On Tuesday afternoon, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reiterated his frustration in the pursuit of new signings so far in the January window.
In the wake of Sadio Mane’s absence due to the African Cup Of Nations, Liverpool are in the midst of a wholly disappointing start to 2017 – they have failed to win in the Premier League so far this calendar year, with their solitary victory coming in the second-leg FA Cup tie at League Two outfit Plymouth Argyle.
Following Liverpool’s unexpected 3-2 home defeat to strugglers Swansea City at the weekend, Klopp echoed the rallying cries of most Liverpool supporters – which was to immediately slate the defence for being far too suspect.
‘Passive’ was the word used by Jurgen in his post-match press conference; any Liverpool fan who has seen the Reds this season at the back would more or less concur with his comments.
However, I feel it’s important that our lack of depth going forward doesn’t go out of one ear and into another – just like the comments the German made with regards to our error-strewn defence.
It seems ridiculous to pinpoint Liverpool’s attack as a factor in our stuttering form – especially when you study the statistics; the Reds have scored the most goals in the Premier League this season at 51.
I do agree, that our flurries in attack are often papering over the cracks at the back. But, on the evidence of displays where Mane hasn’t been the team, the consensus has to be that the side is lacking a Plan B at the moment, without the Senegalese star.
Klopp, himself, stated his plan without Sadio Mane in January – however, Liverpool are lacking senior players who can step up to the plate in the void Mane had left.
Divock Origi has featured intermittently in the wide role, as has Daniel Sturridge. Origi has impressed with his legs at times, but he’s been struggling for goals, and his performances have been a little inconsistent.
Daniel Sturridge, meanwhile, has fared poorly, too. He clearly doesn’t have the legs to play in the position.
I feel some of the criticism he has come in for is harsh, to say the least. Several angry blows on social media have been landed regarding his ‘poor attitude’ and ‘lazy work ethic’ – however, it’s easy to lose leverage of the fact that he has fed on scraps for the games where he’s played out wide or up top so far this season.
What will baffle supporters even more, is that Klopp was aware that Sadio Mane would be travelling with the Senegal squad at the start of the season. It’s difficult to fathom how he hasn’t looked actively into the market for a winger that fits our system.
I think, one player that has raised eyebrows, is Spartak Moscow & Dutch winger Quincy Promes.
Promes is a young talent, with frightening but still raw, potential – he’d fit the bill perfectly, as he has the attributes Mane has, which will aid him to integrate in the 4-3-3 system.
Promes may be a winger, but strictly speaking, he can play anywhere in the front lines – he’s proven that at both international & club level. At Spartak, he’s usually playing a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1.
Promes’s game is also intelligent – he moves from out wide into the centre, and that’s where most of his hard work stems from. The Dutchman is able of getting himself into good position & space to create more chances; his signature will give Sadio Mane a lot to think about, and a Plan B without the Senegalese too, this month.
His goal contribution too, has been very credible – at Spartak Moscow, he’s scored 37 goals in 74 appearances, with 21 assists to his name. Another plus in his locker, is that Promes has a better pass success rate.
Until Promes is signed though/we approach another player in Mane’s position in the market, I advocate Klopp reverting to a diamond 4-4-2. The 4-3-3 has been proved to be ineffectual, without Sadio Mane in the side, and the likes of Origi & Lallana being pushed out wide. Hopefully, this’ll give more of our strikers an opportunity to divulge their full abilities here, without being nullified.
The flat 4-4-2 isn’t an option, due to the fact that the Reds lack physical athletes in central midfield, and only have one midfield that covers a lot of ground [Jordan Henderson]. Swansea, who came to Anfield at the weekend, managed to eventually gain a numerical advantage over the midfield.
The diamond 4-4-2, moreover allows Henderson, who covers a lot of ground, to take centre stage in his deeper role. It’ll also mean Wijnaldum & Lallana will have to be rentless in the way they work offensively, with our full backs acting as wingers – therefore likely Coutinho will play behind Firmino & Origi/Sturridge as an orthodox CAM.
The only problem with Promes, is that his defensive contribution could mean that he will struggle to adapt to this formation.
I’m not advocating any quick fix – Klopp isn’t the manager who will ask the committee to delve into their pockets for a transfer straightaway – but, for the sake of stopping the media narrative at the moment, attacking reinforcements too, are needed – as are a reliable CB.
Because, if I were a part of Liverpool’s attack right now, I’d be really frustrated with the defence undermining the attack on several occasions. Jonathan Tah & Virgil Van Dijk are names which Liverpool fans seem to be bringing into context often. A long-term LB too needs looking into – but possibly not anytime soon, as Klopp seems to be content with Milner’s consistency at left-back
To conclude, a right-winger & centre-back reinforcements are vital, if Liverpool’s season is no longer at risk of falling off the rails completely.
