Liverpool tactics: are wingers the new attacking midfielders?

The match between Liverpool and Manchester City once again made it clear: wingers are very important in Klopp's Liverpool.

The 2-0 draw came after Andrew Robertson's cross, which Mohamed Salah finished off at the far post with a stunning header. The play was repeated in the second half with the 3-0, but in the other flank. It was Alexander-Arnold and Henderson who set up Mané for the goal this time.

The two assists set the Reds on their way to victory at Anfield and once again underlined their essential role in Klopp's gameplan.

Since the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign, Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have given 36 assists, 20 from the English and 16 from the Scottish.

For context, the Luis Suarez-Leo Messi duo has a total of 34 and Mbappé and Neymar only reach 28, as BeSoccer's database ProFootballDB shows.  

Beyond Salah, Firmino and Mané, clearly clinical finishers, Liverpool's success would not be understood without the role of these players, who perhaps do not get the recognition they deserve despite their numbers. 

The best example? Divock Origi's goal against Barcelona, which saw them reach the Champions League final, was assisted by none other than Alexander-Arnold.

dugout: