Amid Liverpool’s midfield injury crisis, Jurgen Klopp must find a way to maximise his midfield efficiency in order to have his side challenge for the biggest trophies this season.
While the Reds are struggling for options in midfield particularly, there are a number of players injured across the squad.
In total, Liverpool have 8 players that are injured long-term or fighting to return from shorter, less serious injuries.
Overall, the following players are injured:
- Thiago Alcantara
- Ibrahima Konate
- Diogo Jota
- Curtis Jones
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
- Calvin Ramsay
- Caoimhin Kelleher
- Kaide Gordon
🗣️ "The right player not a player."
Jurgen Klopp appears to rule out Liverpool signing anymore players despite several injuries in his squad 💰 pic.twitter.com/cLoqsOu0gu
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 12, 2022
Many supporters and pundits have called for Liverpool to sign a new midfielder to deal with the potential for crisis.
Matheus Nunes has been the player most heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer but an update from Paul Joyce suggests there will be no new arrivals beyond the already signed Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Ramsay.
The journalist writes for the Times that Liverpool are “not pursuing a deal for Nunes” which leaves Klopp to face the rest of the season with the options he’s got.
To be clear, Klopp does not have a bad selection in midfield. That said, there is a level of anxiety that exists within the Liverpool fanbase regarding those players’ availability and ability to avoid injury.
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James Milner has struggled to avoid injury, Thiago has been perennially sidelined throughout his career with niggling muscle injuries, Naby Keita is the same while Curtis Jones is beginning to show signs of being prone to injury as well.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Liverpool career is a tragedy as he has often struggled to stay fit for more than a few months.
Jordan Henderson was the most available midfielder last season but the captain has had his fair share of debilitating injuries, previously suffering from plantar fasciitis.
With Klopp now heading into the rest of the season without a new midfielder, Liverpool fans will be curious to see what his solution will be.
Klopp has three options to solve midfield injury crisis
With Jurgen Klopp making it clear that Liverpool will not budge from their stance on signing another player this month, it’s time to assess what his best options are to make sure his side wins silverware this season.
In my eyes, he has three very good solutions that don’t include throwing 17-year-old Stefan Bajcetic into the deep end.
Time for real Harvey Elliott breakout season
Elliot, 19, was poised to truly break into this Liverpool side last season, however, a horrific injury suffered away at Leeds stopped him dead in his tracks.
He had started the opening four games of the 2021/22 season and impressed in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield.
Now, with injuries in midfield, Elliot can go back to his free role in the three-man midfield and bring quality, energy and a new dynamic.
He will likely get the nod over Carvalho through pure familiarity with the position and his teammates and if he takes his opportunity, we could see a real break-out season for an incredibly talented young player.
Jurgen Klopp is ready to entrust Harvey Elliot with more minutes this season, whilst the the progress of Stefan Bajcetic has also been recognised. [@_paulioyce] pic.twitter.com/xgyf0eLFw1
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) August 11, 2022
Liverpool could see second coming of Philippe Coutinho
Fabio Carvalho has shown glimpses and traits that are uniquely similar to that of a former Red in Philippe Coutinho.
The diminutive attacking midfielder made his PL debut for Liverpool off the bench at former club Fulham at the weekend, but he could be set for a bigger role given the injury issues.
I get why people are likening Fabio Carvalho to Philippe Coutinho – their dribbling technique is almost identical – but Carvalho is much more of a goalscorer than he is a creator.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 30, 2022
The 4-2-3-1 could be Jurgen Klopp’s saviour
With three central midfielders out it may make sense to move to a 4-2-3-1 formation – if anything just to take the stress off the midfield three.
That would mean Fabinho joined by one of Henderson, Keita or Milner in a defensive midfield double pivot that would give Liverpool that added steel in front of their defence.
It also allows for someone to take the number 10 attacking midfield role; Elliot, Carvalho and even Firmino could all play in that role.
It would be a natural fit for Carvalho and it could allow Klopp to negotiate this tough period whilst also simultaneously creating an ultimately different look and feel for the team which could pay dividends.
