Tactical Changes To Expect Next Season

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By Arnav Prasad

Liverpool have started strong in the Summer Transfer Window. Very Strong. Four captures already and Liverpool seem to be aiming for more.
With Brendan Rodgers’ first season over, and lots of progress seen, one can assume with these new signings, Rodgers will impose new playing styles and tactics next season to his own liking. Here are a few we can expect:

A Higher Defensive Line:
This one was used at the start of last season, and backfired incredibly. Due to loss of form of Martin Skrtel, and injury to Martin Kelly, Liverpool were rescued by legend Jamie Carragher. However, Carragher lacked the speed and agility to keep a high line. Credit to Rodgers though, he noticed and kept the line further back. It worked, and Liverpool ended the season with a much stronger defence than before. With the addition of Kolo Toure, we can’t expect him to be as agile as others, but the return of Martin Kelly, and Rodgers himself saying that another defender is needed, this is one we should expect to make a return, and better than the past.

Three At The Back:
This is one which we saw on a few occasions last season, most notably the second half against Everton away, and the first 45 against Fulham away. Rodgers has tinkered with it multiple times in Europe too, but not to much success, with the game against Everton the only exception. Andre Wisdom, Martin Kelly, Sebastian Coates, Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and probably a new signing will provide great players for this system. Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique and even Stewart Downing also seem custom-made for the wing-back role. Definitely one to watch out for next season.

False Nine?:
One which had been much talked about during Luis Suarez’s suspension against West Ham last season, and even used in that match, with Jonjo Shelvey being used on that occasion. With Suarez’s future in doubt, could this be a possibility? Even with Shelvey off to Swansea, there are still various options available in the squad. With the kind of deep role played by the False Nine, the teamwork in the final third really comes into play. Looking at the squad, the most likely candidates seem to be Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, maybe even Philippe Coutinho? Rumored new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also very capable of this role. Of course, the probability of this being used is much lower than others, but in the event of something happening to Sturridge or Borini, this would be a good option. Regardless, this one would be very interesting to watch next season.