After years of using the traditional 4-3-3 formation, Liverpool made the risky decision to swap systems, and Pepijn Lijnders bet his salary that it would succeed.
In a new-look 4-3-3 system toward the conclusion of the last campaign, Jurgen Klopp gave Trent Alexander-Arnold the opportunity to go into midfield when his team had the ball.
With Andy Robertson switching to center back and Alexander-Arnold partnering the defensive midfielder, Liverpool are now more like a 3-4-3.
Although the strategy still has shortcomings, as demonstrated during preseason and these first few weeks of the new season, its strengths were evident in a season without a defeat in 2022–23.
Speaking on the Training Ground Guru podcast, Lijnders disclosed his intention to alter the lineup and his wage-bet on Alexander-Arnold’s performance!
We wanted an extra player, but above all, we wanted Trent Alexander-Arnold in the middle,” he recalled.
We all know from the inside that he can go anywhere, even on long shots, and that he can locate the forwards unlike anybody else.
He plays the throws that offensive linemen enjoy receiving!
“I recall the earlier discussions, and I promised Jurgen that if it didn’t work, I would give up all of my salary for the upcoming year. But we must try, because this boy will be a gift from the inside out.”
The system was initially used in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in April, after which Liverpool won seven straight games before suffering back-to-back draws to finish the year.
With the ball, “the team became compact again, the team became together again,” Lijnders said.
We weren’t as vulnerable to counterattacks as we had previously been because we were so evenly matched.
Players can occasionally feel comfortable and free again after such a change.
Clearly, Liverpool is still working out the kinks in the 3-4-3, especially with the new midfield acquisitions, but the long-term goal is that it succeeds.
While Lijnders is certain his gamble paid off, Alexander-Arnold has talked about the independence of his new job.
Klopp’s assistant continued, “The year before, we already moved him more frequently inside, in the 10, in a much more fluid fashion.
“However, we now felt that we had to take action.
“It was awesome. When these things work out, I adore that. The fact that I kept my job is more significant.