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They Take Your Breath Away – How 4-2-3-1 To 4-3-3 Has Transformed Liverpool’s Gameplay

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A compact system of 5-man midfield is most prevalent in the EPL. This formation allows for 2 players to sit right in front of the defence, whilst 2 others man the wings, and 1 stays right behind the striker. It no doubt yields desired results, as it’s able to help with counters, and as well help prevent them.

However, one man has decided to break from that norm. After having stuck with it last season upon his arrival in the topflight, Jurgen Klopp has returned to the more conservative 3-man midfield. 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards.

It was with this age-long formation that the German won 2 Bundesliga titles and a DFB Kopal less than 5 seasons ago, so its efficacy should never be questioned, and here is how the switch to it from the popular 4-2-3-1 has helped transform the Reds.

It allows for joint attacking and defending pressing

Klopp is already delivering on his promise of “heavy metal” football, with the high pressing style causing teams all sorts of trouble.

And its near inch-perfect level of mastery can be traced back to this formation. It was deployed against Barcelona in the pre-season, to a devastating effect as the Reds cruised to an emphatic 4-nil victory.

Every unit attacks with the ball when in possession and together come to the defensive aid of one another without it. So even if you’re able to get past 2 couple of players, there is hardly enough space for you to explore to continue your attack. It simply neutralizes opposition’s fluidity on the ball.

The trio of Lallana, Henderson and Wijnaldum have executed their respective roles to utmost brilliant perfection.

With Henderson more sat back, it allows the other 2 to roam the middle freely while launching into the opposition box. And without the ball, they all press, leaving no chance for small spaces to be exploited.

Obviously, it’s working perfectly

The Barcelona trouncing was immediately disregarded after a worn out and fatigued Liverpool side lost to Mainz by the same scoreline in less than 24 hours.

But that famous victory, which will forever remain in the hearts of Liverpool’s fans can’t be simply discarded as a hoax. Even though it was nothing but a mere friendly game.

Only Burnley has defeated them this season, in what was probably a case of ill luck. On other occasions, they have either cruised to emphatic victories, completed impressive comebacks or proved to be the better version of the system.

Hull City and Leicester City have found out the hard way how at home Liverpool can be with the new formation on their day. Chelsea and Arsenal attempted to fight back when the damage had already been done and dusted, while Tottenham, another high pressing side were lucky to have gotten a draw in their own backyard.

We all can’t wait to see how Manchester United fare against the Reds next Monday.

It’s dynamic

The 4-3-3 formation Liverpool employ differs from the type we are used to, and that’s a reason why it’s doing excellently well.

Every player in every position doesn’t assume a static role. Including the goalie (Karius in this case). The full backs will often link up with the attack over and over again, making the team shift to a defence of 3, with Henderson dropping deeper.

And right at the other end of the pitch, the attacking trio are interchanging positions every other minute. Mane and Coutinho can be seen drifting into the middle, to allow the full backs more spaces, while Firmino will often drop deep.

At these instances, the formation is more like a 3-4-2-1. When without the ball, it’s more like a 4-5-1 formation. And then back to a 4-3-3 when everything looks balanced. It’s that dynamism, and that’s the only reason it’s working out on a consistent basis.

This paradigm shift from the status quo formation has been largely powered by Klopp’s summer signing and an effective pre-season preparations and the amazing transformation it’s having on the team will no doubt lead to glory.