Liverpool are certainly not in the best of forms this time of the season having slumped down in the Premier League table. The loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup also didn’t help the scousers as they next travel to London to face Mourinho’s Tottenham. This might not be the ideal time to face a Mourinho side but Klopp will have to find a way to get Liverpool back on track in the Premier League.
The Reds have a glimmer of hope though as they played very well against Manchester United in the last game. Salah and Firmino turned up and Klopp would be hoping that performance might reignite the Liverpool front three of the old times. The defence will again be Klopp’s main area of concern as the Liverpool owners are not keen on signing a centre-back in the January transfer window.
Let us now have a look at how Jurgen Klopp might set his struggling Liverpool side against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in the Premier League.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 is arguably Liverpool’s best system with all the pressure they put on the opposition when the Reds are out of possession. Thiago Alcantara was expected to bring creativity in the Liverpool midfield but he hasn’t been very effective for the Reds. He has been good on the ball but off it, he hasn’t helped the team in the counter-press and that is where Liverpool dearly miss Jordan Henderson, who might play a part against Tottenham.
Joel Matip is also expected to return to the starting XI against Tottenham in the Premier League as he was rested against United. Matip will bring solidity and experience to the Reds defence which has been missing this season. The form of Robertson and Alexander-Arnold will again be under scrutiny as both the full-backs look to have hit their ceiling already after a great season last year.
Firmino, Salah and Mane will need to be at their best as Tottenham have a solid defence and a good midfield as well. Sadio Mane needs to up his game as goals have dried up for him this season with Salah scoring the chunk of Liverpool goals.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is another system Klopp has used at Liverpool when the team needs to get going and score goals. Jordan Henderson would be an ideal player to play in the midfield pivot alongside Wijnaldum, but he is a doubt for the game. Thiago and Wijnaldum will have to play together and play well to set a platform for the Reds of Liverpool as it is kind of a must-win game for them.
Shaqiri has played well for Liverpool in the recent past and is the most likely candidate to come into the side in such a system. The Swiss international hasn’t had a lot of game time but Klopp has been turning to him recently and Shaqiri hasn’t disappointed. Roberto Firmino will hold the key for Liverpool in such a system as the No.10 role is his favoured position when he is involved in the build-up play for the Reds.
The game will be surely difficult for Liverpool as Mourinho will make life difficult for Klopp and his players to get out of London with all three points.
