The high-press philosophy which epitomised Liverpool’s relentlessly effective tactical approach last season has not been as prominent so far this season due to one major injury concern and, according to Sky Sports pundit Adam Bate, the arrival of two new players.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s long-term absence this season has left Jurgen Klopp without a player who was so fundamental to the success of the high-press approach last season which enabled them to tear Manchester City apart in the Champions League.
With no return expected until the end of the season, Klopp has shifted his approach this season and reduced the importance of the need to retrieve possession high up the pitch, but Bate believes that the summer arrivals of Fabinho and Shaqiri have also forced the change (as per Sky Sports).
‘Interestingly, the signing of Fabinho coupled with Xherdan Shaqiri has encouraged a change of formation – one that was used against Fulham.
‘With Fabinho being used as a more natural holding midfielder, and Shaqiri taking on a more advanced role, Liverpool now feel confident with that 4-2-3-1 instead.’
Any manager who harbours aspirations of clinching silverware will be aware of the need to be pragmatic and adapt their approach in response to individual events and trends, and the double acquisition of two players at the opposite end of the midfield spectrum has certainly provided him with a factor to shift his philosophy.
Rather than playing two box-to-box type players and one slightly deeper playmaker, Klopp has evolved his approach by deploying Fabinho in a more traditional anchor role alongside the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner, with Shaqiri playing further forward as a number ten.
The Switzerland international has enjoyed rich success in a position which was effectively redundant last season, and it’s a refreshing change for the Anfield faithful to monitor as the season develops.
It’s a switch which will lend Klopp the opportunity to be more unpredictable with his starting eleven and more selective in when to enforce the high-press, which can only be good news for Liverpool in their bid for silverware.
Liverpool fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
