CHANGE IN SYSTEM PAYS OFF FOR REDS
Klopp hails new ‘defensive’ shape as Liverpool run riot against West Ham
LONDON their legs after a 4-1 mauling by Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, but have racked up 10 goals and conceded one since.
“We changed the system and yesterday was the first time we did it, 4-4-2, which looked maybe from the beginning like a very offensive line-up,” Klopp, criticised for his gung-ho tactics against Tottenham.
“We had a different idea — we wanted to defend deeper, more compact and using the space which we had for the counterattacks. We will never know how it would have been if we don’t score the first one. We had to get used to it a little bit.
“It looked like a very offensive lineup but it was a very defensive lineup. We had two No 6s, clear No 6s, two real midfielders on the wing in Sadio (Mane) and (Alex) Oxlade-Chamerlain and Roberto (Firmino) and Mo (Salah) had to really defend. That helps the last line and that’s what we did.
“It was a counter-attacking lineup to use our speed from a deep situation. 3-0, 3-0, 4-1, it’s a really good week. It’s a good moment to have a little break.”
Klopp was without skipper Jordan Henderson, who was ruled out late on, and Philippe Coutinho, but was boosted by the return of Sadio Mane after a month out with a hamstring problem.
Mane lasted 77 minutes despite having had only two training sessions, while Georginio Wijnaldum lasted the full game despite looking certain to miss the match with an ankle knock.
Mane’s searing pace terrorised West Ham’s defence and Klopp said it was a boost to have him available again.
“I said yesterday he was ready for 25 minutes but it was 25 minutes plus and it was good for us. We brought in Mane after one session. I never did it before, to be honest. It was not the worst idea I ever had!”
Meanwhile, Klopp has made a fresh appeal to the Premier League and club owners to reconsider a Christmas schedule he describes as ‘crazy’ after being shocked to discover Liverpool will play two games in three days over the New Year.
Liverpool face Leicester at home on Saturday 30th December and then travel to Burnley for a traditional New Year’s Day fixture on the Monday.
Neither game is televised and Liverpool are not unique as there is a near full programme on both days.
But Klopp is baffled by the fact that elite players have to play twice in three days when the New Year’s Day game could be played on Wednesday 3rd January, giving players the usual three days of rest.
Klopp said: “Is there a reason why nobody plays in the midweek in the first week of January? They put us on 30 December and 1 January but they could easily play all the games on the 3rd or 4th January. Is it not possible to play then?
“You can’t watch our match against Burnley on television so do you need a holiday to watch it on Match of the Day? If it’s on television, then ok, we signed the contract, we do it. But why can we not play on Tuesday? It’s crazy.
“It’s not just us. Burnley and all the other teams have to do the same. If you meet someone and they know why, maybe then can ring me.” Agencies