Switching Formation to Evolve?

My thoughts on us switching to a two man midfield and why it could be beneficial.

Numerous journalists saying we’ve concluded our business in the transfer window after signing Carvalho, Nunez and Ramsey already. This means no midfield signing is coming this summer which could warrant a shift to a two man midfield. Midfield is the only area we lack qualitative depth now so using a two man midfield might suppress this issue. The common belief is that Klopp has a plan to switch formation to a two man midfield in the coming seasons anyway, after the signing of Nunez this looks like a huge possibility. Our midfield woes are just another reason to change sooner rather than later.

A two man isn’t something that is entirely new to us as we fall into this shape in and out of position. This is something I’ve discussed in previous articles, sometimes we’ll press in a front four and leave the left-sided 8, usually Thiago and Fab deeper as a double pivot. The right 8 will push up and press with the attackers. A few of our midfielders have played in a double pivot before at previous clubs, Thiago with Bayern, Fabinho with Monaco. It wouldn’t be abnormal for them. These two are the first names on the team sheet in midfield, they can rotate with Keita and Henderson. Jones is also capable of playing here, being the less defensive one of the two.

You’ll also find that when we need a goal toward the end of a game, we’ll sub on another attacker and take off a midfielder and switch to a front four. An example of this being our 1-0 victory over Wolves last season, we subbed Origi on for Henderson to create an attacking overload and it worked with Origi scoring a late winner.

Fabinho had some rocky moments last season playing in a lone pivot so having another 6 next to him gives extra security too. Any formation with two in midfield, a 4231 or a 424 is a good option.

We desperately need another #6 or #8 in the team, Thiago and Keita are injury prone, Henderson is ageing and is sometimes frustrating to watch. An injury to Fabinho and Thiago/Keita and the head falls off. We’re back to playing the likes of Milner and Ox on a regular basis. Our signing needs to be another player comfortable of playing in a pivot. Vitinha is my choice, he plays in a pivot at Porto and has similar traits to Thiago. Great at progressing play with line breaking passes, controlling the tempo, he’s comfortable on the ball too and is excellent at building out from the back.

The signing of Nunez, an out-an-out number nine who isn’t the best at linking up play and creating demands a creator behind him, a number 10. We’ve got plenty of options in this position. Firmino, Elliott and Carvalho all good choices.

Throughout the entirety of the Klopp era we’ve played with a false nine the majority of the time. Firmino was the one who created, held up play and drew players out of position for Mane and Salah to score. The fact that Nunez isn’t this mould of forward requires someone to feed him and the wide players opportunities.

Nunez will also help us massively when attacking due to his presence in the box. This is something we’ve lacked this season. When pinning teams back and dominating the ball, we need a threat in the box who can bully defenders and win aerial duels. His athleticism gives him ability to do that. This season aimlessly crossing the ball into the box to our 5ft 9 wingers has felt soul destroying at times. That’s why it has felt like sometimes we’ve had all the possession and not posed any actual threats.

Possession based football is something the team is comfortable with now especially the defence when passing out from the back. I feel the stage were at with this in terms of technical ability gives us that luxury of putting a man from midfield further forward to support an attack. The players in the pivot will be comfortable enough at recycling the play, and building up as a two instead of a three.

Next summer, reinforcing the midfield options is a must. Ox, if he doesn’t leave this summer will most likely go and so will Milner too. I’d look to bring in Vitinha and Kone or Sangare for the more defensive role in a pivot.