Liverpool Face Midfield Dilemma ahead of Season Opener against Chelsea
Liverpool’s new season is set to kick off with some lingering question marks surrounding their midfield and preferred system. Manager Jurgen Klopp will have to make some crucial decisions on how to deploy his available players as they face Chelsea in their opening match.
The absence of a new signing in the holding midfield position presents a challenge for Klopp. Captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s departure for Saudi Arabia last month has left a significant gap in the squad. The club’s attempts to secure Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia from Southampton have not yielded success.
Without Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago, who are match-fit after recovering from long-term injuries, Klopp lacks a specialist No 6 to start against Chelsea. One possible solution could be fielding Alexis Mac Allister in that role, considering his experience playing deeper for Brighton.
Klopp is expected to stick with the 3-4-3 system used in the latter part of last season. In this formation, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones are likely to fill the more advanced midfield positions. The back four seems more straightforward, with Andy Robertson on the left, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in the center, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the hybrid role as a right-back and midfielder.
In the attacking front, Cody Gakpo is expected to start through the center, flanked by Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. There was some debate about leaving out Jones and starting Diogo Jota as the central striker, but a more conservative decision was made for the away game against Chelsea. Jota and Darwin Nunez could provide impactful options off the bench.
Experts have weighed in with their opinions on Liverpool’s starting XI. James Pearce suggests Mac Allister as a holding midfielder, while Gregg Evans advocates for starting Jones in that position. Andy Jones believes Mac Allister is the better choice, citing his experience and responsible play. Caoimhe O’Neill also supports Jones’ inclusion as she believes he is in the best form of his career.
The front three, consisting of Gakpo, Salah, and Diaz, has received positive feedback from experts for their performances in pre-season.
Liverpool’s season opener against Chelsea promises to be an intriguing test for Klopp’s team as they navigate the midfield conundrum and aim to start the season on a strong note.