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da apostaganha： That the major talking points to emerge from Liverpool’s 0-0 draw at Goodison Park last weekend were centred around Jurgen Klopp’s bizarre post-match comments and his altercation with an Everton ball boy speaks volumes about the standard of football on display.
As predicted, the Merseyside derby was not a feast for the eyes but yet another nap-inducing antithesis of heavy metal football. Mo Salah missing a glorious one-on-one was about the only major opportunity to dissect, and the absence of clear-cut chances hinted that Liverpool’s approach has turned stale.
The very best managers in world football are typically willing and able to adjust to suit the circumstances of the fixture or the vein of form in which they arrive. Since the turn of 2018, Liverpool’s 4-3-3 system has been the approach behind some of the most breathtaking football on the planet, but a cul-de-sac has been reached and Klopp needs to find a way to bulldoze through the wall.
Now, it’s important not to stray into the realm of hyperbole. Liverpool, after all, remain in 2nd place and have a favourable run in when compared with Manchester City’s tricky looking fixtures. But in the absence of a plan B the Reds are in danger of constructing their own disappointment in the title race.
Roberto Firmino wasn’t deemed fit enough to start against Everton and Divock Origi took his place on the left side of the front-three, with Sadio Mane occupying a position at centre-forward after notching a brace against Watford. The Belgium international was incredibly underwhelming in unfamiliar territory and was withdrawn in the second-half.
But in the absence of Firmino, who is conducive to the success of Liverpool’s 4-3-3 system, Klopp should have reverted to a three-at-the-back setup which Mauricio Pochettino has utilised to varying degrees of success this season.
Tottenham’s unpredictability and flexibility, though, unquestionably gives the Argentine a tactical edge and provides him with greater freedom when choosing his starting eleven.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson both blessed with the necessary turbo-charged engines needed to thrive in a wing-back role and considering they are two of the most dangerous weapons in Klopp’s armoury, a switch to a 3-5-2 system could be a stroke of genius.
The move would allow Salah to play in a central role closer to Mane or Firmino and also create a natural place for Xherdan Shaqiri to operate in-front of a more robust midfield duo.
Fabinho’s impressive performances in central defence this season also suggest that he would be a fantastic option to play within the back-three, while simultaneously operating as an auxiliary midfielder when Liverpool are in possession.
This is the kind of tactical alternative which managers should work on in pre-season, and Klopp may live to regret his naivety if he doesn’t have this potentially game-changing trick up his sleeve.