Part Two – What is Klopp’s Strongest Team at LFC?

Attacking Midfield – Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho

This may seem a surprising choice, but playing Daniel Sturridge on the right-hand side of an attacking three has its advantages.

With the defensively sound Nathaniel Clyne behind him, Sturridge can play in a very advanced role, almost a right-sided forward, pushing up alongside the main striker. Clyne can provide the width when needed, allowing Sturridge to come inside onto his favoured left foot and shoot across the keeper towards the far post, his preferred shot.

Klopp may prefer a hard-working midfielder on the right, such as Milner or potentially Adam Lallana, to suit his ‘gegenpressing’, but if Sturridge doesn’t work hard for the team, he won’t be playing in any position under Klopp.

Roberto Firmino is preferred in the centre as a ‘no.10’, with Philippe Coutinho on the left hand side.

Like Sturridge, Coutinho will be able to cut inside onto his right foot, allowing him more opportunities to continue improving his long-range shooting, one of his greatest assets at the moment, slide in midfield runners with quick passing, or put Alberto Moreno in behind the defence out wide, as the left-back will get forward frequently.

Coutinho’s position may start a little deeper than Sturridge’s, as Moreno provides less cover defensively than Clyne, but he shouldn’t have any problems working hard on the left-hand side, proving his tenacity and work-rate in the 2013/14 season when he played on the left hand side of a midfield diamond.

The only worry is that Coutinho can drift in and out of matches when not involved in the middle, but he should have plenty of license to roam and effect the game.

Firmino’s best position is as a central attacking midfielder, and in this position he should flourish at Liverpool under Klopp, whereas under Brendan Rodgers he mostly played out wide.

Firmino has pace but is not a wide player who produces fierce acceleration before crossing the ball into the box, and whilst he can cut inside from the left, currently Coutinho is better in this position, and it allows Firmino to play in his favourite position anyway as a ‘no.10’.

Firmino likes seeing the picture in front of him and then either playing through balls or scoring goals himself – demonstrated by his wonderful goal/assist record with Hoffenheim.