Jurgen Klopp has lifted the lid on Liverpool’s new-look formation this season as Jordan Henderson continues to flourish in a more advanced role.
Prior to the Reds skipper taking up such a position, alongside Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott and Naby Keita had both impressed in that role before being struck down by injury.
And speaking after Liverpool’s victory over Aston Villa, Klopp confirmed it is something his side are working on as his explained their tactical set-up and how Henderson’s new role differs from the left-hand side.
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“We worked on it, not only on the right side,” he told reporters. “We have similar things on the left side. There were plenty of top situations.
“The formation is slightly different on the left side. Thiago is not as high in the formation so it’s more with Sadio and Robbo.
“But yes, Jordan’s position on that side is pretty flexible. We just have to make sure that one of the three thinks about protecting as well but as long as we keep the ball, it’s all fine.
“Yes, his role has changed slightly.”
After keeping back-to-back Premier League clean sheets, Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool are working hard on their defensive game when they get the opportunity to in training.
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“It’s difficult for us to really work on it because our problem is they play all the time but yes, in the few moments we have time that is something we of course have to be completely committed to as a squad to defending,” he said.
“That’s our idea. When this squad and team defend at the highest level, obviously they have a chance to score a goal, but if we don’t do that we have to score two, three or four or whatever. That makes no sense and is always possible.
“Yes, it is something we absolutely work on. It’s about balance, it’s about offensively defensively that you don’t get too exposed but it is important you need the spaces to create spaces for other players.
“There are so many things you have to think about but the most important thing is the job of protecting because then you feel really free for offensive things.”
