Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp vows to be tactically flexible throughout season

'Not stubborn': Jurgen Klopp
AFP/Getty Images
David Lynch2 November 2018

Jurgen Klopp has vowed to keep tinkering with Liverpool’s formation as the season progresses, insisting he is not ‘stubborn’ when it comes to how he sets his team up.

The German has opted for a 4-2-3-1 system in the Reds’ last two outings - comfortable wins over Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff City in the Premier League and Champions League respectively.

Those selections marked a departure from the 4-3-3 most regularly seen from Liverpool so far this term and indeed since Klopp’s arrival at the club.

But, when asked whether he might stick to this new shape going forward, the Reds manager suggested further changes should be expected throughout the campaign.

He said: “Players shouldn't lose rhythm if you change the system a little bit. It's not like we are only playing with two at the back and eight up front. It's really not that massive a difference.

“The system is there to bring the players at their best and most comfortable position, but if they stay in that position it's a boring game, they have to move.

“You need to create a formation for defending where everybody knows what to do, and then a formation offensively where everybody is in their best area on the pitch. We can do that in different ways.

“We are not that stubborn system-wise. We were never. Maybe without people seeing it, we have already played a diamond this season and nobody spoke about it. Obviously it wasn't that obvious otherwise there'd have been big stories about it!

“We try to use players in the best way and give them the position where they can shine.”

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