Analysing Anfield: Jurgen Klopp's favourite playmaker returns as Liverpool get Man City test

Six months ago, Jurgen Klopp ripped up his go-to tactical blueprint on Merseyside, as it was no longer delivering the same success as in previous years. Liverpool were winless in four matches in all competitions, and they sat eighth in the Premier League table having exited every cup tournament on the calendar.

After seasons of empowering 4-3-3 in both attack and defence, Klopp installed a new idea upon the recommendation of his assistant, Pep Lijnders. The Dutchman suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold should become a makeshift midfielder whenever possession was under control and as a means of convincing his boss, he jokingly placed his salary for a year on the line.

Klopp believed in the tactical tweak, with the Scouse defender encouraged to drift towards the centre circle whenever Liverpool had the ball secured. His presence in the middle has since allowed the Reds to establish a box shape in the engine room, effectively consisting of two holding midfielders and two advanced playmakers higher up.

Listen to the latest episode of Analysing Anfield with Josh Williams and Mo Stewart HERE

"The team came together again and we were really balanced, we didn't suffer counter-attacks how we suffered them before," said Lijnders in an interview with the Training Ground Guru Podcast recently. "A little change can be enough for players to feel comfortable again. If you dominate midfield, you will dominate the game.”

The switch has transformed Liverpool's fortunes this year but just weeks after it was first adopted in April, Nottingham Forest provided a real test upon their arrival at Anfield. Klopp's men had just scored six goals against Leeds United days earlier using the fresh design, which is why Steve Cooper was keen to disrupt