Liverpool just can’t seem to get it right at the moment as their attempt to defend their Premier League title crumbles to dust.
Defeat to Fulham at the weekend condemned them to a sixth consecutive loss at Anfield, once their fortress, leaving them eighth in the table, 22 points behind leaders Manchester City
AFP
Injuries have been the main issue, of course, long-term knee problems for star defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were unpredictable and devastating, while Joel Matip has had his campaign ended early.
Manager Jurgen Klopp, though, was unwise not to replace Dejan Lovren, sold to Zenit St Petersburg. In retrospect, it’s a regrettable decision.
The injuries have had their knock-on effects too with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho moved back into central defence, unable to help their midfield function.
Now Henderson is also out injured but the Reds continue to plug on in their famed 4-3-3, just without the gusto of old.
And former Premier League midfielder Jamie O’Hara told talkSPORT he was surprised Klopp hasn’t tried to change his formation in an attempt to get things right.
He said on The Sports Breakfast: “This season has been a disaster for Liverpool injury-wise and their high tempo, high pressing, relentlessness that they have had has kind of disappeared over the last month.
“What’s their Plan B? That’s the only question mark I have over Klopp. What can you do different to get through this period because really and truthfully it’s been shocking, right?
AFP
“They still need to get Champions League football. It’s Liverpool, they can’t be playing in the Europa League.
“Why has he not changed the formation? Or done something different to potentially get results? It’s just about getting Liverpool to a position in the league where you can say, ‘we’re not to win the title but it’s been a bad season, we’ve had injuries but we’re in the Champions League for next year’. It doesn’t look like they’re going to do that.
“I look at that and go. The back four has obviously been a nightmare, they have had terrible injuries, they’re getting players from the Championship.
AFP or licensors
“Why not play three at the back, you know? Why not go 3-4-3 because he’s sort of stuck with this four at the back with the full-backs playing high but the back-four has just been so exposed and the back two have just been making mistakes.
“Why not play three so then it allows Trent and Andrew Robertson to be able to bomb on? Because, at the moment, with the two at the back they just feel like they are exposed.”
But how could they look if they moved to the system O’Hara is advocating? talkSPORT.com takes a look.
AFP
How Liverpool could look in a 3-4-3
In the system O’Hara is suggesting, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson will operate higher up the field on a full-time basis.
Most teams, including Liverpool, attempt to operate in a 2-3-5 or a 3-2-5 while in possession of the ball in attacking phases so this isn’t too new for the Reds, in theory.
Their positioning, with more offensive freedom, means a little less though needs to go into defensive transitions but when they do get back allow Liverpool to firm up their backline.
Having an added man in the defence may have helped stub out Mason Mount’s goal against them at Anfield where he all too easily drifted by Fabinho.
Getty Images - Getty
Speaking of the Brazilian, his versatility thanks to his days at Monaco at right-back mean he is the perfect solution at right centre-back.
He can easily drift over to make a back-four should Robertson drop back if the situation dictates, while Alexander-Arnold can remain further forward, should their shape dictate a 4-4-2 out of possession. Fabinho can also step up to play in his old role of defensive midfield if necessary.
Injuries, though, mean Nathaniel Phillips and Ozan Kabak are the most likely other centre-backs.
Getty Images
Liverpool’s frontline would stay the same, with Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, and Mane still a lethal and fluid forward line, but able to remain more central thanks to the wing-backs operating higher.
In midfield the dynamism and technique of Thiago and Naby Keita are perhaps the best options, both can recycle possession, play line-breaking passes, or progress the ball themselves with dribbles.
It would take some work with the Spaniard most likely staying deeper than his teammate and Keita driving the ball forward when needed.
This formation isn’t perfect for Liverpool, but as O’Hara says, it might be the kind of change needed to spring a surprise and get a vital morale boosting win.
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/2N0adz0
via IFTTT
No Comment