Liverpool 4-1 Cardiff City: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Premier League 2018-19

#1 Klopp's 4-2-3-1 pays dividends

Liverpool have now won eight of their first ten league games this season

Very rarely in his Liverpool stint has Jurgen Klopp veered away from his favourite 4-3-3 formation, but in the last two games, Klopp has switched things up and things have worked a treat for Liverpool.

They have started scoring goals again, albeit against opposition that they ought to be scoring multiple goals against. But, overall, the Reds do look a more significant threat now than they did in the initial part of the season.

There can be plenty of possible reasons for Klopp's switch though. Henderson's injury and Milner's uncertain fitness left him no choice but to start Fabinho, and the Brazilian is used to the 4-2-3-1 from his time at Monaco.

Also, it has allowed Liverpool a constant attacking threat through the middle. With Firmino playing as the striker, you knew he would drop deep and try to get involved in the build-up, leaving the centre-backs unoccupied. Now with Firmino in the no.10 role and Salah in front of him, Klopp is reaping the benefits of the Brazilian's prowess from deep, while also stretching defences with Salah's pace.

Also, against teams that have set up to defend against Liverpool, it has helped them immensely to have that extra body in attack instead of in midfield.

It will be interesting to see how long the 4-2-3-1 experiment goes on, though. Is the German confident enough to use the same system against high-flying Arsenal next weekend? That remains an intriguing question.