The absence of the increasingly influential Jordan Henderson should see Jurgen Klopp revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation this weekend.
Liverpool have done well without several key men this season, most notably Alisson, Fabinho and Sadio Mane. Without Henderson, however, the Reds have been woeful, since the captain limped off away to Atletico Madrid.
Having barely got over the finish line at home to West Ham, Liverpool have followed that up with back-to-back defeats away to Watford and Chelsea.
Henderson was already in the running for various end-of-season awards before his injury, but ironically, his reputation has further been enhanced without him in the team.
There’s every chance that @JHenderson’s injury could well clinch him the Footballer of the Year trophy. Sometime’s you don’t realise a player’s importance to a side until they’re absent.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 3, 2020
While the 29-year-old may not be the most naturally gifted player in the squad, his leadership, drive and underrated quality have been sorely missed.
Liverpool’s midfield has looked devoid of so much without Henderson around, with Fabinho a shadow of his pre-Christmas self, Gini Wijnaldum having a quiet spell and Naby Keita still flattering to deceive.
With Bournemouth set to visit Anfield on Saturday lunchtime, Klopp should look at switching from a 4-3-3 formation to the 4-2-3-1 system he used in the first half of last season.
Using a double pivot at the heart of the midfield could make Liverpool more sturdy in the middle of the park, providing more of a base in front of the back four.
In fairness to Fabinho, he found himself horribly isolated at times against Chelsea, highlighted by Ross Barkley’s goal, when he sauntered through the midfield before firing home.
Playing Wijnaldum alongside the Brazilian could help ease his workload, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain potentially used as a No.10 further forward.
Equally, Roberto Firmino could drop deeper with Mohamed Salah leading the line centrally, while Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane occupy the flanks.
Takumi Minamino is another option, as is Divock Origi, and a change in system may just freshen things up after this unlikely recent dip.
It may be that it is only used for the Bournemouth game, with Klopp reverting to type against Atletico Madrid next week, but if it’s a success, it could make sense to stick with it.
Some of that may depend on whether or not Henderson is fit for the make-or-break Champions League clash, but there is no reason why he couldn’t shine in a double pivot, too. He has in the past.
Liverpool have gone stagnant since the winter break and are in need of something new – the 4-2-3-1 may be the solution, as they look to fill the void left by the superb Henderson.
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