Liverpool’s new 4-4-2 makes reported £86m planned investment even more desirable

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Liverpool’s new 4-4-2 makes their reported plan to invest £86m even more desirable. The Reds must now make their statement signing.

Jurgen Klopp made a big decision this week as he switched Liverpool to a 4-4-2. The change from his usual 4-3-3 is something we rarely see and it’s a sign of things not going to plan at the club.

More than that, it’s a sign that the current group of players may not suit the 4-3-3. Liverpool certainly looked more dynamic going forward, with both Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez thriving as a tandem strike force. They’ll only become more deadly and difficult to handle with time.

The movement of both Jota and Nunez allowed Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah to drift all over the place, too. The midfield pair, Jordan Henderson and Thiago, were able to focus on purely midfield duties and their all-around games worked wonderfully with less need to push forward.

And so it all begs the question – should Liverpool double-down here? As they look to make big changes in 2023, bringing the 4-4-2 to the forefront could affect transfer plans.

Liverpool’s new 4-4-2

Liverpool don’t necessarily need to go all-out with the 4-4-2 but they’ll want players who can play it. Essentially, players who can play in the 4-3-3 but have the flexibility to play wide in a 4-4-2 would be extra valuable.

And it does seem like the Reds have the right players in mind for that. Jude Bellingham certainly seems to be a primary transfer target and the Englishman would be fantastic in this new formation.

Liverpool could play him as an out-and-out centre-midfielder in a two. Bellingham would be perfect there, given his all-around game is magnificent. But his attacking prowess also means he could play as a no.10 off the striker or even in a versatile wide role.

Similarly, AS claims the Reds bid £86m for Fede Valverde. He is a natural centre-midfielder who is thriving on the right-flank for Real Madrid right now. He honestly might be the best-possible signing for this new idea as he’s perfect in both formations.

If Klopp does wish to persist with the 4-4-2, these two players just became even more desirable.