In a season that’s aged us all, it really doesn’t take too much at the moment. The recent pictures showing the recent to training of Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Virgil Van Dijk and even the lesser spotted Arthur Melo gave everyone a welcome and much needed boost. The Derby may well come too early for all those named, but it seems near impossible to imagine Jurgen Klopp won’t want to incorporate them into the starting line-up as soon as practically possible. A change of tack altogether maybe needed if Liverpool are to retrieve anything from this campaign.
The struggles and concerns around the midfield are well documented, with plenty on the docket for any incoming sporting director or whoever will be making the transfer calls this summer. With only young Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago able to fulfil the criteria of being in any semblance of form and likely to be around for the next campaign, the personnel in another area could well solve an issue in the short-term if not longer. The return of Firmino and Jota will mean that further injuries permitting, Liverpool will have five fit senior forwards available to call upon.
The manager has talked about the need to be compact, but everything about the stubbornness to persist with a 4-3-3 formation contradicts this. The emphasis is placed upon the midfielders to cover from side-to-side and even with the recent move to a mid block, a porous defence doesn’t appear to have seen any additional protection. Liverpool have now already conceded as many premier league goals as they did last campaign, whilst blanks against Chelsea and Wolves show how problems now extend to both ends of the pitch.
A switch to a 4-4-2 formation has naturally been well trumpeted by large sections of the fanbase as suitable for the current personnel and the needs of a side who sit bottom of the current form table. Whilst it’s not been teams the standard of Man City that have got the better of Liverpool this year, most will point to that game as what should be the blueprint for the remainder of the season. Protect the midfield as best as possible, reduce the gaps and ensure that Mo Salah is as close to the goal as possible.
The alternative may well be a switch to a 4-2-3-1 which has been seen on a few occasions, including the Champions League home game against Rangers when Jurgen Klopp began to really experiment with his formation before the World Cup. Either way, four forwards on the pitch can fit both by providing a greater attacking threat and running power than the current midfield incumbents. Surely that seems a better option all round? In the current climate despite what many wish to believe, a persistence with the current methods could see it get even worse.
With Luis Diaz confirmed as back running and hopefully returning to action in March, it’s possible and hopeful that we may even have six senior forwards to call upon in the near future. Whether it’s a switch to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, you’ll do well to find many reds that wouldn’t be happy to see four forwards on the pitch at the same time and welcoming of a change. The derby will likely come too soon for most or to enable the manager to make real changes. As soon as possible though if Liverpool want to start looking forward, that’s precisely what Jurgen Klopp needs to do.
True! Fingers crossed I believe we will turn this corner.