Liverpool: Four tactical changes Klopp must make to beat Roma
By David Gate
No.1: Back Four Shuffle
Klopp made three changes to his back four on Saturday and none of them worked. It almost paid off but failed under the tired legs of Alberto Moreno, Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez. None of that trio has played much first team football over the last six weeks and that was evident as Liverpool gave away two late goals.
Joe Gomez has been a rock for Klopp for most of this season. He has defended so stoutly and consistently that he is now looking at a starting spot for England at the World Cup. However Saturday can be added to the Arsenal game at the Emirates and Burnley away as moments where the youngsters concentration has slipped and cost Liverpool goals and/or points.
Ragnar Klavan is fine. But fine will not win you the Champions League. Dejan Lovren is much maligned and many will be glad when we don’t see his name on the team sheet regularly but he is capable of a higher level of performance than Klavan. The Croatian was outstanding in the quarter-final second leg against Man City.
Alberto Moreno had a very solid start to other season but Saturday was a glimpse into old-school Moreno. The drop from Andrew Robertson to Moreno is now a cliff-face. That says as much about the soaring quality of Robertson as it does with the clear limitations of Moreno.
Having Lovren, Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold return to the starting eleven is crucial if Liverpool want to prevent an away goal tomorrow.