Injury Blow Could See Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp Unleash Dortmund Formation

Jurgen Klopp helped former club Borussia Dortmund topple Bayern Munich in 2011 as he ended their Bundesliga dominance and the title-winning campaign being orchestrated by his 4-2-3-1 setup. Could Liverpool benefit from a similar system?

Just before the half-time chaos unfolded at Anfield against Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp portrayed an animated figure on the touchline as he watched his side huff and puff in the hopes of breaking down Thomas Tuchel’s resilient low-block.

The Reds supporters were stunned to see Roberto Firmino’s number flash up on the board of fourth official Craig Pawson’s board, just moments before the interval.

Bemusement was the tone around all four stands as Klopp had uncharacteristically used one of his three available wild cards before the break. As it transpired, the German’s decision was not premediated, as an injury to Firmino had forced the Reds’ boss to act swiftly and decisively.

And supporters’ fears were quickly alleviated by the news that the Brazilian’s injury is not as bad as first feared – he could be back for the Reds’ games next month.

However, his absence could hand Klopp the perfect predicament to revert back to his all-conquering Bundesliga 4-2-3-1 set-up.

During his time in Germany, Klopp was able to terminate Bayern Munich’s decade grip on the Bundesliga title as he ended Borussia Dortmund’s nine-year wait for top-flight success, toppling the Bavarians by a mammoth ten points.

Paramount to the success that Klopp masterminded at The Westfalenstadion ten years ago was his distinct 4-2-3-1 lineup, something that was seen in patches during his early years at Anfield.

Boasting the likes Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Ilkay Gundogan in his front six, Klopp stunned Germany with his novel ‘gegenpress’ system.

The term gegenpress translates to counter-attacking and as a result, it required his history-making Dortmund side to boast athleticism in the middle of the park as they enforced their opponents into high-turnovers, whilst, additionally, maintaining a crucial defensive structure.

Sound familiar? Well yes, despite operating a 4-3-3 in recent times at Anfield, both formations share plenty of Klopp’s desired characteristics.

And that’s why Klopp’s has been able to seamlessly transition into the formation at his leisure for one-off games in recent years at Anfield. After initially adopting the formation for the remainder of 2015-2016 after succeeding Brendan Rodgers in the Anfield dugout.

In hindsight, the system was most likely deployed in his early Anfield days due to its nominal teething stages, as Klopp would spend the 2016 summer whipping his side into shape for the relentless 4-3-3 shape – a set-up they have largely maintained ever since.

Last August, when Liverpool battled with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley, it would be the introduction of Takumi Minamino and Naby Keita on the hour-mark that would see Klopp call on the alternate system.

Joe Gomez would move to full-back, Fabinho would slide into back-line alongside Virgil van Dijk, Keita would form a double-pivot with Gini Wijnaldum and Minamino operate off the left of the supporting trio with Mohamed Salah being moved centrally as the No.9.

And despite the Reds being defeated on penalties under the Wembley arch that afternoon, the 4-2-3-1 was perceived as one of the few positives to take from the domestic season’s curtain-raised.

However, twelve months on, Liverpool seem more equipped to a 4-2-3-1, especially during Firmino’s short-term absence.

Klopp’s familiar back-five could be complemented by Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in a double-pivot, with Thiago Alcantara perfectly entitled to throw his name into the conversation for a place alongside Fabinho.

Given how Henderson performed in Fabinho’s absence in the No.6 position against Burnley, in comparison to his performance off the left-hand side of a midfield three against Chelsea – due to Harvey Elliott’s emergence – pulling him back further and reducing his mileage could be something that benefits him over the course of his new four-year deal.

Possessing plenty of defensive nous, and athleticism, at the base of the midfield could give Klopp a licence to unchain his chosen attacking quartet.

Sadio Mane off the left could be partnered with the adaptable Diogo Jota off the right. However, it’s the options Liverpool could deploy from the reserve that could give Liverpool that extra attacking edge.

Thiago could be deployed as Liverpool’s supply line to Salah in the No.10 position in an unforeseen change that could, if past stats are telling, yield priceless results.