It’s fair to say Liverpool have a rocky start to the season which comes down to a combination of reasons. Injuries, suspensions, and inconsistencies have cost them dearly, and Jurgen Klopp will be looking to get back the Liverpool of old.
With injuries to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, will it force the hand of Klopp to change his formation and tactics? Liverpool have frequently used a 4-3-3 formation over Klopp’s 7-year tenure. However, with the acquisition of Darwin Nunez, it looks as if they have changed to a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 recently.
Mohammed Salah has played a lot more centrally for the last three games and it looks as if it has got the best out of the Egyptian, weighing in with 4 goals in 2 games against Rangers and Manchester City.
The Egyptian is a natural finisher and playing him more centrally will guarantee goals. You look back to when he played up front against Bournemouth in the 2018/2019 season and he was fantastic with a hattrick in that fixture.
However, due to the injuries in the forward line, it is looking increasingly difficult to play four forwards in the 4-2-4 formation. Harvey Elliot and Fabio Carvalho will be looking for game time and this could be the perfect opportunity for them.
Jurgen Klopp deployed a 4-2-3-1 in their 1-0 win against West Ham on Wednesday night. The formation allowed for Firmino to pick up the ball in the pocket and play makes for Salah and Nunez.
Liverpool now have a 45% win rate this season when playing a 4-3-3 formation. However, Jurgen Klopp has recently experimented with a 4-3-2-1 and a 4-2-4/4-4-2. Each of the formations has its strengths and weaknesses.
The traditional 4-3-3 formation allows for a workmanlike midfield in Henderson and Fabinho, whilst allowing Thiago to create from deep. The 4-2-4 allows for Salah to play more centrally and this was highlighted in the 1-0 win over Manchester City as Salah excelled up top against a fantastic defence.
However, no matter what formation Liverpool deploys, it is clear to see the weakness in this Liverpool team, the midfield. Fabinho has been a shadow of the player he was a season ago and Henderson has struggled thus far this season. Liverpool desperately requires strength in depth, and it is up to FSG as to whether they will put their hands in their pockets in January.
On the other hand, if there was any manager to turn the form around of a player, it is Jurgen Klopp. The German trusts his players and often waxes lyrical about his captain and the importance of Fabinho in the midfield. Moreover, many fans believe that if this Liverpool team is to succeed this season, they need midfield reinforcements.
It appears that this season for the Reds is a transformative season and that a lot of patience is required from fans alike to see Liverpool succeed. Darwin Nunez is the epitome of that transformation and Klopp recently said, “Nunez is a scoring machine and he needs confidence.”
Confidence is the key emotion for the season for the Reds and it appears that if Liverpool are to turn it around, they will require their mojo back. Whilst the injuries are disturbing Liverpool’s season, their formation will chop and change to accommodate the attacking talent they have.
It appears that Jurgen Klopp will utilise his squad in the run into the World Cup. The German manager has set up Liverpool very differently this season compared to last, and that side earns 1.79 points per game. Compared to last season where they had 2.67 points per game.
It will be difficult to match the quadruple-chasing Liverpool of last year, however, Liverpool will be looking for a top-four finish at least and another Champions League final. The formation will depend on the opponent and you cant help but feel that when everyone is fit and firing, Jurgen Klopp will play his classic 4-3-3 formation.