Liverpool supporters watching England will have been given flashbacks late into the game after seeing Thomas Tuchel deploy his best midfielder at right-back.
With the Three Lions surprisingly toiling against DR Congo in the World Cup last-32, Tuchel had to do something to drive his team forward.
Having already switched his two wingers, the German decided to change things up, taking off the struggling Djed Spence for Eberechi Eze in a more attacking switch. Clearly, this left England without a right-back on the pitch, with Tuchel sending Declan Rice back into the full-back position.
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The switch worked a treat, England scored five minutes later and went on to win the game, with Rice looking solid at right-back while also giving him an obvious platform to whip balls into the box.
Tuchel has been praised for his bold decision in the post-match fallout, but for Liverpool fans, it was nothing new. Arne Slot deployed Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back for a large chunk of last season, and though supporters did not want to see the Hungarian in defence, Tuchel has now shown that the Dutchman might’ve been onto something.
Tuchel takes on Slot’s right-back idea
Although he never wanted to play there, Szoboszlai was actually a very good right-back for Liverpool.
Curtis Jones also stepped into the role during the final part of the season, and, just as Trent Alexander-Arnold had been doing for years, both players saw that they can actually influence the game just as much from a deeper position.
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Whether Tuchel had Slot’s Liverpool in mind when he made the switch with Rice is not clear, but it certainly worked well for the England manager.
Just like Slot, he has also been heavily influenced by injuries within his squad, but it is often at these times when tactical innovations come to the fore. It will now be fascinating to see whether Tuchel sticks with his new idea for England’s last-16 clash with Mexico on Monday.
Will Jarell Quansah be back fit for Mexico?
Part of the reason Rice had to be shunted back on Wednesday was because Tuchel’s first, second and third choice right-backs are all currently injured.
Number three on that list is former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, who had to be taken off with a twisted ankle during the group stage win over Panama.
With Tino Livramento having already flown back to England and Reece James not expected back until the quarter-final at the earliest, Quansah has a chance to play if he can get himself fit.
Tuchel had said it would be ‘tight’ for the 23-year-old to be back against DR Congo, and though he ultimately did not make it, the extra four-and-a-bit days between the matches may just give him enough time to return.
If not, Tuchel’s decision could be made for him. After Spence found the going difficult in Atlanta, the former Chelsea boss may have to go ‘full Slot’ and start Rice at right-back at the Azteca.
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