Talking Tactics

We’re on a run of bad form at the moment so I wanted to explore some tactical setups (including our current one) and weigh up their pros and cons.

4-4-2:

GK- Alisson
RB- Bradley
CBR- Konate
CBL- Van Dijk
LB- Kerkez
RM- Salah
CMR- Gravenberch
CML- Mac Alisster
LM- Wirtz
STR- Ekitike
STL- Isak

Pros- Isak and Ekitike play together which I think could work well with Ekitike more inclined to drop off the back line and link up play and Isak more inclined to make runs in behind. Cons- Salah having more defensive responsibility as well as fulls backs in the absence of a 3 man midfield. Beneficiaries- Isak and Ekitike. Unhappiest- Salah having to defend a lot.

4-3-3:

GK- Alisson
RB- Bradley/Frimpong
CBR- Konate
CBL- Van Dijk
LB- Kerkez
CDM- Gravenberch
CMR- Szoboszlai
CML- Mac Allister
RW- Salah
LW- Wirtz
ST- Isak/Ekitike

Pros- Would balance midfield with a dedicated cdm. Szoboszlai playing cmr would absolve Salah of defensive responsibility without leaving us too exposed. Having a Cdm would go some way to free our attacking full backs to attack. Cons- Wirtz not in best position (CAM) in my opinion. Isak or Ekitike must be dropped. Beneficiaries- Salah. Szoboszlai has stable tactical position (used in multiple positions so far). Frimpong may benefit from the freedom given by having a dedicated cdm Unhappiest- Ekitike. Gravenberch is forced deeper/more defensive.

5-2-3:

GK- Alisson
CBR- Gomez
CB- Konate
CBL- Van Dijk
WBR- Frimpong
WBL- Kerkez
CMR- Gravenberch
CML- Mac Allister
AMR- Salah
AML- Wirtz
ST- Isak/Ekitike

Pros- Would unlock the attacking potential of Frimpong and Kerkez. Would also get the best out of Wirtz and Salah with the freedom of being a half-winger, half Cam roles. Having 3 centre backs would help with playing out from the back (which we've struggled with lately). Cons- Don't have centre back depth to play with 3 centre backs often. Mac Allister isn't the most mobile so might struggle in what is effectively a 2-man midfield defensively. Beneficiaries- Frimpong, Kerkez and Wirtz. Unhappiest- Gakpo and Ngumoha- traditional wingers wouldn't have a place. Mac Allister for reasons already mentioned.

4-2-3-1:

GK- Alisson
RB- Bradley
CBR- Konate
CBL- Van Dijk
LB- Kerkez
CMR- Gravenberch
CML- Mac Allister
RW- Salah
CAM- Wirtz
LW- Gakpo
ST- Isak/Ekitike

Pros- Salah and Wirtz are in preferred positions. Cons- both full backs have a lot of defensive responsibility playing in a team with 2 centre backs and no dedicated cdm. Beneficiaries- Gakpo has a regular place. Wirtz and Salah play in preferred positions. Unhappiest- full backs but particularly Frimpong.

I don't think it's panic stations yet but our performances haven't been great thus far even though we won our first 5 games and combined with the changes in personnel over the Summer I think it's worth considering some alternative tactical setups. Of course there's the argument that nothing needs changing and the new signings just haven't adapted to the team yet.