It’s been an incredible few days for Liverpool Football Club.For the second consecutive summer, it looked as though Jurgen Klopp’s side wouldn’t be making any major signings.Konstantinos Tsimikas did arrive for £11 million but he will be no more than cover for Andy Robertson.As they missed out on long-time target Timo Werner to Chelsea, then watched Frank Lampard's side and Manchester City strengthen, Kopites were starting to get frustrated.But then, weeks of reports linking them with the signing of Thiago were ended by official confirmation that the Spanish midfielder had signed for the Premier League champions.While Liverpool fans were busy singing 'Cuba' by the Gibson Brothers, they would have heard the news that they were also interested in signing Wolves’ Diogo Jota.
Less than 24 hours later, they announced they had signed the Portuguese forward for a deal that could rise to £45 million.
Who saw that coming?
In all the excitement, Liverpool fans can be forgiven for forgetting they have a rather big Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
It’s unclear whether Klopp will call upon Thiago for the trip to Stamford Bridge, although it’s believed they completed the required paperwork in time. Jota is unlikely to be available.
How Liverpool can line-up with Thiago and Jota
But when they’re both ready, how will Liverpool line up?
You’d imagine Thiago will be a regular starter but how will 23-year-old Jota get a start ahead of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino?
Well, while the former Wolves man may have to accept a bit-part role this season, there is a way Klopp can get both of his new signings into the starting line-up.
The back five picks itself with Alisson behind a defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
While we usually see Klopp operate with three central midfielders, we’re tweaking that slightly with Fabinho and Thiago in there together. Obviously, that means the absence of captain Jordan Henderson but, depending on the opposition, he can come in for Fabinho.
Then comes the front-four - Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
The four of them would be very fluid in terms of their position but we think keeping Firmino in his current role is essential, rather than him playing attacking midfield. There are arguments that the Brazilian doesn’t score enough goals but the way he drops deep in that false nine role would allow the other three to run in behind him.
Having Mane in the attacking midfield role may seem strange at first but we think it would be perfect for him. As Firmino drops deep, he will leave plenty of space in behind him in which Mane can exploit. The Senegalese is also fantastic at picking up the ball and beating defenders. Doing that from a central position will allow him more space to go left or right.
Then we have Salah in his usual position on the right and Jota in his familiar left-wing role.
It may not be something that Klopp does immediately but don’t be surprised to see this system in some matches against weaker opposition this season. Then next season, don’t be surprised to see it used more regularly.