Rodgers is smart to use wing-backs, and here’s why…
Brendan Rodgers used a 3-4-3 against Manchester United on Sunday, and is set to do so again versus Bournemouth in the League Cup.
It involves adding an extra centre-back alongside Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren, and pushing Alberto Moreno and Jordan Henderson into more advanced wing-back roles.
Here’s six reasons why it’s a bold, but clever move…
1) It protects Steven Gerrard in central midfield…
If there’s been one main criticism of our captain this season, it’s been that his ability to provide a defensive platform from the base of midfield has been pretty poor. He’s found midfield runners difficult to track, and has struggled to deal with a quick opposition press. With four at the back, the fullbacks push up, meaning there’s sometimes only two outfield red shirts behind Gerrard during games. With three at the back though, the 34-year-old has added protection when he’s both in and out of possession. It also enables him to drop deep and pick up possession easier, as there’s an extra player to collect the ball from – meaning the centre-backs can manoeuvre the ball around until Gerrard is in space.
2) It suits Alberto Moreno especially, and provides the team genuine width…
Moreno is much more able offensively than he is defensively, which makes him naturally a better left wing-back than he is a full-back. Since transferring in the summer, he’s struggled, but this formation suits him perfectly. Jordan Henderson has boundless energy, which will make him a more than capable right wing-back, despite the fact he’ll be used in central midfield long-term… By using wing-backs, our width is enhanced. With the 4-3-3, we had to rely on the likes of Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling and Coutinho to provide width, but they would look to step inside nearly every time. Now – Moreno and Henderson will happily hug their touchlines and overlap the attacking midfielders, who’ll be glad of a more central starting position.
3) It suits counter-attacking rather than possession football…
During many matches this season, we’ve pointlessly passed the ball around the back, with no obvious clue as to how the possession would then lead to chances created. Traditionally, wing-back formations maximise a side’s ability to counter-attack rather than keep the ball. By keeping men back in defensive positions, but having wing-backs capable of quickly transforming from defenders into attackers, a team’s transition through the thirds can be swift and penetrating. Liverpool were at their devastating best in 2013/14 when they used the speed of the front three to tear teams apart. With Raheem Sterling up top, Moreno and Henderson wide – and Lallana, Coutinho or Markovic driving through the midfield – our pace and counter attack will be more easily utilised.
4) It proves Brendan Rodgers is thinking creatively and that he’s willing to adapt tactically…
In 2013/14, Rodgers was heralded as brilliant because of his ability to switch between tactics and formations seamlessly during matches – usually to positive effect, too. His switch to a 3-4-3 proves he’s thinking, and trying everything possible on the training field to fix our season. Has he lost the dressing room and run out of ideas? Thankfully, it appears not…
5) Despite the scoreline and the lack of goals scored against Manchester United, we created so many more chances using a 3-4-3 than we have throughout the campaign…
While Liverpool’s defensive frailties are by no means a myth, they’re arguably less of an issue than the often complete lack of creativity which has plagued our season. We couldn’t defend last term either – but it didn’t matter because we scored more than the opposition!
Versus United – the attacking trio of Adam Lallana, Coutinho and Raheem Sterling looked menacing early on, and if their finishing had been up to scratch, the scoreline could have been completely different. They made chances, their movement was clever, and they frightened the United defenders.
Using the 3-4-3 for the first time all season, we fell to a 3-0 defeat. But offensively, we can take more heart from that performance than we can from nearly all the others.
6) It gets more of our game-changers on the field…
By deploying the 4-3-3, only two properly creative midfielders are actually used – and both in wide positions off the central striker. Throughout the campaign, this spearhead had been Mario Balotelli or Rickie Lambert due to Daniel Sturridge’s injury, and it plainly hasn’t worked.
Rodgers is now willing to trust Sterling to play a ‘false 9’ role, meaning he’ll be used centrally (about time), but given the freedom to drop deep and collect possession.
It also enables two of either Lallana, Coutinho or Markovic to play alongside him – meaning three genuine attacking midfielders are used instead of the two more disciplined wide-men of the 4-3-3.
What’s more, they’ll have overlapping wing-backs to send to the byline, as well…
