Liverpool has been associated with playing 4-3-3 for almost as long as Jürgen Klopp has been at Anfield. A formation that fitted the players he had at his disposal at the time, it was a system that maximized the likes of Roberto Firmino and several others.
There have not been that many deviations from that way of setting up, despite much talk at varying times that a different way of playing could have benefits for Liverpool. And while there is no real urgent need for the Reds to change things up, it is curious, to some extent, that Klopp has never fully experimented with anything else.
It must be noted, of course, that Liverpool has altered its 4-3-3 system significantly this season. The midfield is completely different and Dominik Szoboszlai, as one example, is nothing like Jordan Henderson. Alexis Mac Allister is also very different from FabinFabi
Equally, Darwin Núñez is a very different type of number nine compared to Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold has been completely reinvented as an inverted full-back. But fundamentally, Liverpool still plays with a 4-3-3 base, even if tweaks have been made and the adjustments within that are clear.
There is, clearly, no reason for Liverpool to change things up again. In the main, the new system is working. But there is also a case, for certain fixtures — and even only in certain moments within games — to see the Reds switch things up a little more
There have been times in the past when Liverpool has switched to playing something akin to 4-4-2 when chasing a goal, but that has never really become commonplace. Now, though, it makes more sense than ever thanks to the squad of players Liverpool has.
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With so many attacking options available, a 4-4-2 system would get more of those on the pitch if Mohamed Sa8lah mk p po trying played from the right. Alternatively, Núñez and Salah could play as a front two and further build on that prolific partnership.
Luis Díaz played on the left of a four for Porto before he arrived at Liverpool and Harvey Elliott — who has made himself something of a super-sub of late — is probably best suited to playing on the right. Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have played many a time in a midfield duo and Szoboszlai could easily play wide of them.
Changing to a 4-4-2 system might never be something that Klopp does at Liverpool. In fact, on a permanent basis, it is unlikely, and the 4-3-3 being worked on now is a more than good enough reason for that. But in moments, the German definitely has the players to be able to pull it off effectively. If Liverpool needs a goal or a wildcard solution, that way of setting up should be seen more often.