Liverpool Setup for Next Season
Liverpool Ideal Setup for the Long term
With Slot looking increasingly likely to be sacked, this is how I would prefer us to look next season.
I feel we should just ditch the wingers considering Salah's departure and play a 442 diamond or a 442 flat that becomes 424 in the opponents half when we don't have the ball. We don't have any competent wingers other than Rio atm. We have 2 competent strikers that can be utilised to their fullest in a 442.
Gakpo recently has started playing better than he was previously. I feel this is after he started playing more centrally as the CF instead of the LW where he becomes more one dimensional. In the 442, he can utilise his height and play as the LCF.
Considering we already sealed Jacquet and Konate looks like he's signing, I think the centre backs are not the major area of concern for next season. Right back also looks covered with Frimpong, Bradley and Joey G. Replacing Robbo is going to be the key and I don't think Tsimikas is good enough. The ideal replacement would be someone who can play LB and CB like Van de Ven/Bastoni.
Another area of concern is the midfield. I think it's crucial that we get a player who can play deeper. Ideal mould would be someone like Wharton or Stiller, who are more composed and can pick a pass. We need someone to find a pass that Trent used to do on a regular basis.
If Macca/Jones ends up leaving, we would need to replace them. Someone like a Joao Gomes would be a great addition along with Nyoni maturing. Let's hope Bajcetic comes back and takes Endo's spot.
With the 2 striker formation, it would be ideal to get another cheaper striker like a Luis Suarez from Sporting or Junior Kroupi. A left footed striker would be even more ideal. This signing and Gakpo would be backups to Isak and Ekitike. Wirtz, Szobo can both play as one of the 2 up top so it makes good sense.
I'm mainly going for the 2 striker formation because we ended up buying 2 leading forwards and not playing one is a crime and a further waste of money. This might hamper Rio's development but I think he will get his chances as a supersub and start the odd games as an LM or LW. We will probably end up selling Chiesa, so it makes sense to ditch wingers altogether rather than trying to replace all of them.
Manager - Xabi Alonso
This is the crucial piece. I don't know if he will play a formation like this but I'm pretty sure he will not be hell bent on playing a pre conceived formation that he has, instead of utilising the players at his disposal. We saw this at Madrid where he didn't play the system he was playing at Leverkusen.
My ideal and realistic starting 11:
Alisson
Frimpong Konate Vvd Kerkez
Szobo Gravenberch Wharton Wirtz
Ekitike Isak
I hope we spend wisely and utilise all our players to the fullest along with important signings to improve the depth to fight on all fronts.
Would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this.