कोर्स जानकारी

Whether you call it the European Cup or the Champions League, one thing is clear: Liverpool are one of the most decorated sides in the prestigious competition’s history. Last June, after an agonising 14-year wait, the club made space in their trophy cabinet for one more piece of silverware; a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Estadio Metropolitano awarded The Reds with their sixth European trophy, and the opportunity to tell the world that Liverpool FC are well and truly back!

And there would be no better way to follow up that declaration than by successfully defending the trophy – a feat only Real Madrid have pulled off in the Champions League era. To be fair, would you bet against them? Jürgen Klopp’s boys have been setting the pace in the Premier League, and despite some stiff competition in Group E, they look poised to light up Europe as well.

4-3-3 False 9

With almost 70 goals between them last season, in all competitions, your objective should be to highlight Liverpool’s exceptional forward line. Playing Bobby Firmino – prolific in front of goal in his own right – in the false 9 role creates space for Salah and Mané to exploit, when coming in from wide positions, which should lead to goals galore. Further back, Fabinho is the perfect go-between, in the holding role, to snuff out the opposition’s advances. And if he doesn’t catch the rival attackers, Virgil most certainly will.

4-2-3-1 (Wide)

Look no further than 4-2-3-1 (wide) if you’re eager to stretch the full backs and use the full width of the pitch. Pushing Salah out left, and utilising Shaqiri’s dinger of a right foot from the other wing, gives Mané a chance to flex his goal-scoring muscles in the centre forward position. With Fabinho and Wijnaldum sitting in front of the defence, you’re as solid defensively as you are in attack.

4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow)

Liverpool’s wing-back pairing of Robertson and Alexander-Arnold is rightfully heralded as one of the best in the world, and you can showcase both players’ desire to bolt up the pitch by creating room in the flanks and packing the midfield. With a front two of Salah and Mané to get on the end of whipped-in balls, you’re set.

Defence

It goes without saying that your man between the posts has to be Alisson, while Robertson and Alexander-Arnold should be two of the first names on the team sheet, in the full-back roles. Likewise, Virgil van Dijk’s importance at centre half knows no bounds, but you have options when it comes to your second central defender: both Matip and Gomez (who has great potential in career mode) are viable options to put alongside the captain of the Dutch national side.

Midfield

Fabinho just behind a central two of Wijnaldum and Henderson is recommended, but Liverpool’s wealth of talent in the middle of the park does mean there is room for experimentation. Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain are two excellent alternatives in central midfield, for example, while Shaqiri offers a great option on the wing.

Attack

Salah, Mané and Firmino are undoubtedly who you should utilise in your attack, but we’re all aware of Divock Origi’s penchant for stepping up on a European night, so it’d be wrong to rule the striker out if you’re looking to freshen up your frontline. Rhian Brewster mightn’t be able to compete with those in front of him, from the off, but the 19-year-old has the ability to reach an 84 overall rating if nurtured. The Ox and Shaqiri are also worth considering if you want to pose more of an offensive threat from midfield.

Defensively, your best option is to set Liverpool up in such a way that highlights your team’s high-quality pressing game. When you have possession of the ball, employ a balanced offensive approach, while instructing your left and right-sided players to use the width of the pitch. This gives you passing options on the wings, and creates more space for Salah and Mané to make those cutting runs inside.

Getting your full-backs of Robertson and Alexander-Arnold to make driving, overlapping runs, takes advantage of their pace going forward; to cover your out-of-position defenders, have your CDM hold his position when Liverpool are attacking. And while Mané and Salah are running towards goal, from the wings, have Firmino drop by setting his attacking runs to that of a False 9.

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho is an absolute dynamo when it comes to penalties, so be sure to give him the responsibility of sticking away spot kicks. When he’s in the team, have the Swiss superstar Xherdan Shaqiri on set pieces: he’s sublime on free kicks. That said, scouse wonderkid Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t too shabby either.