Liverpool made their forward options a little more obvious on Wednesday as Curtis Jones looks set for a new-ish role. The Reds look a little different to last year.
Liverpool had a difficult year with injuries last season. It was a surprise, then, to see that they didn’t upgrade their depth up top this summer. In fact, the Reds are now lighter in the forward positions after Xherdan Shaqiri left without a replacement.
But Jurgen Klopp did turn to his squad for forwards against AC Milan on Wednesday evening. We got a look at how the Liverpool boss sees his options – and there is at least one interesting change.
Curtis Jones at forward?
Klopp started with Divock Origi as a centre-forward – something no one saw coming. The Belgian hadn’t played at all this season, not even as a substitute. He hadn’t even made the last few matchday squads, actually.
But Liverpool trusted him in a big game and that suggests we’ll see more of the 26-year-old this term. Or at least, he’s considered to be a better option than we thought.
Similarly, Klopp surprised again by bringing on Curtis Jones as a left-sided forward. This was, like Origi, a season debut for the player and in a position he doesn’t frequent.
Jones has played there on occasion but the majority of his games come in midfield. Klopp, though, clearly trusts the 20-year-old as an option.
And that does shake things up a bit. Especially as Sadio Mane entered the fray as a False 9/centre-forward. He did the same at times against Leeds United and Mane could be the best backup to Roberto Firmino there.
One other addition was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He’s played a few times as that False 9 but Klopp used him as a right-winger here. Like Curtis Jones, it seems he’ll operate as an option in both midfield and as a forward.
Liverpool’s forward options
Left-wing
Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones look like definite options. All have now played the role this season.
Others, however, could step into it if need be.
Centre-forward
Divock Origi is certainly now an option. Roberto Firmino is the undoubted first-choice, however, with Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane proving they can play it, too.
Then there’s Takumi Minamino, who sat this one out.
Right-wing
Mohamed Salah is the star here, of course, while Diogo Jota and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can both play there. Sadio Mane can, too, though hasn’t this season.
Next week should be interesting as we might get a senior debut for Kaide Gordon. The teenager is very highly rated and may force his way into the picture this season.
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