Aurelien Tchouameni could trigger 4-2-3-1 Liverpool formation change – RTK View

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Liverpool want Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco, according to reports. The midfielder could trigger a formation change.

The Athletic claims Liverpool want Aurelien Tchouameni. The Monaco midfielder is on their shortlist for long-term midfielders, with several current stars facing uncertain futures.

You can read our initial thoughts on that here.

And there’s little doubt that Tchouameni would be a fantastic addition. The 21-year-old has been a revelation for Monaco over the last 18 months, winning Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, making the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and forcing his way into the France side.

Monaco teammate Cesc Fabregas gave him a glowing review in the summer in amongst numerous transfer reports.

“He has the potential to be the complete midfielder,” he wrote. “Modern midfield player.”

And so Liverpool’s interest shouldn’t surprise anyone. The bigger story here is that Tchouameni might force a formation change at Anfield.

Liverpool look at Aurelien Tchouameni

If you had to compare Tchouameni to any current Liverpool player, it would be Fabinho. He’s a tall, imposing midfielder who boasts a wonderful ability to break up play. The Frenchman boasts over 2.5 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game this season, for instance.

And so, what’s the plan? Because Fabinho is the last midfielder who needs replacing and Liverpool only use one sitting player.

We wonder if they’re planning a change, however, by looking at Tchouameni – he could partner the Brazilian. We’re already seeing that change a little. Liverpool are pushing their right-sided midfielder far further forward than they have in recent years.

In fact, we saw Harvey Elliott play that role as an attacking midfielder who dropped into the more traditional midfield three. The left-sided of the trio tends to sit a little more with Fabinho.

And so signing Tchouameni to make this a permanent change could make sense. He’d operate a defensive shield alongside the other ex-Monaco midfielder, allowing for a no.10 in front of them.

It’s the role he plays at Monaco, after all. The principality always play with a sitting two, rather than a three like Liverpool.

It’s what makes the most sense to us. Otherwise, we can’t really see the justification for spending big to sign Tchouameni. His ideal role is already taken at Liverpool – but perhaps they’ll create a new one.