According to the Liverpool Echo, we’re going to play a 3-4-2-1 tonight versus Bordeaux, which could show a change in tact for Brendan Rodgers stylistically after our two horrible Premier League results.
With the players available, this is a likely XI, and the one heavily mooted as a starting team in France at 6pm.
But what are the benefits of the formation change? And will it reap rewards if we stick with it for the Premier League as well?
SEE MORE:
Liverpool fans debate 3-4-2-1 on Twitter – Most excited by formation switch…
Liverpool starting XI v Bordeaux named – Rodgers reverts to 3-4-2-1
1) Gets more square pegs in square holes…
This formation enables Mamadou Sakho to play in his best position as a left-sided centre-back. It gives Alberto Moreno the freedom the traditional left-back role doesn’t. He hasn’t played there before, but Joe Gomez, naturally a centre-back with lots of fullback experience, should slot in nicely on the right, too. The two attacking midfielders play in between the lines, tucked in, which favours them more than the 4-3-3 as well. The central midfielders play as central midfielders, with defensive and offensive responsibilities. The only player the formation doesn’t naturally suit is Jordon Ibe, but interestingly, he’s enjoyed his best performances for Liverpool as a wing-back, not as winger.
2) Breaks up the Lovren/Skrtel partnership…
By using three at the back, Mamadou Sakho gets back in the side, much to the delight of Liverpool fans everywhere. Our defence significantly improved when we switched to the wing-back style last season, and it was largely to do with Lovren leaving the XI and Sakho joining it. Sakho is the natural, obvious choice for the left-sided centre-back spot, while Martin Skrtel is seemingly an automatic lynchpin in the middle come the Premier League fixtures. On the other side, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Kolo Toure or even Nathaniel Clyne could fill in. Emre Can did last year, but he’s a midfielder now. If we do well tonight, Rodgers surely can’t switch back to a flat-back-four on Sunday, with Lovren and Skrtel at its heart.
3) Gets attacking midfielders closer to the centre-forward…
One of the problems so far this term is that Christian Benteke has been isolated – with the wide players in the 4-3-3 often tracking back and leaving him without support. He’s won his headers, but there’s rarely been anyone to lay the ball off to. Tonight, Divock Origi will fill in for him, but he won’t do at the weekend. Crucially, this formation, if we stick with it, means Roberto Firmino could play closer to Coutinho, as Adam Lallana will tonight, and hopefully the pair can form the kind of relationship they’ve shown with Brazil – tucked in behind a centre-forward. With overlapping wing-backs, Benteke, or whoever plays up top, will have crosses to feed off as well.
4) Enhances width…
We’ve been playing a 4-3-3, but as Jordon Ibe is the only natural winger in the squad, we’ve struggled to create proper chances down the flanks. Coutinho is wasted on the left here, and Roberto Firmino looks pretty shoddy on the wing – which isn’t his fault – he’s not a winger. With bombarding wing-backs we stretch the pitch, and the two attacking midfielders have the licence to find pockets of space and link up with them from a more comfortable central starting position. It relies heavily on Ibe (and in future Clyne) and Moreno playing well, but all have the ability to do just that.
