Despite all the problems Liverpool have faced this season due to injury concerns, the club has done very well in the Premier League and Champions League. Shockingly, Liverpool drew against Midtjylland but will be expected to return back to winning ways as they travel to Craven Cottage this weekend. Klopp will be glad with a boosted squad at his disposal after suffering without most of his stars in the last couple of months.
Fulham have been woeful in the Premier League after jumping from the Championship this season. Jurgen Klopp will take this game with utmost seriousness though as the newcomers have a lot of pace upfront and can score goals in the blink of an eye. Several key players have made their way back to fitness and will be expected to use this game to push them into matchday squads.
Let us now have a look at how Jurgen Klopp might set his Liverpool side against Fulham at the Craven Cottage.
THE 4-3-3
Jurgen Klopp has used the 4-3-3 to great effect at Liverpool as this system allows the team to press high up the pitch with the full-backs and also defend. Jordan Henderson has led this Liverpool side well and in such a system will sit deep and protect the centre-backs. With him, Wijnaldum and Naby Keita will be expected to complete the midfield trio, as together they performed very well last season.
The defense also looks strong after Alexander-Arnold’s successful return from injury, which will also be a boost for Liverpool going forward. The right-back comes in field and plays alongside the midfielder in transition and also goes down the flank. Sadio Mane hasn’t done very well recently and Diogo Jota might have edged past him with a place in the starting XI.
But it will be interesting to see how Klopp chooses as the front-three in a 4-3-3 formation. Salah and Firmino have done well this season as Salah and Jota have been the prime scorers for the Reds this season. Allison is also very likely to return in between the sticks with Kelleher doing well during the Brazilian’s absence.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is arguably the strongest formation according to system and personnel both for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool currently. Wijnaldum and Henderson have done extremely well in the midfield pivot as they have shielded the defence successfully with Van Dijk’s absence. Both the midfielders are full of running and also give the full-backs their freedom as both of them are great going forward and joining the attack.
The main factor for Liverpool with such a system is that the team will have one of the best attack in the world with all four of Salah, Firmino, Jota and Mane all in the starting lineup. The four strikers also work back when needed and that is how Klopp has created a balance at Liverpool. Looking at the current scenario and the position of Fulham and Liverpool on the Premier League table, the game should be a cakewalk for the Reds in the weekend, as they continue their title defence.
