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It was said before the season started that Liverpool needed to become more unpredictable if they were to retain their Premier League crown. After racking up 196 points in the past two seasons, winning four major trophies along the way, it seemed unthinkable that anything needed to change.
Even though the season is only a few weeks old, we are already starting to see that in full force. In truth, the campaign as a whole has been unpredictable across the board. Manchester City have not been at their best, while there have been surprise packages with Leicester City, Southampton and Aston Villa, all off to good starts.
The only constant, at least so far, is Liverpool. They may not be first at the table on our journey to the next international hiatus, but they are certainly doing business. There are still 30 league games to play, and it would be very brave to bet against them to win another national title.
A key factor in Liverpool maintaining the high standards for which it has become famous in the last two years is the ability to cope with different formations. Jurgen Klopp has mainly chosen to go with his preferred 4-3-3 setup, but there have been times when a 4-2-3-1 approach has been used.
As with any change, if you are going to start making modifications to the formation, there will be players who will prosper. And sadly, there will also be those who fall into the hierarchical order.
Here, we take a look at the winners and losers if Liverpool start going with a 4-2-3-1 formation in the future …
Winners
xherdan Shaqiri
If I were to go back in time a month or two ago, it would seem unthinkable that Xherdan Shaqiri would be at the forefront of Klopp’s plans at Anfield. There were many raised eyebrows when Roberto Firmino was substituted ahead of time against Man City at the weekend, but probably more so when he realized that the Swiss international was his replacement.
Getting into the top three will be difficult for Shaqiri, but if the 4-2-3-1 were to unfold, that would provide him with an additional position that would suit his game more. He’s capable of playing both center and wing, and he’s definitely a winner when it comes to preferring this setup to Klopp’s traditional game plan.
(Image: Andrew Powell / Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Diogo Jota
Has a new signing ever started so well since Klopp took over five years ago? It could be argued that Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, and Sadio Mané are suitable candidates for that honor, but Diogo Jota is more than noteworthy.
It should come as no surprise that as soon as Liverpool sign a forward who can compete for a regular starting position, a new formation is put in place to bring everyone to the team. Games against Sheffield United and Man City have served as little evidence as to the effectiveness of the system, but Jota is a player who will prosper if that tactic continues to be used.
Takumi minamino
This was to be the season that Takumi Minamino finally broke into the first team at Anfield. Eight league games and three Champions League group stage games, and we have yet to see that happen.
It’s probably because of Jota’s form that Minamino hasn’t had much of a chance to thrive on the team, and he’s probably still looking for his best position. However, on paper, the 10th role is where you’ll get the best of the Japan international, and using it in the 4-2-3-1 formation could be one way we can finally see why Klopp rates it that way. high.
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Losers
Naby Keïta
What you gain with a 4-2-3-1 are extra players in the attacking third of the field, and what you lose are bodies in the midfield. Naby Keïta is probably not the first choice in the middle of the park these days, with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcântara probably ahead of him in the pecking order.
Since Keïta is most often used to help lead the press and create attacks, the way it has been used is not as suitable for the two-man midfield. Keïta thrives in a three-man midfield, and is a much better fit at 4-3-3, but time will tell if he’ll get used to the new system or not.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
It seems to have gone a bit under the radar, but Liverpool could certainly benefit from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returning from injury as soon as possible. That said, like Keïta, he is much more suited to playing in a midfield three than in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
However, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see him used in the No. 10 role or even as a forward, but none of those are his best positions. If Klopp opted for the new tactic more often in the future, he wouldn’t expect Oxlade-Chamberlain to present too much.
Divock Origi
What does the future hold for Divock Origi? We haven’t seen him in the Premier League yet this season, and he’s only appeared once in the Champions League and that didn’t go as planned. Whether it’s because of the manager’s lack of faith or simply opting for alternative options, who knows.
In a 4-2-3-1, Origi might be suitable for the role of lone striker, but when he’s been used lately, he’s been like an open striker. That is not their game. Also, if Klopp opted for the new system, it would most likely mean that Jota would join the team alongside Firmino, as well as against Man City. There seems to be a number of options ahead of Origi right now, and that doesn’t bode well for her playing time this season.
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