Something is different about Liverpool this season. That much is obvious — and it's equally obvious that change was needed.
At times, the previous campaign was tough to watch. It was broadly the same Liverpool team that had won every major trophy on offer, but that was ultimately part of the problem for Jürgen Klopp, as stagnation and age caught up with a squad that had written itself into history with its high-energy, high-intensity approach.
The summer brought with it some new legs in midfield. Alexis Mac Allister was first through the door, followed by Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endō and finally Ryan Gravenberch.
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But this was more than a mere refresh. Looking at the new players, they are not just newer, shinier versions of the midfielders that came before. There is a sense that Klopp is working on a big idea, an impression furthered by his repeated references to 'Liverpool 2.0'.
Yet it's one thing for fans to speculate based on what they are watching. It's another for a member of the camp to confirm a change in direction, and that's what Diogo Jota appears to have done.
For all the brilliance of Klopp's 'original' Liverpool, deep defensive blocks were always something of an Achilles heel. Jota, per the ECHO, has hinted that the manager is using the rebuild as a chance to finally address that.
"I think we have developed a lot as a team and we are focused now on this, let’s say, new idea. Obviously the midfield being a lot different, we kind of have a different play style, that suits us to play against a lower block and more defensive teams. And it’s getting better, the results are the most important thing and we are doing things right until now and we want to continue in that way."
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![Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.](https://i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article28219150.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_GettyImages-1748470251.jpg)
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The trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum were many things, but progressive was not usually one of them. To give them their credit, at least some of that was undoubtedly by design, with Klopp opting for a more functional midfield in order to provide a platform to his marauding full-backs and explosive front three.
The presence of Roberto Firmino also allowed Klopp to get away with this a bit more. At his best, the Brazilian was two players in one, getting through the work of a creative number 10 and a striker.
Now, Darwin Núñez is a pure number nine, and Klopp needs his midfield to chip in when it comes to laying on chances. And as Jota says, packing the midfield with creators is a much better template for dealing with stubborn defenses.
This is the latest clue that Klopp is not simply using Mac Allister as the number six in his new side out of necessity. This isn't just a response to missing out on Moisés Caicedo. It's increasingly clear that he wants ball-players throughout his midfield, including at the base.
There will be teething pains. Mac Allister endured a rough return to Brighton, for example. But he has already showed the benefits, too, chipping a delightful assist for Núñez against a stubbornly counter-attacking West Ham side. It's far from clear that Klopp will be moving him forward any time soon.
As Jota says, the results are already trending in the right direction. Klopp's first big idea led Liverpool to being champions of everything, so perhaps it's time to trust the process.