10 Oct 2015 00:41:16
Klopp previously tried to sign benteke at BVB. So I would assume he will be happy to have him. My question is this, because he likes to play a 4231 with benteke presumably up front, do you think Sturridge would have an issue playing on the right side of that attacking midfield 3? Even though traditionally klopp keeps those midfield 3 narrow so they can hit on the counter leaving the wing backs pushed higher up. So he's not exactly a winger but not exactly striker either. Also with his injuries do you think Sturridge can adapt to the intense pressure style?

1.) 10 Oct 2015
10 Oct 2015 01:11:56
I'm sure Klopp knows more than just the one formation.

2.) 10 Oct 2015
10 Oct 2015 02:17:17
I remember in the season we came second with the narrow diamond formation coutinho player primarily right of the the three with sterling at 10. Maybe him or firmino could sit deeper allowing them to get on the ball more, with the other at 10, hendo/Milner the other side to press and Lucas sitting. Allows Sturridge and benteke up front with Ings an option too. More players in their right position and playing narrow defensively and counter attacking from deep With the likes of hendo and coutinho picking the ball up in our half

3.) 10 Oct 2015
10 Oct 2015 03:35:49
I agree if I we play the diamond, we can play Lucas or Can at DM, Hendo or Milner at RM, Coutinho or Llalana at LM, Firmino behind the strikers and Studge and Benteke or Ings upfront. It would be a strong setup.

Most likely Klopp plays 4-2-3-1 but you never know, I'd be happy with either setup as we have more attacking mids that can score now (Firmino/Llalana and Coutinho's improved) compared 13/14 and we no longer have a Suarez to demand a spot next to Sturridge.

4.) 10 Oct 2015
10 Oct 2015 08:43:25
I agree with you guys of course he can switch up formations. A manager has to be able to do that but I would be sure he will go with 4231 at first because that is what he knows. But his philosophy if you like is to use leeway-oriented counter pressing which involves having a narrowness in that midfield 3 with the full backs moving in behind the space. Benteke is more like lewandowski than Sturridge is. He can hold the ball up better. I think like ed001 said that Sturridge will thrive for the most part in the team but only as long as he has the mindset to press with the team. But I think he will be doing this from a right attacking mid/wing position. I would prefer him there personally, I just wonder if ed001 or you guys think he would be happy in that position given his insistence on playing centre forward all throughout his career. I'm just hoping the fact that he will be quite narrow and close to Benteke is enough to keep him from having a strop

{Ed002's Note - He left Chelsea because the club wanted to play him on the left and not as a centre forward.}

5.) 10 Oct 2015
10 Oct 2015 09:08:10
You were supposed to comfort me and say "of course he will be happy to play there" ed002 haha. I'm just basing my opinion (I feel justifiably) on the fact that klopp uses those tactics I've mentioned and Sturridge's unwillingness to play out of a centre forward position which as ed002 just mentioned he was unwilling to do at Chelsea. But it's all just speculation cause who can actually know just yet? I'm just saying don't be surprised by anything. Besides I think he really can thrive in the attacking right mid position if that's where he plays and if he's scoring and assisting I think he will be happy.

6.) 10 Oct 2015
10 Oct 2015 09:36:57
I doubt Sturridge will agree to playing out wide. He left Chelsea because they wanted him to play wide, and he refused to play out wide when Suarez was here, leading Rodgers to try the diamond. I think it pointless playing him wide as he is clearly way more effect up top.