Arne Slott used the same set-up at Leeds United, once again utilizing the diamond midfield in Liverpool’s impressive Champions League victory at Inter Milan. And the Dutchman could develop an exciting new line-up if he sticks with the same formation over the coming weeks.
The Reds were without several players in Milan. Mainly Mohamed Salah, of course, but also Codi Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Jeremy Frimpong and Wataru Endo. And if Slott can mend his relationship with Salah, a 4-1-2-1-2 could allow the Egyptian to rejoin the team after the AFCON without his off-the-ball strength being a major issue.
The lack of an alternative No. 9 means Alexander Isak will need to be rotated up top with Hugo Ekitike, so using Salah as the two front strikers will allow the Swede to move in and out of the flank. His fitness will be easier to manage in the slot. At the moment, the lack of pre-season is having a huge impact on him, so it may be next season before the Premier League champions can really see how good he is.
Isak and Salah are not very similar in their off-the-ball work, but Salah can be much more creative in possession than the striker. Despite his struggles this season, the 33-year-old could actually be an improved version of the current Issac. Salah is more involved in the build-up and is better at creating goal chances.
Importantly, the diamond allows Liverpool to strengthen their defence. Having an extra body in midfield means Salah’s workload is less of an issue as the defense has extra protection. In the 4-2-3-1, Kodi Gakpo’s defensive abilities are not ideal either, creating more gaps. In a 4-1-2-1-2, Salah can stay on the last line and concentrate on runs to the back, allowing Ekitike to drop deeper to facilitate play, create an overload between the lines and give the likes of Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai a teammate to link to.
Behind the two front liners, the midfield should be nailed down. Ryan Gravenbirch sits at the bottom of the diamond, and Wirtz is the perfect player for the tip of the quartet. In the middle we have Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s player of the year, and Curtis Jones, who is currently ahead of Alexis Mac Allister. The pair could be rotated if the Argentine eventually returns to form.
Defensively, Ibrahima Konate will partner Virgil van Dijk, with the system potentially allowing all four of Conor Bradley, Jeremy Frimpong, Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkes to play their part. This set-up requires a lot of effort from the full-backs to get up and down the pitch, but it also gives them the chance to push further forward and add width in the final third.
Earlier this season, Kerkes was almost asked to play as a left-sided centre-back, but that didn’t play to his strengths. His athleticism was the main reason for the deal, and that also applies to Frimpong. Bradley has proven he can be a threat offensively as well.
It may not be the solution for the rest of the season, but this formation could be the answer while Liverpool need to be stronger at the back and have more control in the midfield. After the game at San Siro, Slott passionately said, “We gave them very few chances.”
Given Liverpool’s high level of attacking power, they need to focus on winning games rather than just not losing games in the long run, but this season they have conceded two or more goals in a game 12 times. They have only played 24 games. So for now, it makes sense to focus on consistently solid defensive performances.
This diamond could be a way for Liverpool to regain stability, momentum and confidence. They are unbeaten in four games and if they can keep that up going into the new year it will be very good for the team.
Liverpool’s 4-1-2-1-2 XI: Alisson. Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkes. Graben Birch; Jones, Szoboszlei. Wirtz, Ekitike, Salah
