I thought I would start a new thread on this, because there's a lot of discussion about players but not so much on whether they suit the system we are playing.
Put simply, we are 4-3-3 but with the wide players up front dropping back when we don't have the ball to leave a lone striker - either Firmino, Origi or Sturridge.
Now I have come to the conclusion that Brendan may be right after all and we do need an out-and-out goal-scoring striker. We would have won 2 or 3-0 yesterday because we had City on the ropes but through poor judgement and lack of a clinical edge, we could not finish them off when they were there for the taking.
But where I differ, is in my belief that Firmino is a top class player who should be one of the first names on the team-sheet, but not as a sole striker.
We also have an out-of-form but top class player in Coutinho who, in my opinion, is far more suited to an advanced central role and is wasted wide out on the left. Firmino really struggled when he deputised in that position as well.
Mane is brilliant and has nailed down the wide right position.
So, how do we fit in an ace new striker to blend with the talents of Firmino, Coutinho & Mane? That's Klopp's dilemma and he will have his own ideas but I'm wondering if we should look at other systems - either (1) the Chelsea & Spurs system that is working so well for them or (2) the midfield diamond?
(1) Three at the back (Lovren, Matip, Clyne) ; Two attacking wing-backs (Milner & Mane) ; Two central midfielders (Henderson & Wijnaldum) ; Two attacking midfielders with a licence to find space and link the play (Firmino & Coutinho) ; and one boss new striker.
(2) Usual Four at the back ; Henderson at the base of the diamond ; Wijnaldum & Mane either side ; Coutinho at the tip ; Firmino & new striker up front.
Something has to give because I just don't think the system we are playing is getting the best out of the players we have and it would mean way more teambuilding to change the players rather than the formation.
Put simply, we are 4-3-3 but with the wide players up front dropping back when we don't have the ball to leave a lone striker - either Firmino, Origi or Sturridge.
Now I have come to the conclusion that Brendan may be right after all and we do need an out-and-out goal-scoring striker. We would have won 2 or 3-0 yesterday because we had City on the ropes but through poor judgement and lack of a clinical edge, we could not finish them off when they were there for the taking.
But where I differ, is in my belief that Firmino is a top class player who should be one of the first names on the team-sheet, but not as a sole striker.
We also have an out-of-form but top class player in Coutinho who, in my opinion, is far more suited to an advanced central role and is wasted wide out on the left. Firmino really struggled when he deputised in that position as well.
Mane is brilliant and has nailed down the wide right position.
So, how do we fit in an ace new striker to blend with the talents of Firmino, Coutinho & Mane? That's Klopp's dilemma and he will have his own ideas but I'm wondering if we should look at other systems - either (1) the Chelsea & Spurs system that is working so well for them or (2) the midfield diamond?
(1) Three at the back (Lovren, Matip, Clyne) ; Two attacking wing-backs (Milner & Mane) ; Two central midfielders (Henderson & Wijnaldum) ; Two attacking midfielders with a licence to find space and link the play (Firmino & Coutinho) ; and one boss new striker.
(2) Usual Four at the back ; Henderson at the base of the diamond ; Wijnaldum & Mane either side ; Coutinho at the tip ; Firmino & new striker up front.
Something has to give because I just don't think the system we are playing is getting the best out of the players we have and it would mean way more teambuilding to change the players rather than the formation.
