During his time as Watford manager, Javi Gracia often switched things up and played 3-5-2, combining two strikers but an extra man at the back – and here is how Leeds United could look if adopting that approach against Liverpool.
Until now, Gracia has used two formations as Leeds manager. The most-used, being a 4-2-3-1. A system that sees Leeds use a double pivot and often at times, looks like a 4-4-2, with Brenden Aaronson as a 10 becoming a striker.
Against Fulham in the FA Cup – to an extent – and certainly against Arsenal, he used a 4-3-3. A bit more beef in the middle of the park. But after a 5-1 defeat against Crystal Palace, and coming up against Liverpool – defence is key.
Liverpool’s strengths come from out wide. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah down the right, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez on the left. If Leeds are to keep the Reds at bay, we must tighten up out wide.
So, it might be Gracia considers reverting to a 3-5-2 system – like he did at Watford – to nullify Liverpool’s attacking threat out wide. A system that incorporates three centre-backs, but wing-backs that are naturally full-backs.
How Leeds could look if Gracia adopts 3-5-2 system against Liverpool
Max Wober could be available but unlikely to be thrown straight back in. So, a combination of Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk either side of Robin Koch. At wing-back, Junior Firpo and Rasmus Kristensen could offer the width.
But also, the defensive willingness to get back. It would see Ayling and Struijk look to cover Salah and Jota/Nunez, while Firpo and Kristensen deal with Robertson and Alexander-Arnold. Marc Roca and Weston McKennie continue.
Keeping that double pivot is key – and pushing a hard-worker like Jack Harrison inside sets up a decent midfield against what Liverpool have to offer. But the system also allows more of a threat in the box, combining two strikers.
Rodrigo could come in and play with Patrick Bamford. While it would see Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra drop out, the threat is still alive through the width Firpo and Kristensen have to offer – crossing into a box with two no.9’s.
Whether Gracia does decides to change the formation he has used during his Leeds tenure remains to be seen. But, it might be that a shake up of tactics keeps Liverpool at bay – while maintaining that ability to counter attack.
In total then, only two changes. In come Kristensen and Rodrigo for Aaronson and £21m Sinisterra. But, a complete switch in formation and a back three – something the Elland Road faithful have not seen for years.
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