Liverpool are one of the most one-footed teams in the Premier League at the moment. Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment department have constructed a squad full of elite players over the years, but the large majority of them favour their right foot.
In fact, Southampton and Chelsea are the only two sides in England's top-flight who are more one-footed than the Reds based on their passes this season. Across Europe's top five leagues, Liverpool placed 89th from a possible 98 teams for two-footedness.
The extent to which two-footedness matters is up for debate, but certain roles within Klopp's go-to system demand specific preferences. The wide areas of his established 4-3-3 are particularly subject to whether a player favours his right or his left foot.
READ MORE: Thiago Alcantara might have just shown potential Sadio Mane replacement at Liverpool
EXCLUSIVE: Nat Phillips speaks out over Liverpool future after Michael Edwards talks
Klopp's full-backs are primarily responsible for providing width for their teammates. Their movements vary depending on the scenario - especially those of Trent Alexander-Arnold - but overall, they are required to stretch the play by remaining on the flanks.
A left-back for Liverpool should technically be left-footed for that reason, and a right-back should be right-footed, at least in order for the established system to work as harmoniously as possible.
Further up the field, things work differently. Rather than getting chalk on their boots by living on the touchline, Klopp's wide forwards have to make inside runs towards the centre. They must occupy the channels and attempt shots on goal from around the penalty spot. A right-sided forward for Liverpool should be left-footed, and a left-sided forward should be right-footed.
Klopp has profited from that dynamic at Anfield since 2017, but not for much longer based on reports surrounding the future of Mohamed Salah, who could be set to leave Merseyside once his contract expires in 12 months.
21 players accumulated more than 1,000 minutes for Liverpool in all competitions this season, yet just three of them were left-footed in Salah, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. Harvey Elliott and Kaide Gordon could soon be added to the fold, although both are teenagers.
The quirk is becoming increasingly relevant considering Salah's likely departure from the club in the summer of 2023. Sadio Mane also seems destined to depart in the coming months, which adds to the club's underlying dilemma considering he's Liverpool's second-most two-footed player behind only Diogo Jota.
In Luis Diaz and Fabio Carvalho, a pair of replacement offensive players have been acquired in the past six months, but both favour their right, which further emphasises the need for Klopp to start prioritising lefties in the transfer market.
As the Reds continue to navigate each transfer window with remarkable efficiency, the need to make a left-footed addition - particularly in attack - is quietly growing in prominence and edging towards the top of Liverpool's to-do list.
