Klopp considers system change vs Manchester City: A risk worth taking?

Liverpool host Manchester City on Saturday at Anfield in a game where Jurgen Klopp can't count on Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is sidelined through injury. Therefore, the German tactician is weighing up his options ahead of the duel against Pep Guardiola's side.

In Alexander-Arnold's absence midweek in the Reds' Champions League game against Porto, Klopp used midfielder James Milner as a right-back, but the German coach has hinted at a potential change in formation against the Sky Blues.

"We do have a line-up, though it's not clear," Klopp told reporters.

"We have three or more options for the position. We have obviously James [Milner], we have Joe [Gomez], we have Neco [Williams].

"We could change system. There are quite a few things and we have had time to train this week. There are a lot of things possible."

Is shifting to a back three a risk worth taking?

Despite being one of the highest-rated coaches in European football, Klopp's previous spells at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund dictate that the German is a man who sticks to his favoured back four no matter what.

Unlike Guardiola, the 54-year-old tactician has barely used a back three during his coaching career, and it would be a bold move to do so for the first time this season against one of the finest sides in European football.

However, it could also work as a surprise element in the event he decides to go for a 3-4-3 formation against a Manchester City who are not used to facing a Liverpool with three centre-backs.

Klopp's alternatives

It remains to be seen whether Klopp's comments were some kind of mind games towards Guardiola, who tends to overthink tactics ahead of big duels.

Meanwhile, Klopp could move centre-back Joe Gomez to right-back as he has done several times in the past, or even give the opportunity to youngster Neco Williams, who has yet to be given playing time this season due to an injury, but who has recently recovered from the knock.

In any case, in Klopp's gegenpressing philosophy, defending in not an individual task but rather a team assignment, one which his players are expected to carry out by helping each other on the pitch regardless of the system.

"Football is not the game anymore where you should have these one vs one challenges for a long time," added Klopp in his press conference prior the game.

"But whoever plays there should be protected by at least two players in a right-back situation so that's the centre-half and the midfielder and the winger in an ideal world.

"So, whoever plays there should not be afraid he will be there for a long time by himself and against really good football players.

"We have to defend as a unit and if we do that then it will be tricky for everybody."