--- title: "Liverpool must revert to 4-3-3" canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/liverpool-must-revert-to-4-3-3/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Ben Smith" section: "Articles" published: "2015-03-24T15:03:14Z" modified: "2015-08-14T13:02:53Z" --- # Liverpool must revert to 4-3-3 Liverpool’s resurgence since mid-December has been admirable, and Brendan Rodgers’ change to a 3-4-2-1 formation has been a major factor in the Reds’ rise up the Premier League table. But there had been signs before Sunday’s defeat against Manchester United that the system was beginning to wear thin. Performances were less than convincing against Besiktas over two legs. The Reds were fortunate to pick up three points at Southampton and had a couple of refereeing decisions gone the Saints’ way, the points may have too. Rodgers’ men did well to see off Manchester City and Burnley but the displays at home to Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City (for 60 minutes) lacked intensity and were almost reminiscent of the Autumn nightmare. Steven Gerrard will not be available for the next three games, and we have to assume that Martin Skrtel won’t either. Those three fixtures are crucial in how Liverpool’s season will finish up. They play Arsenal away, Blackburn Rovers away in the FA Cup, and Newcastle United at home. If the Reds start as slowly against Arsenal as they have in other games in recent weeks, they’ll be punished, and could be one or two behind by half-time. Rodgers must be proactive, rather than reactive. [![screenshot_2015-03-23_14.18.05](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2015/03/screenshot_2015-03-23_14.18.05.png)](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2015/03/screenshot_2015-03-23_14.18.05.png) Alberto Moreno has his upsides, and has shown signs of improvement as the season has worn on, but he is being caught out of position far too often, particularly against top sides. Emre Can’s level appears to have slightly dipped recently too, and without the model of consistency that is Skrtel by his side, he could have a torrid time against the Gunners. The right thing to do is to revert to playing four in defence. Glen Johnson may not be to everybody’s liking, and he does have lapses in concentration, but he’s a mature full-back that will stick to his job. Kolo Toure should come in for Skrtel, and if Jon Flanagan isn’t ready, Can should be shifted to left-back. The German Under-21 international played there numerous times for Bayer Leverkusen, and although he has been caught out at the back a couple of times, he’s less likely to leave us vulnerable and exposed than Moreno is. Liverpool will be buoyed by Lucas Leiva’s return. The Brazilian barely put a foot wrong during his run in the team before his injury, and his solidity in front of the back four will allow Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen to press higher up the pitch and pose more of an attacking threat, just as Gerrard’s introduction in the game at Swansea did. The three in midfield should help prevent Arsenal from dictating the game through the middle of the park. It was too easy for Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera at Anfield on Sunday, and it was largely down to the Reds’ reluctance to put the United men under pressure. At Arsenal on April 4, whether it’s Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Özil, or all of them, they must not be afforded time on the ball. In front of the midfield three, Liverpool need creativity, movement, and most importantly: pace. Philippe Coutinho has been their best player in 2015, and he’s been able to function from the left side of the front three in a manner that he perhaps hadn’t in previous seasons. Daniel Sturridge just doesn’t look right. It may be next season before Liverpool get the best out of him again. We’re seeing glimpses of what the supporters know he can do and to be fair to him, he’s managed four goals since his comeback, but Liverpool have looked far more dangerous when Raheem Sterling has been up front. Sterling constantly makes runs down either channel, dragging the centre-backs with him and creating space through the middle for either the wingers or the midfielders to dart into. And fitness depending, Jordon Ibe must be reinstalled straight back into the starting lineup. He is a nightmare for opposition full-backs and – if we’re looking at the Arsenal fixture – can give Nacho Monreal a torrid time, while Sterling keeps Laurent Koscielny and the less-than-quick Per Mertesacker busy. Defeat at Arsenal could leave Liverpool eight points adrift of the top four. Whilst it wouldn’t be all over as far as Champions League qualification is concerned, it would be a big ask to claw those points back, particularly with a trip to Stamford Bridge still to come. I think it’s more of a risk to stick with the 3-4-2-1 against Arsenal than it is to change it. Rodgers should look at last season’s 5-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur as the blueprint. Lucas, Allen and Henderson were superb that day, and whilst Arsenal are a better side than Spurs, Liverpool barely gave them a sniff. Sterling’s pace down the right flank, and Coutinho’s quality on the left cut them open time and time again. The Reds have to believe they can do a similar job at the Emirates, and if Arsenal end up having just too much for them, then go and outclass Blackburn and Newcastle and go on to finish the season on a positive note. Fourth place isn’t out of the question yet.