05 Jul 2020 14:08:31
Hi Ed001. Do you think that, going into next season, Klopp will look to change up the 4-3-3 approach at all? It seems that we still struggle against two banks of four (as at Everton recently) and clubs could use it to frustrate the champions next season.

If so, how do you envisage our formation is likely to evolve, and would it require new personnel?

Follow up question- do you think KDB would improve our first 11? If so, is there anyone else in world football available who has his skill set?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - every club struggles against two banks of four, changing the formation won't alter that. It is the same as it always was, to deal with deep lying defences like that you have to be at your best and move the ball quickly across the pitch to drag them out of position. It doesn't matter what formation or style you use up against them, unless you have a huge target man you can bombard and get around to pick up pieces from, the key is to use the ball well.

De Bruyne is one of those players there is no one else like, I am still not entirely sure where you would put him to get the most out of him. Half the time it feels like he is being wasted at City by playing too deep, but then he gets played further up and City clearly miss his input deeper on the pitch. I am sure he could slot in fine for us and improve us, but there is no alternative player we could go and get who would do the same job for us, not yet. I am sure there will be lots coming through in the near future as kids will copy him.}

05 Jul 2020 16:16:24
I fully agree, Ed. I often struggle to understand this whole notion like only LFC struggle with 2 banks of 4/ deep-lying defences. I watch tonnes of football all over Europe and a tonne of teams struggle with that from time to til.

In England, I have seen Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. struggle mightily vs this system and it has stifled their ability to pick up points consistently. Even City struggle with this system cos they were beaten last season vs Chelsea, Palace (last season) and Wolves twice, Utd twice, Norwich, Spurs among their 8 losses this season. Id on't see people saying Pep should change the way he plays.

As for LFC, we have won near 60 games btw this season and last season and lost only 3 times with 11 draws. Do people have any idea how many deep/ lying defences you have to break down to win that many games and 180 points in that span? A tonne, that's how many.

IMO, whatever it is we are currently doing is working (as the numbers bear out) as in moving the ball quicker and drawing the opposition out of position to create space for the FB's and third man runs from midfield or via overloads and we should keep working to improve and evolving this system.

{Ed001's Note - it is the reason why weaker teams play the system against stronger teams, it is difficult to break down, so long as they are happy to sit and not take risks on attack.}