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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Josh Williams

Liverpool transfer stance could be sign that Jurgen Klopp is about to unleash new formation

Liverpool have attacked the transfer market this summer. Although the Premier League window has only been open for around a week, the Reds appear to have finalised virtually all of their business in terms of incomings.

On Thursday afternoon, promising news surfaced surrounding the club's pursuit of Calvin Ramsay. The Scottish full-back looks destined to join from Aberdeen in the coming days, and he's set to be Jurgen Klopp's final purchase of the window.

After Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho were officially announced recently, it seems Liverpool will go without a new midfielder next season. It is a risky decision, but one which suggests Klopp is thinking about changing his tactics at Anfield.

READ MORE: Sadio Mane edges closer to Liverpool exit as Bayern Munich fly in for transfer talks

READ MORE: Liverpool could still make final summer transfer and repeat £50m trick

The German coach has favoured 4-3-3 throughout his time on Merseyside. The Reds have used other formations every now and then but regardless, Klopp has demonstrated a clear preference.

The make-up of his squad has determined the system. Liverpool have always benefited from a number of energetic options in midfield, and the team have operated with an established attacking trio further forward in Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

This summer, Klopp could toy with the prospect of introducing 4-2-3-1 as a new first-choice option, especially if he does indeed opt against adding a new midfielder to his ranks for the upcoming season.

4-2-3-1 would simply allow the Reds boss to field two players in the middle of the park rather than three, and those players would be less responsible for covering excessive ground from penalty box to penalty box.

Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Fabinho each have experience playing as part of a pair, and Jordan Henderson turns 32 years old this week. Perhaps is makes sense to allow the skipper to cover less ground in comparison to previous years.

On top of the dynamics of the midfield department, Klopp also has more no.10 options at his disposal than ever before. Carvalho occupied the role for Fulham last season, and Firmino and Harvey Elliott are two more alternatives to consider.

With Darwin Nunez seemingly replacing Sadio Mane in the squad this summer - who is linked with Bayern Munich - Liverpool will deploy more of a central striker next year, as opposed to a false nine in the mould of Firmino.

Overall, 4-2-3-1 is beginning to suit Klopp's players, perhaps even more so than 4-3-3. If no further additions are made in the coming weeks as has been reported, a new system could be on the agenda at Anfield.

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