The Klopp’s Predicament and the Decision Between Formation and Individual Performance in the Luis Diaz Debate Chelsea is Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League opponent, and Jurgen Klopp has some difficult decision-making to make.
Liverpool hit yet another low in a turbulent season with a terrible Premier League loss at Manchester City. Mohamed Salah gave the Reds an early advantage, but they ultimately fell to the champions 4-1 at home.
Liverpool will now attempt to escape suffering their fourth straight loss when they visit Chelsea on Tuesday. And now, as his team prepares to play again, we look ahead to potential adjustments Jurgen Klopp may make. The Liverpool team must make tough choices as a consequence of their subpar performance at the weekend’s second half.
Alisson Becker, the goalie, was uncriticized despite having four leaks. He continues to be favored over Adrian and Caomhin Kelleher as the goalkeeper. However, there might be openings elsewhere. Before the end of the game, Kostas Tsimikas took Andy Robertson’s place at left-back because he was significantly below par.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also had a challenging afternoon. James Milner and Joe Gomez are both possibilities for right back. Since neither Ibrahima Konate nor Virgil van Dijk performed well at the Etihad, center-back may also undergo adjustments. Gomez, Joel Matip, and Nat Phillips were all on the sidelines. Rhys Williams has been troubled by a small problem.
The central query
Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, and Stefan Bajcetic are all injured, and Stefan Bajcetic is out for the remainder of the season, leaving Liverpool with a dearth of center options.
At least one of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho could be rotated if Klopp switches back to a 4-3-3, with Harvey Elliott, who was on the right at City, moving inside.
They were at the basis of a two-man engine room at the weekend. However, Arthur Melo was left out, and Curtis Jones has missed five of the previous six Premier League games. Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both came off the substitute.
Diaz’s dilemma
The question for Liverpool up front is whether to rush the return of Luis Diaz, who Klopp hinted last week would be ready for bench duty against Arsenal next Sunday.
If not, the alternative choice is whether to return to a three-man front with Darwin Nunez, whose ankle injury is anticipated to heal completely.
Mohamed Salah would then move back to the right wing, Cody Gakpo and Roberto Firmino would compete for the center position, and Nunez and Diogo Jota would compete for the left flank. There are options, with Firmino or Gakpo advancing from deep in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and Jota capable of leading the assault.
The best way to handle Chelsea’s anticipated three-man defense will be largely decided by Klopp’s use of the 4-4-2 formation at various points this season. The pick of Fabio Carvalho, who was not on the City roster, is more improbable.
