Liverpool's Champions League Escape Shows Need for Tactical Stability

Liverpool’s narrow victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League may be deemed as a lucky escape by some, but it seems clear there is a logical answer to rescue the Reds’ ailments.

As soon as Daniel Sturridge was ruled out for around three weeks with a thigh muscle problem picked up in England training last week, the debate as to whether Liverpool should stick with their 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation or switch to 4-3-3 ensued.

Diamonds Are Forever

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The 4-4-2 diamond midfield combination had been so effective in Liverpool’s 3-0 demolition of Tottenham at White Hart Lane last month. Sturridge and Mario Balotelli showed glimpses of a potential devastating strike partnership. 

The midfield shape was composed and positive too—Raheem Sterling played in the position he excels the most in at the front tip of the diamond, in the middle behind the strikers, with Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho supporting slightly deeper behind, protecting the deep-lying Steven Gerrard, who in turn protects the defence. 

So why change things? Why did Brendan Rodgers switch to a 4-2-3-1 against Aston Villa, and again (although a slightly different variation) against Ludogorets? Are we enduring a series of experiments by the Reds manager?

Liverpool have been much more rigid in their set-up in these last two games. The fluent, overlapping, sometimes archaic runs forward of last season have stopped, and organised defences have comfortably been able to break down attacks. 

Furthermore, this loss of possession higher up the pitch has caused overexposure of the new-look defence—who are still learning to play cohesively.

Liverpool have simply looked unbalanced; balance being a fundamental part of Rodgers’ philosophy.

It would be fair to suggest that Rodgers’ lack of options up front during Sturridge’s absence has forced his hand at changing the team’s shape.

Does Rodgers feel Rickie Lambert is an adequate replacement for Sturridge from the start of a game? Are there man-management issues surrounding bringing Fabio Borini, who was seemingly encouraged to leave the club in the summer, back into the first team so soon? We can only speculate.

The Shift Against Ludogorets

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Against Ludogorets, the second-half introduction of Lucas Leiva—brought on to sit deep in midfield, allowing Gerrard to move forward and Borini to play up front with Balotelli—changed the game. There was no lucky escape—Rodgers realised his system wasn’t working and adapted to the 4-4-2 diamond to amend.

As the urgency set in, Liverpool swarmed towards Ludogorets’ goal from all angles. Borini’s powerful header from close range was tipped over by a fine save from Milan Borjan, before Balotelli cooly slotted away his first goal for the club in front of the Kop and the deadlock was finally broken on 82 minutes.

The changes rebalanced Liverpool, and they sprung to life. Even Ludogorets’ equaliser was arguably caused by an overconfidence with the new system after taking the lead late on, but Steven Gerrard’s stoppage-time penalty meant the Reds walked away with the important three points, despite the Bulgarian side's resilience.

Going Forward 

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Borini looked lively and determined in the late stages at Anfield on Tuesday night and could well have earned his place in the side for Saturday’s Premier League trip to West Ham.

Rodgers would do well to put his faith in an all-Italian strike partnership and play his 4-4-2 diamond midfield system from the start at Upton Park—a system that worked all too well last season and has been effective this season as well. 

The personnel will change with injuries and suspensions. Joe Allen has been sorely missed this week and will provide a catalyst to move the ball forward between midfield and attack on his return. Sturridge will bring the experience of Liverpool’s relentless attacking style last season when he recovers from injury. Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan provide competition, if not options, regarding width.

But a familiar, balanced shape must be the foundation of Liverpool’s game plan. The rest, the players, fall into place as the games come thick and fast.