Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp can learn Tottenham error with tactical tweak

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Liverpool have the perfect blueprint on how not to set up against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side from Antonio Conte’s Tottenham line-up last week heading into Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League clash. Jurgen Klopp has adopted a go-to system during his reign at Liverpool with four at the back, three in midfield and three attackers given varied freedom.

But the Liverpool boss spoke about how his side needed to reinvent themselves prior to the international break and fans were given a glimpse of that in the recent 2-0 win over Rangers. Klopp opted to play just two central midfielders and named four forwards in his starting line-up.

Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara were tasked with fending off Rangers’ midfield threat while the attacking quartet kept the Scottish side’s defence busy all night. Darwin Nunez was a threat throughout with only a number of quality saves from Allan McGregor denying him at least one goal on the night.

The formation also allowed both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas more space out wide with the forwards cutting in to occupy Rangers’ own full-backs. Other than the 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth back in August, it was arguably Liverpool’s best performance of the season.

Of course, Liverpool were expected to win against a Rangers side who had conceded seven and were yet to find the net themselves in their opening two Champions League matches. But it was also exactly the kind of performance Klopp needed from his side heading into a tricky away trip to league-leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

The question for Klopp now will be whether he sticks with the same formula that worked so well against Rangers for the match against Arsenal. However, Arsenal proved last week against Tottenham how easily they can overpower a two-man midfield.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur were tasked with trying to stem Arsenal’s threat, but were unable to cope with Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey. Xhaka in particular appeared to have more freedom with Arsenal overloaded in midfield compared to Tottenham.

It was too late by the time Conte moved to change things in the second half with Emerson Royal being sent off and Xhaka bagging Arsenal’s third goal of the game. Klopp may need to revert back to three in midfield to counter Arsenal’s threat from Odegaard, Xhaka and Partey.

Fabinho was rested against Rangers meaning he should be fresh for Sunday’s game while Klopp now has all his forward players back and available. Playing with four attackers could force Arsenal into a rethink of their own, but there are clear risks in playing just two in midfield against Arteta’s side.

And with Liverpool needing a run of solid performances, reverting back to the tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation may be the best way to go.

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