How does England's version of 4-4-2 compare with that of Jürgen Klopp's team? We take a look at the tactical breakdown

Roy Hodgson claimed on Wednesday night after England's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland that the Champions League finalists "Borussia Dortmund played 4-4-2 in the same way we played 4-4-2", in response to Gary Lineker's criticism that his tactics are "a step back to the dark ages of two lines of four". How does England's version of 4-4-2 compare with that of Jürgen Klopp's team?

Positioning of wide players

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played high up the pitch when England had possession, then dropped back to form a second bank of four without the ball. In pure formation terms, that's precisely what Dortmund do – and the majority of top-level, compact 4-2-3-1s, from Klopp sides to Rafael Benítez sides, often appear as 4-4-2 when defending.

England's problem was that they spent long periods without the ball, which increasingly pushed Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain into deep positions. Whereas England pressed excellently in the 2-1 victory over Brazil, on Wednesday they were more passive, which made their system look rigid. In this instance, the formation was the effect of poor play, rather than the cause.

Wayne Rooney's role

Over the past five years the unpredictable positioning of Wayne Rooney has been the key feature in determining England's formation. In qualification for World Cup 2010 he placed himself between the lines in an intelligent link-up role as England looked like a fluid 4-2-3-1, but at the World Cup itself he reverted to playing as a striker, making England a boxy 4-4-2.

On Wednesday he dropped off into deep positions to receive forward passes from Michael Carrick, but whereas the attacking midfielder in Dortmund's system – Mario Götze, Marc Reus or, previously, Shinji Kagawa – picks up possession on the run, Rooney often had his back to goal.

Holding midfield duo

Many modern 4-2-3-1s feature a flexible double pivot, with the two holding midfielders taking it in turns to venture forward. England's system on Wednesday was different, with Carrick permanently the deeper midfielder, and Frank Lampard venturing forward to grab England's equaliser. But does Lampard's tremendous goalscoring ability compensate for his impatience in possession?

If Dortmund is the template, Jack Wilshere appears the most natural fit for England's midfield – he's a quick, technical player who can motor forward swiftly in possession, and turn defence into attack smoothly.