3-2-2-3: New look Liverpool lineup after Reds sumbit £26M bid for new signing

Liverpool have reportedly submitted an opening bid to sign Goncalo Inacio.

The Sporting Lisbon defender would take Jurgen Klopp’s 3-2-2-3 system to new heights as it would provide increased stability in defensive transition and more passing lanes in attack.

The tactical system has been in place since the end of last season when Klopp experimented with it, resulting in vastly improved form.

This season, it has seen the Reds launched to the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool make opening bid of £26M to sign Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio

Liverpool have been very heavily linked with a move to sign Goncalo Inacio and they have now reportedly made an opening bid to sign the defender although it falls far short of the £52 million (€60M) release clause in his contract.

He was described in late November as "Klopp's dream signing" by TEAMtalk before A Bola reported that Sporting Lisbon consider his departure as "inevitable".

The Portuguese outfit seemingly signed his replacement, Rafael Silva, from Leixões after reaching an agreement on a €750,000 transfer fee.

Then, this week it was reported by local outlet Jorge das Transferencias that Liverpool have made an opening bid worth £26 million (€30M) but if this is true, the Reds will certainly need to increase their bid to come close to Sporting's asking price.

How Goncalo Inacio would unlock the 3-2-2-3 formation

Liverpool are in a tricky position at the moment. Injuries have already laid bare Jurgen Klopp's defensive options due to injuries to Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip.

Inacio is an answer to these problems.

In fact, he could be exactly what Liverpool need to take their inventive 3-2-2-3 formation to the next level.

When Liverpool have the ball, Trent Alexander-Arnold moves into midfield to form a double pivot with the defensive midfielder which has recently been Wataru Endo, although Alexis Mac Allister did a decent job in the no.6 role.

The other two central midfielders than take up advanced no.8 roles to form a "box" in midfield. This is why this shape is referred to as the 3-box-3 system.

It leaves Liverpool with three attackers up front and three defenders at the back; the two centre-backs and whoever is at left-back. Recently, this has worked quite wonderfully with Joe Gomez covering for Tsimikas and Robertson.

The Englishman has demonstrated his class and positional awareness in this role but if Liverpool sign Inacio, the Portugal international could mimic what Josko Gvardiol is doing at Manchester City.

Once a Liverpool target, the Croatian defender starts at left-back and is more than able when asked to overlap but it's his ability to invert into a centre-back role that has given Pep Guardiola's side a unique buildup approach.