Talking Tactics: Reds’ midfield maestros vie for minutes on Merseyside

Liverpool finally have a full complement of midfielders available — but which trio should Jurgen Klopp field?

Harvey Elliott’s return to fitness means the German tactician now has eight senior players to choose from in the middle of the park.

That leaves the Reds’ boss with a selection headache as his side prepare to face Leicester at Anfield tonight.

We take a look at who should make the Merseysiders’ starting XI ahead of that Premier League clash.

Captain undroppable

For some, the picture is clearer than others.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has featured in 20 of the Reds’ 22 Premier League matches so far this term, starting 18 and playing a total of 1571 minutes.

He also started each of Liverpool’s first four Champions League group stage encounters before being used more sparingly in their remaining fixtures.

Klopp has started with 20 different midfield combinations across all competitions this season, with only six being utilised on more than one occasion.

The one constant across those six midfield trios is the presence of Henderson. He is vitally important to his manager and the England international clearly features in the club’s best three.

The midfield anchor

The next most-used player in those six central combinations is Fabinho, who appears four times on that list.

The Brazilian’s profile within the Reds squad is unique, with no other player quite as natural at screening the defence and breaking up opposition attacks from a holding role.

Fabinho is top for interceptions (28) among Liverpool players in the Premier League and joint-second for tackles (23), demonstrating his value out of possession.

Without him in the side, the Reds are undoubtedly weaker defensively.

Third spot up for grabs

The identity of the third player in Liverpool’s best central set-up is less obvious.

Thiago and Curtis Jones have each played alongside the nailed-on pair of Henderson and Fabinho five times, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has done so on three occasions and James Milner featured next to them twice.

Beyond that quartet, there is also Naby Keita and the returning Elliott to consider as options.

Milner, 36, has primarily been used as a substitute in the Premier League and has also covered as a right-back on occasion.

He is clearly trusted and seen as a reliable squad option but is not likely to be considered part of Klopp’s optimum midfield arrangement.

The young contenders

Elliott, 18, and Jones, 21, are the two bright young talents vying to cement their places in the starting line-up alongside Henderson and Fabinho.

Jones has made five Premier League starts this season and has been afforded a fair chunk of minutes when fit, although an eye injury has limited his availability.

Elliott, meanwhile, started three of the Reds’ first four league games and impressed — but a serious ankle injury sustained in the 3-0 win over Leeds ruled him out until his goalscoring comeback off the bench against Cardiff in the FA Cup last Sunday.

Speaking after that match, Klopp praised Elliott’s quality and the manner of his return from a lengthy layoff.

He said: “We were all shocked [by the injury] but he is a special kid.

“It took a while and the medical team did an incredible job and he was patient enough to do the necessary things.”

Thiago the technician

In terms of quality, one name stands out above the rest for the third spot in Liverpool’s midfield — Thiago.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder combines defensive willingness with elite technical ability.

However, a combination of Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago, while not short of ability, may struggle to make an impact in the final third.

Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain are stylistically more willing to take on their opponent and get into the penalty area, so change the Reds’ dynamic when they are on the pitch.

Each of the trio struggle with persistent injury issues however, meaning fitness has often been a significant factor in Klopp’s selection process.