Liverpool has seemingly opted against adding a midfielder in the January transfer window, with Jürgen Klopp forced to find internal solutions to his issues.
As the January transfer window comes to a close, it seems Liverpool is going to opt against using the market to add a midfielder to the ranks, which is a real transfer gamble considering its showings of late. Jürgen Klopp has suffered on the back of his midfield department this term, but the Reds have missed their chance to strengthen this month.
For the next six months, the German will have to source internal solutions to his ongoing engine room problem, perhaps even by conducting one or two experiments as a means of fixing his team. Liverpool has already tried a number of different things, but hasn’t yet found an effective solution.
With half of the campaign still remaining, what else could Klopp do to tackle his detrimental issues in the middle of the park? Let’s take a look at three options that could be explored over the next 19 Premier League matches.
4-2-3-1
One obvious solution that Klopp could explore in the coming months is a change in formation from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1. It is reasonable to suggest that can’t happen until one or two of Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz and Roberto Firmino return to action, but it is a plausible fix nevertheless.
Within the confines of that formation, the midfield two would primarily be tasked with showcasing lateral movements from side to side rather than being expected to run from penalty box to penalty box, and that could suit their aging profiles. Moreover, Klopp’s attacking department has been regenerated in recent windows, with Jota, Díaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez all aged 26 or under.
When everybody is fit, the attack has the legs and energy to uphold the intense principles of Klopp’s demanding game, which explains why 4-2-3-1 would make a degree of sense, as it would incorporate four of his attackers rather than three.
Stick with Stefan Bajčetić
The most recent experiment that Klopp has conducted has consisted of Stefan Bajčetić replacing Fabinho as the team’s holding midfielder. Just 18 years old, fielding the Spaniard as a starter on a regular basis is definitely a risk, but he’s impressed in a red shirt over the past month.
In too many matches this term, Fabinho has been chasing shadows. The South American has almost appeared stuck in the mud at times, and even after being introduced as a substitute against Brighton on the weekend, he should have received a red card for a horror challenge on Evan Ferguson.
The Brazilian international is still just 29, but he’s looked closer to 35 this season. Bajčetić still has plenty of development to experience behind the scenes and he’s far from primed to perform at the pinnacle of the sport every three days, but given Fabinho’s sudden decline, keeping the teenager in the team for the rest of the campaign is becoming a very realistic option for Klopp.
Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield
It is an idea that has been talked about on a countless number of occasions since his emergence from the youth ranks on Merseyside, but fielding Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder is a wildcard option for Klopp to consider.
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The Scouse full-back is known for his passing range, composure on the ball and almost unrivalled technical ability. As a consequence, many people believe that he’s more suited to playing in midfield than in defense, and that makes even more sense once considering his shortcomings against the ball.
Gareth Southgate conducted the experiment for England in a match against Andorra around 18 months ago, and Klopp could follow suit. Unlike many of the midfielders in the Reds squad right now, Alexander-Arnold is experiencing his prime years of performance, aged 24. He isn’t over the hill, and he isn’t too young either.
For that reason, Liverpool could benefit from his legs in the center.
