Why Liverpool should be more tactically flexible this season

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Liverpool should be far more tactically flexible this season, thanks to the new options available.

Jurgen Klopp has some new weapons in his arsenal. No, they’re not new signings and, indeed, he thought he’d have them last season, too.

But now they’re here: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster. The duo are back from injury after lengthy lay-offs, ready to bring something that Liverpool lack.

In the case of Oxlade-Chamberlain, it’s the versatility and pace he brings. He’s capable of playing wide but midfield is his preference – and his directness adds something that Liverpool didn’t have last year.

Brewster is slightly different in that he only really plays one position – striker. But he’s the out-and-out striker that Liverpool don’t have.

Divock Origi drifts across the front line and Roberto Firmino drops deep. Brewster is a goalscorer who wants to get at goal.

Yes, he can play as a sole striker but it might be a little more exciting to see him in a front two. You can imagine interesting partnerships with Firmino, Sadio Mane, or Mohamed Salah. Brewster and Origi could be a very direct duo on their own – and we may see it soon.

And Liverpool have the players behind them to make it work. Oxlade-Chamberlain may even suit a role on the right in a 4-4-2, while Naby Keita has played left-midfield, too, or Mane could pick that role up. Right there is a decent, simple set-up that wasn’t available last season.

And could three at the back work? Joel Matip came into his own last season and Joe Gomez has played in a three for England. Add them alongside Virgil van Dijk and things look interesting – especially with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold as wing-backs, roles they virtually play anyway.

3-5-2? 3-4-3? Liverpool could make them all work.

We’ve only really seen two systems from Klopp – 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 – but that could change this season. Liverpool should be much more tactically flexible and that’s an extra edge as they look to improve on last season.