08 Oct 2018 13:11:26
I really think its time for Jurgen to ditch the 4-3-3, at least temporarily, for a few key reasons.

1. Lack of a "driving force" midfielder who consistently breaks the lines. We can all agree that our midfield lacks severe creativity and stifles our attacking presence - the 3 in midfield, a 3 which usually composes 3 very physically able players but not a true player who breaks the lines of midfield and attack effectively. Chamberlain fits this role superbly, however is injured, and Keita has shown glimpses yet IMO Naby would be more effective as a double pivot in midfield.

2.Our front 3 isn't as prolific by themselves as last year: the 433 last year placed a mammoth emphasis on our front 3 to create and score their own chances, luckily, (particularly in UCL) it worked. However, this year our front 3 currently need more help from midfield. Thus, a change in set up must be meet by Klopp to help get the likes of Salah and Mane firing again. Perhaps Shaqiri as a NO10 or Sturridge dropping in as a second striker next to Bobby? Our attack desperately needs service from behind and centrally.

3. The 433 quite simply doesn't play to our strengths anymore: with more and more teams closing down our passing lanes (ie. Trents long ball down the line to Salah) we have become predictable in an attacking sense. Also, with more options in midfield with Keita and Fabinho and also Shaqiri, Klopp should use this to add a new attacking element to our play. In the past 433 helped us challenge better teams by allowing our "workmanlike midfield" to harry, press and outnumber the midfield into mistakes - we quite simply don't have to do that anymore as we are a better side than in 15/ 16 and 16/ 17 when the 433 was very effective against the top 6.

Conclusion: I would love to see a 4231 of Keita and Fabinho as the double pivots and Shaqiri/ Ox as NO10, Klopp needs to be wary that his current system may be becoming attackingly stale. However, our brilliant defensive record shows we can rely on our defence and they have been the true superstars of the season so far.

1.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 13:27:55
I wouldn't change a thing, we're joint top mate.

2.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 13:39:38
It's a long season, there will be some tinkering at some point, but I agree with Salah, why change it at the moment? We've just gone through our hardest run of fixtures of the season (the hardest until we play Champions League semi final legs around a tough prem game in April), and we're still in good shape, so why go for big changes? What we need, and I know it's coming, is to get the forwards all on the scoresheet in a game, and they'll take huge confidence from that.

3.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 15:13:25
Yeah salah I agree all day mate, but we need flexibility u cannot expect too play same formation same way all the time and not get found out or teams finding ways too stop us, we had coutihno last year til January he was a major creative force an set us on our way til he jumped ship, we have 2 new midfielders there who are struggling too adapt and establish themselves in the team which I am gutted about cos I thought they would have a major impact from the start but I am confident will come good, the most confident we have looked is when Shaqiri started against Southampton we need too get him in squad in a free role creating cos that midfield yesterday will run an pass all day but won't pick a clinical pass .

4.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 15:19:53
After 8 games last season we had 13 points, after 8 games this season we have 20 points. There is no need to change anything.

5.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 15:40:48
Salah, we can't become complacent though. It is clear that we haven't been great perhaps apart from defensively this season so far. We were lucky City missed the chance to win the game yesterday and across the Napoli and City games we barely managed a shot on target - when we come up across the "smaller teams" over the next few games they will defend deep and not come out to play, therefore, we have to mix up our sluggish midfield and we will need to attack a lot better to get results.

6.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 15:48:11
That's great and we have done really well whilst only looking convincing in patches and we have had a tricky start too season took 3 more points at Tottenham an a point more at Chelsea than last season which is sound many top teams will get beat in them fixtures . If we can get the balance right of being defensively sound and keeping our slick attacking instincts we could very well run city very close, the thing worrying me is inbetween the attack an defence an that's the midfield we need someone too dictate play, pick the killer pass whilst breaking play up an put foot on ball . I don't want too sound negative jus my opinion n.

7.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 16:15:54
Agree with most of the things written here. I belive Klopp know what the issue is and will find couple of mechanisams for our front three. For my liking Mane has been taking to many touches and lost eye for pass. Everyone is attacking Salah who is always marked so well and our midfield is not exploiting those areas, that a player like Kovacic would get into and be a threat. Unfourtanatly Keita is not yet that sort of player as he often looks lost and seems not relaxed, as he is always thinking where he should be and what are his duties. When he feels more comfortable he will be great player for us. We need Fabinho at his best soon as he could be like a fresh force in the race. City still the favourites but we are close.

8.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 16:39:59
I think talking about formations is completely useless. Simply because in the modern game, nobody sticks to one precisely, throughout a game and from one game to another. It's all more about reaction and counteraction to what the opposing team is doing, during a game. We have all seen how some teams are shifting to a back 3 in possession and then to a back 4 when being attacked. This is a prime example. Formations have become completely fluid creatures that shift and evolve throughout a game. People talk about "shape" but that, to me, is more about coverage of both vital areas of the field and areas from which there is potential danger.

9.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 16:39:59
I think talking about formations is completely useless. Simply because in the modern game, nobody sticks to one precisely, throughout a game and from one game to another. It's all more about reaction and counteraction to what the opposing team is doing, during a game. We have all seen how some teams are shifting to a back 3 in possession and then to a back 4 when being attacked. This is a prime example. Formations have become completely fluid creatures that shift and evolve throughout a game. People talk about "shape" but that, to me, is more about coverage of both vital areas of the field and areas from which there is potential danger.

10.) 08 Oct 2018
08 Oct 2018 19:09:14
Spot on, ArAy1969 and Salah. OP, so we should ditch a system that has done us proud since Klopp came cos we are not scoring as many goals? Really? Have you forgotten how it has been when we would have to outscore teams just to have a chance of winning cos our defence and GK were crap until VVD and Karius were installed since Jan? Also, formations, make no sense cos our team is very versatile and so is the front three.

You say Klopp should go with the 4-3-2-1. You are aware that Klopp tried it vs Saints and tho we won, we were way too exposed in midfield cos Shaq was NOT tracking back, something Ox did a tonne (he is the one we miss the most, IMO and not Fekir, right? If Saints could find that much joy, what do you think City would have done with such space? Exactly. Moral of the story? We are joint top with the best defence (Wait, what? ) in the PL with City, level on points with City, and are undefeated you know, like City. LIFE IS GOOD, man. Chill out and trust the manager and players to get better and stop trying to throw the baby out with the bath water just cos we are not scoring goals or cos the manager is not doing what you nor I want.

11.) 09 Oct 2018
09 Oct 2018 15:32:07
BRover,
You do realize that you don’t need Shaqiri to track back given you play with two holding mid? I really hope Klopp play him in the next match that you lose your stupid argument of this “ not tracking back “
A lot of playmakers doesn’t track back! Hazard, Ozil etc and I don’t see anyone having a problem with it.

Firmino could easily drop into the middle to make up the numbers which he is doing atm. And that isolates our attack upfront!
Shaqiri will add goals! Don’t you like it mate?

12.) 09 Oct 2018
09 Oct 2018 19:09:26
Harry, for someone who likes to tout players and systems, I am shocked (not really) that you clearly have no idea of how Klopp wants his midfielders (no. 10 or not) to play so I'll let you wallow in your ignorance cos me explaining it to you is just too tedious and an excercise in futility. You clearly watch us with a view to criticize Klopp or the players instead of watching exactly how we play, which is not that hard to figure out. Also, Ozil Hazard and the rest of you fantasies don't play for us so no one cares and Klopp will not be changing his style to suit me or you and thank heavens for that. Peace!