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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Josh Williams

Diogo Jota hands Liverpool a problem that is very difficult to solve

With every appearance, the clamour of support for Diogo Jota to become a regular starter for Liverpool gets louder and louder.

Indeed, the Portuguese only increased the volume by scoring the winning goal at Anfield on Saturday evening as the Reds beat West Ham United.

Jota also scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United last week, before opening the scoring against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League three days later after 55 minutes of football with the scores level.

His early impact in red has been seriously impressive, and he has made such a difference when on the field that calls are being made by supporters for him to become a part of Jurgen Klopp's favoured starting eleven, but the situation is not that simple.

4-3-3 has been the go-to formation for the Liverpool boss throughout the majority of his tenure, with that shape contributing to how the Reds have managed to dominate English and European football over the past two years.

The attacking trident has comprised of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, with the strengths of those three players blending harmoniously to present opposing defences with numerous problems to solve at once.

As the Brazilian vacates his position and retreats into midfield from the middle, his two wide teammates dart inwards and into the space in behind before putting the ball in the back of the net.

The midfield trio - regardless of which players are selected - typically tend to offer security, protection and authority as they own the centre of the pitch, allowing others to take risks in possession without negative consequences.

4-2-3-1 is occasionally selected, particularly when Liverpool are facing inferior opponents who are likely to settle for a point - such as Sheffield United or Newcastle United - and it's also an option when Klopp's men are struggling to find a breakthrough.

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That formation allows for the presence of an additional attacker - such as Jota - at the expense of a midfielder but as a result, the Reds usually have less of a stranglehold over the pitch in their quest for greater attacking output, and therein lies much of the problem.

When it comes to the 23 year-old's suitability to Liverpool's 4-3-3, he's very much in the Mane and Salah mould rather than Firmino; Jota is penetrative with his running, he's a threat in behind and he's naturally suited to cutting inside from wide before finishing.

Many supporters have suggested that Jota should displace Firmino who scores a lot less frequently, but the dynamic of the attack would drastically alter without his presence given his tendency to roam from his position and provide a glue of sorts in the final third.

With a front three of Mane, Jota and Salah, the Reds would certainly be dangerous, but all three of those players are essentially inclined to run away from the ball into space rather than coming short to offer a passing option, meaning that structural difficulties could materialise.

4-2-3-1 solves that issue to an extent by including all four of Klopp's primary forwards, but at a cost, as Liverpool consequently have to sacrifice a degree of their central control which can make the side more vulnerable to counter-attacks.

It is a relatively nice problem for Klopp to have, but a problem all the same.

Famed Dutch tactician Louis van Gaal once said: "I don't need the eleven best. I need the best eleven," and that is what the Reds boss must consider as Jota continues to knock on his door.

While his showings have been very notable, it's reasonable to suggest that Klopp will stick to the approach that continues to deliver wins, with 4-3-3 as his first choice and 4-2-3-1 as his trump card to be used depending on the match scenario.

Who was your Liverpool player of the Month for October? Vote in our poll here.

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