Four tactics Liverpool can use to ‘reinvent’ and save season

Napoli v Liverpool: Pictures

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp bluntly stated that his side need to ‘reinvent’ themselves after a crushing Champions League defeat to Napoli on Wednesday evening. The Reds were trounced 4-1 in Italy and, with several other concerning results this season, Klopp could find himself at a crossroads. Express Sport takes you through four ways Liverpool could turn their situation around…

Change formation

Klopp’s 4-3-3 has served Liverpool well over the years but, having been opened up by Napoli time and again on Wednesday, it could be time to introduce more stability in midfield. Fabinho as the lone sitter struggled to stop the danger posed by Napoli, with James Milner and Harvey Elliott more advanced on either side of the trio. 

Introducing another deep-lying midfielder in a rejuvenated 4-2-3-1 formation could be just the ticket for the Reds, who have looked frail defensively over the first few weeks of the campaign. Arthur Melo and Thiago Alcantara are among the candidates to partner Fabinho, having both started on the bench in Naples. 

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Scrap high line

Liverpool’s high defensive line was exposed within 45 seconds against Napoli with the pacey Victor Osimhen played in behind, rounding Alisson before striking his effort against the post from a narrow angle. 

Centre-back pairing Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both woefully out of form, and playing such a high-risk strategy could be counter-productive in terms of nursing them back to full confidence. The Dutchman is currently a shadow of the player that finished runner-up to Lionel Messi in the race for the 2019 Ballon d’Or. 

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Drop underperformers

Klopp has overseen a largely stable environment at Anfield over the past few years, but players previously hailed as ‘undroppable’ could now be dragging Liverpool down. Senior figures who have, in the past, spurred the Reds onto victory may have to be dropped to the bench with poor results calling for drastic measures. 

By his own lofty standards, Mohamed Salah’s two goals in six Premier League games so far signify that he is performing well below par. As previously mentioned, Van Dijk’s standards are sliding and Trent Alexander-Arnold is another player to have been exposed defensively this term despite all he offers going forward. 

Be more pragmatic

Klopp’s ‘rock and roll’ football philosophy has brought him success and adulation on Merseyside since taking the job in 2015. A Premier League title and a Champions League crown sit among his glittering trophy cabinet, but his tenure could be at risk of going stale. 

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag had to ditch his distinct playing style to stop the rot at Old Trafford and his side have since won four matches in a row. Klopp may have to take a leaf out of his bitter rivals’ book and be more pragmatic if he is to steady the ship and start hauling results over the line. 

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