, I think the reinvented identity is set to stay.