It's a tough question, but honestly, a lot of this traces back to Klopp. When a manager stays for a decade, the squad is built specifically for their system. Switching to a new coach with a different formation is bound to cause friction.
Right now, we're forcing square pegs into round holes specifically in midfield. Slot and Iraola prefer a 4-2-3-1, but a successful double pivot needs complete, highly intelligent central midfielders like Modri, Kroos, or Busquets who can dictate play and cover defensively.
Mac Allister is the closest we have, but he lacks physical presence and positional consistency. Everyone else is either an attack-minded midfielder (Wirtz, Dom, Gravenberch) or an anchor like Nyoni. Forcing them into a double pivot creates imbalance because we lack genuine controllers or elite passers.
Reverting to a 4-3-3 makes more sense. Having one dedicated No. 6 sit and sweep lets two aggressive No. 8s press freely, giving players defined roles that maximize their strengths. It also helps physically balance the team, because it gives you one midfielder on either side of the pitch to support play, whereas now it feels like Wirtz is having to pick up the ball deep, or when he does get the ball quickly it's him and two other guys. In a 4-3-3 I feel like there would be more options ahead of him or whoever the other No. 8 was.
So in short yes to some extent I think you can absolutely blame the recruitment team for not getting guys who fit the system more; but on the other hand we have so many midfielders who don't fit the 4-2-3-1 I think the coach should adjust more. We cannot jettison every single midfielder.
Right now, we're forcing square pegs into round holes specifically in midfield. Slot and Iraola prefer a 4-2-3-1, but a successful double pivot needs complete, highly intelligent central midfielders like Modri, Kroos, or Busquets who can dictate play and cover defensively.
Mac Allister is the closest we have, but he lacks physical presence and positional consistency. Everyone else is either an attack-minded midfielder (Wirtz, Dom, Gravenberch) or an anchor like Nyoni. Forcing them into a double pivot creates imbalance because we lack genuine controllers or elite passers.
Reverting to a 4-3-3 makes more sense. Having one dedicated No. 6 sit and sweep lets two aggressive No. 8s press freely, giving players defined roles that maximize their strengths. It also helps physically balance the team, because it gives you one midfielder on either side of the pitch to support play, whereas now it feels like Wirtz is having to pick up the ball deep, or when he does get the ball quickly it's him and two other guys. In a 4-3-3 I feel like there would be more options ahead of him or whoever the other No. 8 was.
So in short yes to some extent I think you can absolutely blame the recruitment team for not getting guys who fit the system more; but on the other hand we have so many midfielders who don't fit the 4-2-3-1 I think the coach should adjust more. We cannot jettison every single midfielder.
