Jurgen Klopp has explained why Liverpool changed formation against Rangers on Tuesday night as they stepped away from their traditional 4-3-3 formation.
With their defensive displays particularly below par this season, the German switched to a 4-2-3-1 set-up as Fabinho was dropped to the bench with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez joining Mohamed Salah in an attacking four.
Speaking after the final whistle, Klopp revealed his new-look attack had only one session together to work on the new system. And admitted that the change was in response to his side’s struggles so far this season rather than in response to how Rangers would set up at Anfield.
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“It was a really good defensive performance in a new structure,” the German told reporters. “Offensively, we created an awful lot. I liked it a lot.
“The way the boys upfront moved together was extremely good for only one session working on it. We never did it before, we did one session and that was low intensity because we only played recently.
“It (The tactical change) was actually nothing to do with the game. It had a little bit to do with the game but not too much. It was for us.
“We wanted to defend differently to what we usually do. If you see us for a few years now, if somebody was criticising us for defending it was more people talking about the high line.
“But then people then created, when we were in a defensive pressing situation, they created a lot of chances. That was rare but happened more. So that’s why we set up slightly differently, closed different gaps.
“We knew the left side of Rangers is the creative side with Ryan Kent and Barasic. Tavernier is a big threat in finishing situation so that was a part that had to do with the game but apart from that, no.”
He continued: “I think Rangers played it (five at the back) against Napoli. Against Ajax they started and changed, or the other way round? I was not surprised. We had to prepare for both.
“I think our set-up was the biggest surprise tonight, let me say it like this. That’s for sure, we surprised ourselves!
“These situations were difficult to defend. Diogo Jota moved particularly well between the lines and Darwin Nunez kept them away. We will see what we do when we come to Rangers.
“We respect them a lot, we know it’s a different game and a different occasion. We don’t even think we are kind of halfway through or on the right side. 2-0, top result, tough game, good fight. Go from here.”
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