Considering an Alternative Tottenham Approach to Liverpool

We know that José Mourinho likes to keep people guessing, might Wednesday be a time for Tottenham to try the well known but seldom used 4-4-2.

There is an old saying about dancing with the girl who brings you to the party. Considering Tottenham Hotspur have used a 4-2-3-1 formation almost exclusively this season, a showdown for first place hardly seems the time to make a change. However, with Liverpool suffering from a spate of injuries in defense, now may be the time to press the advantage and be more aggressive with the formation. So, what are the pros and cons of using a 4-4-2 against Liverpool.

Why the 4-4-2 Makes Sense

Whether it is Heung-Min Son or Carlos Vinicius up top with Harry Kane is not as important as there being a player up top with Harry Kane. Liverpool likes to push up and hold an extremely high line. Harry Kane often drops deep, particularly when dug in defensively, which can make it more difficult for Spurs to get out from defense.

Add a second striker and even if Kane drops deep to help defensively, there is still a target and a presence next to the Liverpool defense. Then if a ball is cleared up the field instead of having all day to settle and recycle, there is the threat of pressure and increase stress on the defense. Additionally, if one or more Liverpool defenders drop with Harry Kane this would leave one-on-one coverage at the top of the pitch for Tottenham, which sounds good to me.

The key to the 4-4-2 working would be Harry Kane dropping deep to play in that #10 role and serving as the top of the triangle with the two central midfielders. This would allow Højbjerg and whoever played next to him to be more balanced and have a close outlet and the longer outlet over the top.

Beyond the extra offensive advantages, the 4-4-2 might bring, considering how much Liverpool relies on play on the flanks, having a dedicated outside midfielder could help stop that attack. Instead of the wings being open and forcing Tottenham back, everything would be funneled to Pierre Højbjerg who is arguably the best player on the pitch, advantage Tottenham.

Why the 4-4-2 Does Not Make Sense

It is quite possible that Liverpool dominate possession, thus it really does not matter who their center backs are. If that is the case, having hold-up play to help get out of the back end will be vital for Tottenham. While the idea of two strikers is nice, if Spurs need a lot of hold-up play, the 3-attacker system currently being used provides that in spades.

Both Heung-Min Son and Steven Bergwijn have been improving in their ability to hold the ball up in possession and then distribute. While neither have the over-the-top ability of Kane yet, both can hold the ball, make the back pass, or pick up the ball and run. Likewise, Lucas Moura – who we projected would start – likes to get the ball in hold-up play and attack. If Tottenham are pinned in the ability to get hold-up plan becomes vital and three targets sound better than two.

With the 4-4-2 it is questionable if the best XI would be on the field. If Son were up top with Kane then it might be possible, but it would still mean one of either Tanguy Ndombele or Giovani Lo Celso to work in more of a wide position, which is not their strengths. If Carlos Vinicius is up top with Harry Kane that is at the expense of Steven Bergwijn or Lucas Moura on the wing, both of whom are more experienced, better footballers right now.

Finally, there is another old saying about how if things are not broken well then you do not need to fix them. This is the idea of leaving well enough alone. While 24 points after 12 matches is not world beating, it is enough for top of the table. Draws are not awesome, but not losing ground when playing the best teams is important too.

What Does Tottenham Do?

Tottenham have found something that has been working against teams with a similar profile to Liverpool so why change it? We do not believe José Mourinho will come out in a 4-4-2 with the players listed below, what we think José will do was in our projected XI. Rather, we are just exploring the possibilities, because that is what Tottenham are right now a team of possibility. In the end all that matters is what José thinks is possible to get the three points.

Lloris

Doherty – Toby – Dier – Reguilón

Son – Hujbjerg – Ndombele – Moura

Kane – Vinicius

What do you think, is the 4-4-2 or even a 4-3-3 worth considering against Liverpool?