Liverpool have another playmaker ready to be unleashed as next part of Jürgen Klopp’s exciting plan

Liverpool have recently seen several players excel within Jürgen Klopp’s new system, but there is yet to come someone who looks perfect for a new role.

Whilst there is no room for error in their last six games this season and any error would surely rule out a top four finish, Liverpool can afford to experiment a bit.

Indeed, it was the experimentation that put the Reds back into some contention for Champions League places, with the new role of Trent Alexander-Arnold acting as a catalyst for Jurgen Klopp’s side to string together some performances and results .

Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only player to have benefited either: Curtis Jones has shown up in a more advanced position that makes the most of his creative and playmaking side, while Mohamed Salah has been better overall with more space.

For most of the Liverpool squad, the move to a 3-2-5 formation in possession has really helped take their game to the next level and has taken several players to new heights, although for Jordan Henderson it probably doesn’t come naturally. Henderson, who is tasked with being more forward, is instinctively more defensive, with trickery and technique never being his best qualities in the final third, even when he’s had the energy to play a box-to-box role. box.

Although it makes sense that Liverpool would consider a summer move for Chelsea’s Mason Mount to fill that sort of position more effectively (while also fitting into the high-pressure system and meeting off-the-ball demands). , there is also another player who has recently been absent and who could come into play.

There were always questions about Harvey Elliott’s ability to play in the 4-3-3 system with which Liverpool were synonymous under Klopp, with Henderson better suited to the good role of number eight.

There, Henderson can help from the back, leaving most of the attack to Salah on the right. While his attacking instincts in Elliott were useful in changing the team’s direction, there were question marks – to some extent fair – over his ability to provide sufficient protection the other way. . However, with the more advanced midfield position, Elliott would be a perfect fit. Like Jones and probably Fábio Carvalho, Elliott has always been more of a playmaker or the number 10 molded into a more defensive player. The new role is a tighter game that should offer even more opportunities to show off your best skills.

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However, since Liverpool switched to this style of play, Elliott has not played a second.

Having featured in every Premier League game up until the goalless draw with Chelsea, Elliott has been on the bench in each of the last four games (Arsenal, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham). Perhaps Liverpool feel Elliott cannot play that role with Jones holding the left-sided version of the position. The move to have two attacking midfielders in the squad at the same time would have been a big step as the adjustments were being made and the rest of the squad were still getting used to the changes.

But it’s worth a shot at some point, with Elliott, as well as Jones, better suited to the more advanced position.

It could arrive this weekend. Either alongside Jones, or instead of him in the squad after the 22-year-old Scouser played many minutes in a short period of time, Elliott would be worth a try at Spurs at home. Then there are two other home games, the Spurs, Fulham and Brentford coming to Anged within seven days. Changes are made during this period, and Elliott, which begins in at least one of these devices, seems very likely.

At least as Jones on paper, he could be unleashed even in this new role, with at least one of the last six games of the campaign which is worth giving him some actions. During the next season, it could be the position it is used in full time.