Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Three ways that Liverpool could line up with Sadio Mané in their ranks
4-2-3-1
In some ways, the 4-2-3-1 system is little more than a development on the 4-3-3, but it can be used to combat all manner of scenarios thrown at it, when deployed correctly. The forward-most four players in the formation almost have a ‘carte blanche’ to attack at will, content in the knowledge that the defensive duo are minding the shop whilst they are away.
In this kind of system, Mane can shine. The best option is possibly to start him in a role behind the striker, nominally in a central area but by no means restricting him to operating here. With all of his abilities on the ball bursting to be let loose, he could be Liverpool’s live-wire in 2016/17, working in space across the line, stretching the opposition’s defence to breaking point, and taking up dangerous positions throughout the ninety minutes.
In this formation, Philippe Coutinho would possibly benefit the most from Sadio Mane’s presence. The runs made by the former Southampton forward will inevitably drag defenders out of position, in addition to focusing their attention, allowing more space for the Brazilian wizard to work his magic.
Mane is not the most creative of players on his own, instead coming to the fore when capitalising on the inventive work of others, or promoting an environment when this becomes even more commonplace.
We have seen with England in Euro 2014 that Daniel Sturridge likes to drop slightly deeper from time to time, and when in a 4-2-3-1 with Mane being deployed just off the number 15, the recent signing would do more than a decent job filling in for Sturridge at the forefront of Liverpool’s attack.
[vfv id=”52″]