My team selection for Liverpool would be
------------------------------------------Ramsdale------------------------------------------
--Baldock-----------------Jagielka----------------------Bryan----------------------Lowe--
------------------------------------------Ampadu-------------------------------------------
---------------Bogle----------------------------------------------Osborn-------------------
----------------------------------------McGoldrick-----------------------------------------
--------------------------Burke---------------------------Brewster-------------------------
Basically giving the central two the chance to drop when we lose possession to for the 5-3-2, but move forward to make midfield passing opportunities.
Of course, we could bring Pubby on later and just aim it at the top of his melon, Sub Jags for Norwood and drop Ampadu back into the back four and go Wilderball.
And still lose.
But seriously, that formation would be a start, even if it played flatter or even in a 4-3-1-2.
We play a set strategy, which is the wide overload which hasn't worked since lockdown #1. The fallback is 'lump it to Pubster'. This is shitola too.
We don't overload the midfield and that is where we are getting reamed. The three we play there are still playing Championship style, formulaic nonsense and it's beatable, especially with the regressive skillsets they have. Norwood isn't a defensive midfielder, in fact I am not sure what he is apart from a just-capable distributer. He is crap in the tackle and can't challenge, his movement forward of the centre circle is full of risk. Let's say we replace him with a more capable ball winner and retainer in McGoldrick. Yeah, I know he's essentially a striker but he does have a lot better positional sense, is difficult to get the ball off and can win a tackle. And he can carry the ball. Outside of him you have two younger, attack minded defenders-cum-midfielders and reading Bogle and Osborn's game, they want it more and are hungrier to push on. They can also tackle better than Fleck and Lundstram. Behind them you have the regista in Ampadu, okay, not exactly Pirlo, but could grown into the role. And up front, pace. With Bogle, McGoldrick and Osborn facing forward and in their half, there are better opportunities for Buke and especially Brewster - who has a massive point to make in this match - to capitalise and grab his first goal. We do need to play down the middle though and get stuck in and win the ball in the centre, drive on and capitalise on half chances and long shots. Their keeper is good, but he can be a fuck up waiting to happen. That needs exploiting, preferably from distance. We don't do distance shots. Accurate, on target distance shots.
How do we cope with Firmino, Salah and co? Well, four teams have beaten them recently. There's plenty of evidence committed to video to study that. We just need to stop switching off when Liverpool are looking like they are about to score (like George Baldock didn't when he cleared off the line, last night, for example)
Not saying Liverpool are beatable, but they will be set up to beat us because they know we only play one or two set ways. Might be a good idea to change it.
pommpey