Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hints new Liverpool formation is here to stay – “It suits us”

With Liverpool finally “clicking” again in the 135th minute against Arsenal and Leeds, Jurgen Klopp has hinted that his new set-up is here to stay.

With his side in poor shape, Klopp moved his formation to a system closer to 3-5-2 in the last two games.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was central to both, moving from his natural right-back role to a position closer to midfield, allowing him to freely dictate play.

It took some time to settle in against both Arsenal and Leeds, but Klopp believes he really ‘clicked’ in the second half of the 2-2 draw with the Gunners. Speaking to Sky Sports following Liverpool’s 6-1 win against Leeds on Monday, Jamie Carragher asked the manager about his schedule behind the new formation.

In particular, Carragher asked Klopp if he was meant to get more out of Alexander-Arnold or to find a better defensive structure, with two midfielders sitting in the number 66 alongside Fabinho.
“It’s the best game we’ve played this season”?

Jürgen Klopp says his Liverpool side were ‘absolutely excellent’ against Leeds tonight? pic.twitter.com/En4cfkcSeV

“Because it’s Trent, it’s both,” he replied, before adding, “But overall you’re right. “We also have to protect ourselves better, because [in previous games] we gave away too many counter-attacks, we lost balls at the wrong time.
“Trent had a really good game, but once again, when we lost the ball, the reaction was completely different.

“We didn’t lose so many balls, because we were very calm on the ball.

“What we lost at the wrong time is obviously the goal we conceded. It’s no longer [a situation that] we can protect, but everyone else we need to be able to protect. “But the training suits us much better.”

While Liverpool have conceded three goals in their last two games, two came while still fit in the first half against Arsenal and the other came from an error by Ibrahima Konate at Leeds.

Overall, the Reds looked stronger defensively, while their eight goals scored – including six at Elland Road – are proof that this ‘super attacking formation’ can work.
“You think that to play better, first and foremost you have to take care of all the attacking things: dribbling, shooting, finishing,” Klopp continued.
“But you only get stability if you defend.

“We can be super attack-oriented – we have a super attacking formation with five, six players between and behind the lines – if we react at the right times. “I really can’t explain why our back pressure wasn’t there. We asked for it all the time, actually.
“But tonight it clicked. You actually clicked a lot in the second half against Arsenal.

“The direction we suddenly took in the game was because we were winning balls back.”

Liverpool have eight games to go in their bid for an improbable fourth-place finish, and Klopp concluded: “I hope these games and a half have given us the right signal for the rest of the season.”

Also.. 

LIVERPOOL NEWS: Reds could lose 14 players this summer as exit plans start to emerged

Liverpool have been linked with some big money transfers, but there will be significant exits at Anfield this summer. 

There are still eight Premier League games to play and the transfer window will only officially open in 72 days.

But there is no doubt that things are gaining momentum ahead of what could prove to be a pivotal summer for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp and the recruiting team.

Much has focused on potential incoming players, with an emphasis on the imminent rebuilding of the midfield, which has clearly become necessary during a difficult campaign. Some players may be barred from participating at this point, but plenty more are in the frame.

And the outing at Anfield is likely to be used as much as the entry, with the squad composition next season almost certain to be significantly different given the large number of upcoming departures. Who’s definitely going?

There are currently only two guaranteed departures from Anfield. Roberto Firmino has already confirmed he will leave at the end of the season when his current contract expires after eight years at the club and Arthur Melo will return to Juventus after a loan deal which, for charity, could have gone better.

Who do you think is going?

However, Firmino isn’t the only Liverpool player set to become a free agent this summer. But while the others have not officially confirmed their intentions, at this late stage it looks increasingly unlikely that they will continue with the Reds.

James Milner is the best known, having been at the club since the summer of 2015, like Firmino. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, signed two years later, is set to leave amid speculation that Naby Keita could return to Germany. It is perhaps no coincidence that none of these three players has started a Premier League game in midfield since February.

Who could go?

This is the trickier question, which will determine much of what Liverpool can achieve in terms of attracting new players and the funds available to target certain parts of the squad.

Therefore, the Reds will keep an open mind, with nothing set in stone just yet. That goes for Fabio Carvalho, who has been linked with a summer outing having played just five minutes in the Premier League since he appeared in 10 of his first 11 top games. A loan is not excluded.

Caoimhin Kelleher would attract plenty of attention if allowed to leave, having played just three times since his League Cup final exploits 14 months ago. But with Adrian seemingly set to leave, Liverpool won’t want to miss out on goalkeeping options behind Alisson Becker.

There could be a number of defensive exits. Nat Phillips has been close to leaving Liverpool since breaking into the first team but it would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t leave this time. Joel Matip has started just one game since February and heading into the final year of his contract, this summer would be Liverpool’s last chance on a fee for a player who turns 32 in August. Rhys Williams may have renewed interest from lower division clubs while Kostas Tsimikas has been linked with potential suitors in recent weeks.

Otherwise, Liverpool could be asked to capitalize on some youngsters who have impressed on loan this season. Leighton Clarkson performed well at Aberdeen, fellow midfielder Tyler Morton also performed well at Blackburn Rovers, while Conor Bradley won the Papa Johns Trophy with Bolton Wanderers at Wembley earlier this month.