Liverpool may now be forced into a significant tactical rethink following Hugo Ekitike’s ruptured Achilles injury, with James Pearce revealing the club already had a very specific attacking plan in mind for next season.
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The Frenchman’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time either, particularly after Mo Salah confirmed his departure too.
Writing for The Athletic, Pearce explained that Arne Slot had no intention of moving towards a back three despite recent speculation around the squad’s shape.
James Pearce reveals Liverpool’s original attacking plan
Instead, Liverpool were apparently preparing to build around a new-look front four.
Pearce wrote: “There’s been a lot of talk about going to a back three next season, but that’s not a system Slot has favoured.”
The reporter then revealed the vision Liverpool had been working towards behind the scenes.
“After Salah announced he was leaving in March, I was told that part of the plan going forward would be 4-2-2-2 with Isak and Ekitike paired, with Wirtz and Szoboszlai operating behind them.”
On paper, it’s easy to understand why that setup appealed.
Alexander Isak’s movement alongside Ekitike’s pace and direct running looked capable of giving Liverpool a completely different attacking dynamic, while Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai would have supplied the creativity behind them.
Instead, the injury to the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker has left Slot facing a major problem before the new campaign has even begun.
Liverpool now need pace in attack
Pearce admitted the setback changes everything for Liverpool’s recruitment plans.
“Ekitike’s ruptured Achilles means they either need someone else to fill that spot or a different system.”
The journalist also made it crystal clear what Liverpool are now lacking.
“Either way, they have to buy pace.”
That point probably explains why links to quick, direct attackers refuse to disappear.
Luis Diaz’s departure to Bayern Munich already removed one of Liverpool’s few genuine transitional threats, while Salah’s exit leaves another enormous creative and goalscoring hole.
Although Dominic King recently claimed Liverpool remain confident Ekitike will eventually return to his best levels after surgery, the reality is that an Achilles rupture can take many months to recover from.
Jermaine Pennant has shared his concerns as to whether we will see the same player return for the Reds, which is a genuine worry.
Pearce believes the best-case scenario could still keep the 23-year-old sidelined until mid-October, and that means Liverpool simply can’t afford to stand still in the transfer market now.
That system would make absolutely zero sense consider we have no depth in the squad to cover injuries and suspensions. The excuses start early I guess
It makes no sense in that the only width in the team would have come from the full backs which would expose us continually and make our play too predictable, even with a top 6 in place.
It also destroys the notion that Rio is in line for a significant place in the team in the next 12-24 months. I think the journalist just came up with this to fill a slot he needed to fill. The squad is built to be a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 team because a 2 man midfield doesn’t work in the premier league or any league for that sense anymore.
What looks good on paper doesn’t mean it will work on the pitch. Another old saying is if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Buying wirtz was always going to cause problems, where do you play him, it’s definitely upset the midfield that won the league last season.
4-2-2-2 . 4-3-3 was successful under klopp, It won the premier league with a little help from Salah. Who’s bright idea was it too completely change it.
Isak and Ekitike up front will never work. Both played in a pair against PSG and they never got a kick of the ball.
We can’t defend, our best keeper is about to be sold
The midfield can’t tackle, it can’t press or handle counter attacks.
Our best player who single handedly won the league for us last season is leaving Salah. Who’s going to replace the goals and assists he got.
Whenever wirtz , frimpong and Kirkez play we look weaker defensively.
Ekitike won’t be back, end of October
Isak is injury prone
It’s a complete and utter mess
Only the clueless would think otherwise.
4222 you’ve got to laugh.