Jurgen Klopp has guided Liverpool to four finals since taking charge in October 2015. His name is etched into history after the Champions League triumph in Madrid and he’s given a generation of supporters stories to tell after masterminding famous victories at Anfield against many of Europe’s elite. The Reds amassed 97 points in the Premier League last term playing in a system far removed from the blitzkrieg approach he was married to during his time with Borussia Dortmund.

Yet despite this, the German tactician isn’t given the credit he deserves, at least not outside of Merseyside anyway.

He’s portrayed by the media and by fans of rival teams as a fist-pumping, passion merchant who relies on the talents of his attacking players to fire his side to victory. The hugs are his way of showing gratitude for keeping him in a job.

The 52-year-old German is not as intense as Pep Guardiola, and because of this, his tactical acumen is regularly overlooked and ignored. Myths emerge. Alisson Becker saves shots straight at him, Virgil van Dijk is the sole reason the Reds had the best defensive record in the Premier League during the 2018/19 campaign, and the forward line is aided by poor officials.

The exclusion from this is the midfield. It’s an area rival fans don’t even attempt to write off. In the eyes of many, it’s Liverpool’s weakest department. In reality, it’s actually the most underrated aspect of this team and arguably Klopp’s greatest success since his move to Merseyside.

Unlike other teams, Liverpool don’t have a one size fits all midfield dynamic. The Reds won the Champions League and pushed a Manchester City team classed by the masses as the best ever Premier League side to the very end using different variations in the middle third.

Guardiola’s side, for the most part, used Fernandinho as the deepest man of a midfield three with two from Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Bernardo Silva on either side of the Brazilian destroyer. Their season wobbled slightly when the former Shakhtar Donetsk man wasn’t available, and it’s why they’ve spent £60million on Rodri this summer.

Liverpool, however, used Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner and Fabinho as the deepest midfielder in their 4-3-3. The quartet share similarities but it isn’t like they have identical playing profiles. The Reds had teething issues from time to time but, on the whole, performances remained at a high level. How else do you finish the season with 97 points?

Klopp and his coaching staff have managed to find a blend of players who adapt to the strengths of whoever is playing as the no.6. It’s a remarkable achievement and something very few other clubs can boast. Liverpool have a midfield trio for most occasions, and it’s why Adam Lallana hasn’t looked majorly out of place during his stint for Liverpool as the deepest of the three during pre-season.

While most managers want their midfielders to have set characteristics which feed into an overall profile, making them easier to replace if there’s ever an injury or performances aren’t up to the standards needed, Klopp adopts more of a horses for courses attitude.

For example, Henderson’s as a 6 divides opinion. He has limitations there and they’re apparent when he’s being compared to a more traditional deep-lying midfielder. The Liverpool skipper could be a little more expressive with his passing, playing just 23 per cent of the 83 he averaged last season in the Premier League forward.

It’s evident in his passing sonar below, courtesy of Football Whispers, that he’s a player who prefers to pass sideways more than he does ahead of him.

(Image: Football Whispers)

But Henderson isn’t in the team to be a creative hub. Klopp selected him for that role because of how quickly he can cover the ground both horizontally and vertically. He puts out fires then recycles possession, limiting his touches and often keeping the tempo up.

The three of Henderson, Wijnaldum and Milner isn’t inspiring but the trio shore up the middle third and smother space. Some fans might not want to hear it but there’s definitely a time and a place for them to start.

The club captain differs from Fabinho. The Brazilian tends to be more expressive on the ball and takes greater risks. The best way to highlight this would be to flag the opening goal Liverpool scored against Manchester United in December.

(Image: Wyscout)

The Liverpool No.3 played a delightful chipped ball over the top and into the path of Sadio Mane, who then fired past David de Gea. It was a pass he’d attempted on multiple occasions before this and one he’s tried many times since.

It doesn’t always work but the threat is there. In this scenario, Henderson would likely play the ball backwards or look to find the right-back, currently off-screen. There’s no right or wrong pass, the Reds could still work an opening if the ball is crossed in from the right, it’s just a good example of how Fabinho differs to his team-mate in the No.6 position.

The ex-Monaco man played 30 per cent of his 72 passes per 90 forward during his debut campaign with the Reds. When deployed as a single pivot, he gives Liverpool a bit more attacking freedom. Often dropping to almost become a three at the back, he filled in at right centre-back, left centre-back and centre-back when necessary in order to ensure there was a balance and cover when full-backs and centre-midfielders pushed on.

(Image: Football Whispers)

Henderson looked like a new player when utilised ahead of Fabinho and Liverpool played some of their best football with the long-legged Brazilian dominating the middle third. His authority there allowed Klopp to play more attack-minded players as part of the midfield three and this, in turn, made the Reds even more dangerous.

Keita and Henderson both started to get on the scoresheet when used as part of a three with Fabinho.

Then there’s Lallana. Signed as an attacker, he found a home as a box-to-box midfielder in Klopp’s system early on but the Liverpool boss is now experimenting with him as the anchor.

On paper, it shouldn’t work and alongside certain players, it wouldn’t. His best game in the role came alongside Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri. Initially, it was feared the trio would lack the balance required to control proceedings but when analysed it was apparent it only worked as effectively as it did because of how similar the three players are.

Mentally, Lallana is switched on and plays the game two or three moves ahead of others. He’s eager to recycle the ball and the fact he’s able to use both feet quickens the way the 31-year-old is able to do this. Pairing him with players who operate with a similar mindset meant play between the midfielders appeared smooth.

They could all interchange at great speed and given all are ball carriers they know how important timing is when it comes to releasing the ball. The combination play between Keita and Lallana isn’t likely to make a highlight reel anytime soon, but without it neither impress as much as they do during their pre-season cameos. It won’t be a midfield three used that often but it doesn’t have to be.

It’s not easy to strike a balance in midfield, it’s the downfall of so many teams, but Klopp and his coaching staff have managed to balance out different variations of a midfield three made up of different dynamics. It’s another tick in the box for the Liverpool manager, and another reason why he should be considered one of the greatest tactical coaches currently in existence.