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Shaqiri’s absence robs Klopp of chance to use 4-2-3-1 against Red Star again
Liverpool battered Red Star 4-0 last time around and will expect to do similar on their travels this evening, even without Xherdan Shaqiri.
The home encounter saw Jurgen Klopp shift to a 4-2-3-1 which squeezed Shaqiri into the system and also accommodated Fabinho into his favoured system as well.
The adjustment paid dividends as the Reds pummeled their overwhelmed opponents, but the Swiss playmaker has not made the trip for this one.
That should see Klopp revert back to the 4-3-3 that proved so successful last season; but it could potentially have some drawbacks tonight.
That midfield trio of Fabinho, James Milner and Gigi Wijnaldum perhaps lacks a degree of creativity on a night when there will be an emphasis on guile and patience to break down the hosts’ massed ranks.
Getting Mo Salah into that central role ahead of Roberto Firmino has also worked well in recent weeks, but perhaps hasn’t brought the best out of the Brazilian.
He may benefit from the switch, but it does mean Klopp has to come up with another way to get the win; Shaqiri’s absence has robbed the German of the Plan A he used to such good effect last time around.