Liverpool's latest tactical innovation has an allusion to Man City. One of the main beneficiaries is no longer invited to copy Thiago and prosper accordingly.
Just a few weeks ago, Curtis Jones was seen by some sections of Liverpool fans as a marketable asset. The Scouse academy graduate rose from the youth team to make his Premier League debut in 2019, and he was showing promise as a promising 18-year-old at the time.
Almost four years have passed since that day, but Jones has so far failed to establish himself as a permanent starter in Jürgen Klopp's squad, unlike another academy graduate. ministry at Trent Alexander-Arnold. Now 22 years old, many supporters believe that Jones is not progressing with age and that he has stagnated behind the scenes instead.
The lack of playing time is the main reason for such concerns, but above all, the English player has also been asked to take on a role that is not quite suitable for him, he is often placed in the No. 8 on the left flank of Liverpool. In Klopp's preferred system, players in this role tend to give control above all else, with Thiago Alcântara and Gini Wijnaldum both turning the tide.
With some experience as a striker in the past, Jones is simply too attacking, dynamic and expressive in possession to thrive as a controller for the Reds, which is why Why Klopp's latest tactical shift benefits him, perhaps more than any other player. at Anfield, with the exception of Alexander-Arnold.
Four matches ago, Liverpool kept the familiar 4-3-3 formation against Arsenal, but began to apply a new 3-2-5 formation when holding the ball. The new design includes Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield from right-back to play alongside Fabinho, with left-back Andy Robertson joining Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté to form a back trio.
Due to the Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho shafts in the deeper midfield, Klopp was allowed to ask his two eights to move higher towards the bottom third, with Jones and Jordan Henderson essentially playing in the No. 10 during the previous month.
Indeed, the Reds are unbeaten since the transfer happened - winning three and drawing one of their matches in England's top flight - while also scoring 13 goals, averaging more than three goals per game.
Liverpool adopted a new 3-2-5 formation when holding the ball against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
Liverpool adopted a new 3-2-5 formation when holding the ball against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
Jones is still positioned at number eight on the left wing, but the responsibility of control that previously seemed to weigh heavily on him is now taken over by Fabinho and Alexander-Arnold behind him. He was not asked to make an impression on Thiago. The England U23 international has shown comfort in all of Liverpool's last four games, and his form was enough to knock Thiago out of the squad. Jones looked more relaxed than captain Henderson on the opposite side, demonstrating enough technique and skill to thrive on the business side of the peloton, undeterred by the pressure around him.
In his last two appearances against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, he's conceded just seven of his 115 possible assists, and he acts as a threat near goal, passing passes. more than any other player on the pitch in Liverpool's game against The Hammers. Wednesday night.
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