The modern game is about transitions and tactical flexibility as much as it is about moments of brilliance. Nowhere has this been more true than with Liverpool FC’s midfield under Jürgen Klopp. Since his arrival in October 2015, Klopp has brought silverware and swagger back to the red half of Merseyside and reshaped the very heart of the team — the engine room.
Just like how tech-savvy football fans are moving towards digital conveniences like Casinos that let you pay with Google Pay, Liverpool’s midfield has moved from old-school grit to modern efficiency, creativity and balance. Let’s go through the different phases of this evolution and see how Klopp has moulded his midfield over the years.
The Early Days: Energy, Pressing and Industry
When Klopp first took over, his “gegenpressing” style required a specific type of midfielder — one who would run, hustle, harass and recover. At the time Liverpool didn’t have the right players to execute this system but Klopp found utility in players like James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can.
These weren’t midfielders known for flair or vision but they had work ethic, stamina and positional discipline. The trio became the foundation of Klopp’s early blueprint, allowing Liverpool to play with a high defensive line and aggressive counter-press.
Key characteristics of this era:
- Heavy metal football
- High-intensity pressing
- Functional roles over creative freedom
You could argue this midfield sacrificed style for substance — and Klopp didn’t mind. His early Liverpool teams were chaotic, exciting and unpredictable, often dominating bigger teams but struggling against deep blocks.
The Champions League Build-Up: Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Balanced Power
By the time Liverpool reached the 2018 Champions League final, Klopp had started to refine his midfield approach. The arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum and later Fabinho gave the team more structure and balance. Wijnaldum, often underrated outside of Liverpool circles, was the glue that held everything together — pressing, covering, recycling possession and chipping in with crucial goals.Fabinho brought a different level of defensive maturity to the holding role. He was calm under pressure, won duels and positioned himself smartly giving Liverpool a platform to build attacks and break counters.
Alongside him, Henderson continued to evolve, taking on more leadership responsibilities and adapting to different tactical instructions. He would push forward to support the front three and drop back when needed, a true chameleon.
Key traits of this era:
- Stability
- Defensive cover for full-backs
- Tactical intelligence
This midfield trio wasn’t flashy but it was consistent and reliable — the ingredients for the 2019 Champions League and the long-awaited 2020 Premier League title.
Creativity Unlocked: Thiago Arrives
In the 2020–21 season Liverpool made a big signing that hinted at a new direction for Klopp’s midfield: Thiago Alcântara. A technician trained at Barcelona and polished at Bayern Munich, Thiago brought something Liverpool hadn’t had in years — elite passing vision and control in tight spaces.
Injuries and tactical adjustments limited his impact initially but Thiago eventually started to influence games in the way Klopp wanted. He could dictate tempo, switch play and slice through defensive lines with clever passes. Liverpool had a new layer of sophistication.
But integrating Thiago wasn’t seamless. His more measured style required adjustments and at times it disrupted the rhythm of a midfield built on relentless pressing. It was clear Klopp was trying to balance industry with artistry, maintain the core identity while evolving towards more control.
The Next Generation: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch
Fast forward to the 2023–24 season and the Klopp midfield has been reset. With the departures of Henderson, Fabinho and Milner, Liverpool invested heavily in a new generation of midfielders.
A reminder that Jurgen Klopp rebuilt Liverpool’s midfield in a single summer 💰
One of the key’s to their success this season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/WUOfgzFbz4
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 27, 2025
- Alexis Mac Allister: A World Cup winner with Argentina, Mac Allister is intelligent, press resistant and has vision. He can play deep and box-to-box, he’s versatile.
- Dominik Szoboszlai: Signed from RB Leipzig, Szoboszlai is dynamic, powerful and technically sound. He offers vertical progression, long range shooting and an incredible work rate — a Klopp midfielder through and through.* Ryan Gravenberch: The Dutchman adds depth and potential, physical presence and ball carrying ability. Still developing but high ceiling and a modern hybrid midfielder.
Along with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and the resurgent Stefan Bajčetić, Liverpool’s midfield now has a more rounded mix of players. There’s energy, creativity and composure — the three things Klopp has been trying to integrate for years.
Tactical Evolution and Positional Play
One of the main features of Klopp’s current midfield is positional flexibility. Mac Allister has played as a deep pivot, Szoboszlai has played in the half-spaces and wide areas and full-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold have inverted into midfield during build-up phases.
This allows Liverpool to:
- Control games more effectively
- Dominate possession without losing intensity
- Protect against counter-attacks with more structure
And the midfielders are now more involved in goal scoring. Unlike the Wijnaldum-Fabinho-Henderson trio that rarely scored, this crop of players actively looks to create and finish chances.
From Function to Flair — Without Losing Identity
What’s impressive about this midfield evolution is that Liverpool hasn’t lost its identity. The core values of intensity, teamwork and pressing are still there — but now blended with individual quality and tactical sophistication.
Jürgen Klopp has shown that a midfield doesn’t have to be static or typecast. It can grow with the game, adapt to the opponent and respond to the demands — all while keeping its soul intact.
Conclusion
Klopp’s Liverpool is a masterclass in football evolution. The midfield — once a raw, high-octane unit designed to smother and counter — has become a flexible, multi-dimensional machine. From Henderson and Wijnaldum to Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, each generation has reflected Klopp’s growth as a manager and Liverpool’s ambition as a club.
Whether you’re looking at tactics or just enjoying the journey, the evolution of Liverpool’s midfield is a lesson in strategic rebuilding. It’s proof that in football, like in life and even digital convenience, adaptation isn’t optional — it’s essential.
