Crafting Jurgen Klopp's Optimal 4-2-3-1 at Liverpool for 2016
There are plenty of words to describe Jurgen Klopp’s opening month as manager of Liverpool, but "smooth" is not one of them.
He’s faced intense media pressure that’s bordered on infatuation at times, dealt with a number of debilitating injuries that have threatened even the most modest of starts and has worked hard to change the fans’ attitudes at games—making good on a promise to “turn doubters into believers,” per LFC TV (h/t David Prentice of the Liverpool Echo).
October 17 witnessed Klopp’s Premier League debut—a 0-0 stalemate with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It was a hard-earned point in a game that toed and froed to the extreme, but drawing early conclusions from it was made exceptionally difficult because of the restrictions the German was working under.
Yes, a good early indicator of Klopp’s intentions was the immediate relocation of Emre Can to central midfield. The three-man defence was immediately shelved in favour of a more regular back four. But the crippling injuries sustained to the forward corps that week—including a heartbreaking ACL tear for Danny Ings—meant the Reds had just one fit striker, Divock Origi, for the game and weren’t able to deploy true wingers.
The formation used that day was a 4-3-2-1. It’s not Klopp’s bread and butter, although numerically similar if nothing else, and the feeling post-match was we really were no closer to seeing what the eccentric German had planned for the club because of the ailments dogging the squad. What does he see as his ideal system? What does he believe his best XI is? The answers would have to wait.
And truthfully, we’re still waiting. Against Crystal Palace last time out, they utilised a 4-2-3-1 for the first time in the Premier League from the start, and despite the disappointing loss, it’s expected to be the shape used moving forward.
Klopp rarely deviated from it at Borussia Dortmund—a few ill-fated experiments with a back three should remain firmly in the past—and he produced some scintillating football in the UEFA Champions League as a result.
With players returning to fitness and Klopp beginning to get a handle on his deep, slightly confused squad, we can now—seven matches into his tenure—begin projecting what XI he wants to field.
It will be in 2016 when his philosophy takes shape—with the help of the January transfer window—but how will the Reds turn out when fully functioning in a Klopp guise?
Sportal.de (h/t Metro) recently reported Liverpool’s interest in German goalkeeper Timo Horn, but with funds limited in the winter window, it’s highly unlikely they’ll replace Simon Mignolet. The Belgian has some defined weaknesses, but he’s not enough of a concern to act upon in January.
The full-back pair, too, looks good. Nathaniel Clyne’s end product could improve and Alberto Moreno’s still learning to defend one-on-ones with consistency, but they’re ideal—particularly the latter, who morphs into an auxiliary playmaker in transitions.
Mamadou Sakho is the ball-playing, aggressive centre-back of most managers’ dreams, and he’s emerged as Liverpool’s best defender by a distance. His forthcoming injury layoff is bad news, but when he returns, he’ll assume the mantle at the back once again.
Options for the slot alongside him, though, remain unimpressive. Quite how Martin Skrtel is clinging onto a guaranteed starting role is beyond many, and Dejan Lovren has flashed a disastrous streak every time he’s been given a run. A reserved, sweeper-type centre-back in the mould of Marc Bartra, Paulo Oliveira or Matija Nastasic would be the perfect accompaniment to the big Frenchman.
Can and Jordan Henderson are tailor-made for the “2” in the 4-2-3-1, providing energy, physical edge and technical competence in equal measure. They’re durable enough to eat through a lot of minutes and run a midfield as a two. The No. 10 in Klopp’s Dortmund system would press incessantly too, and Roberto Firmino seems the perfect player to both harass and link play.
Wide players in Brendan Rodgers’ 4-2-3-1 were blunted, so playing Philippe Coutinho out there was a waste, but in Klopp’s blueprint, they’re mightily effective. The Brazilian won’t turn in Marco Reus-level numbers immediately, but he has impressed coming in from the left—if only he’d trust his team-mates a little more and shoot a little less.
James Milner is perfect for the workmanlike role on the right side, and Klopp would be wise to ignore his clamour to play as a central midfielder. Being blunt, he’s underperformed there, and the promise of a central berth was made by Rodgers, not his successor. Adam Lallana has received plenty of looks under the new regime and could carve out a role on that flank too, though his inability to get through 90 minutes remains a massive concern.
Jordon Ibe is an interesting case, and Joao Teixeira has come in for a few minutes here and there. As the ailments haunting the team lessen, the wing situation simultaneously becomes more complex.
Up front, Daniel Sturridge will battle Christian Benteke for a spot, and early evidence suggests only one winner: the former. Some will call for him to play on the right and allow the Belgian to take the No. 9 role, but Klopp’s wide men have been dedicated defenders, dropping into two banks of four out of possession and working hard to close off space. Sturridge isn’t that guy. Nor will he ever be.
With Sturridge nearing return and Henderson set to re-enter the fold following the international break, Klopp is missing just one player: Sakho. The German is now, seven games into his Anfield career, getting to the point when he can roll out his tried and tested and begin the real tactical work with his squad.
The pressing has been present in patches, and the incisiveness on the ball has improved. Firmino has hinted he could be a stunningly productive player under his new manager, and Coutinho is already coming up with the goods.
An ideal January would see full-back depth, a new centre-back and possibly a winger brought in to bolster the squad, but acquisitions won’t be coming thick and fast. Moving into 2016, this is how Liverpool should start to line up; the shift in formation will become permanent, and the Reds will finally begin to move forward from a strategic standpoint, not just an emotional one.
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