Klopp's midfield dilemma and other key tactical talking points ahead of Liverpool v Roma

Aditya Devavrat 08:41 24/04/2018
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  • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Roma boss Eusebio di Francesco pulled off excellent tactical masterplans to get their sides into the Champions League semi-finals, with Klopp getting a resounding victory over Manchester City and di Francesco masterminding a stunning comeback against Barcelona.

    Now the two manager will pit their wits against each other with a spot in the final on the line.

    Here are three key tactical talking points ahead of the game.

    KLOPP’S MIDFIELD DILEMMA

    It’s remarkable for a side that has qualified for the Champions League semi-final, to not have a clear-cut first-choice midfield. Every single midfield player has been dropped at some point this season.

    At least Emre Can’s injury has made picking a team easier. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain didn’t start Liverpool’s 2-2 against West Brom on Saturday, indicating that he was being rested, and he will likely replace Georginio Wijnaldum, who started on Saturday.

    But Jordan Henderson’s form has been patchy all season and James Milner made an error that led to the Reds dropping points on Saturday. Does Jurgen Klopp know what his best midfield is?

    Are Henderson and Milner automatic starters?

    Are Henderson and Milner automatic starters?

    WILL ROMA STICK WITH 3-5-2?

    Di Francesco was lauded for switching to 3-5-2 against Barcelona to spark their stunning comeback. Until that point, he had insisted throughout his managerial career that the 4-3-3 was the ideal formation, but he made the switch believing a three-man defence would add physicality to his side.

    Given that it worked, will he go back to it against Liverpool? In theory, it would allow his side to match up against the Reds’ three-pronged attack, outnumber Liverpool in the middle of the park, and use their own physicality to their advantage. And if it worked against Barcelona, why change it?

    Di Francesco has a big tactical call to make.

    Di Francesco has a big tactical call to make.

    ANOTHER TEST FOR ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

    It’s a credit to both Klopp and Trent Alexander-Arnold that the young right-back has established himself as Liverpool’s first-choice right-back. The 19-year-old was tormented by Marcus Rashford in Liverpool’s derby loss to Manchester United, but has recovered from that outing, looking superb against Manchester City in the quarter-final.

    He held up well against Leroy Sane, and now he’ll have to do it again. Aleksandar Kolarov will be an entirely different proposition (if Roma do play with wing-backs), less pace but more power and experience. Roma youngster Cengiz Under will be a handful as well. Another chance for Alexander-Arnold to enhance his reputation.

    Alexander-Arnold emerged with credit from the last challenge he had to face.

    Alexander-Arnold emerged with credit from the last challenge he had to face.

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