The majority of Jurgen Klopp's players are currently representing their countries on international duty. All is quiet on Merseyside as each member of the Liverpool squad focuses on delivering at the business end of the season.
It is more than can be said for some other clubs, who tend to suffer from comments made by their players during international breaks. Transfers rumours can emerge, and players can express thoughts about their unhappy situations.
This week, Paul Pogba did exactly that while representing France. When asked about his time at Manchester United, he blamed tactical inconsistency as a reason behind his struggles at Old Trafford.
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"It's simple with France, I play and I play in my position. I know my role," he said. "At Manchester United, it's hard to be consistent when you often have a change to your position, or the team system, or your midfield partners. Do I really have a role?”
His comments were bold, but it is reasonable to suggest that he's not wrong. Unlike Liverpool who have been able to establish a fixed environment over the years under Klopp, United's landscape is constantly changing.
The French international has played under a number of different coaches from Jose Mourinho to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Ralf Rangnick, with each representing a different playing style. Moreover, Pogba's role within the team has regularly changed depending on the scenario. He's played as part of a midfield two, as a no.10, as a forward on the left and on the right.
At Liverpool, Klopp has settled on a go-to 4-3-3 system. His players know their roles and whenever somebody new is added to the squad, their place within the confines of the system has already been predetermined.
Luis Diaz is a perfect example. The Colombian forward thrived on the left of a 4-3-3 formation at Porto and since signing for Liverpool for a hefty amount in January, he's been able to perform in exactly the same manner.
The Reds do change their shape every now and then, but 4-3-3 is the preferred choice and every player at Anfield knows that, from the regular starters to the second strings to the academy prospects.
It allows Liverpool to make informed signings and plan future transfer windows, and it allows the players who are already at the club to master one specific role rather than changing their contributions from week to week.
