Liverpool have been struck senseless with injuries and as such, moves were inevitable. Alex Teixeira may be just what the doctor ordered, however changed may be needed first.
Reports are surfacing that Liverpool executive Ian Ayre has flown to Orlando to negotiate a £25m bid for the Brazilian attacker. Teixeira may be leaving the sunshine of Florida behind sooner than expected if Liverpool can pull off this major coup to rejuvenate a battered first-team lineup.
Liverpool have suffered more injuries than they know what to do with. As if it couldn’t get any worse, reports popped up out of Russia that the apple of Liverpool’s eye had actually pulled a hamstring right as a formal bid was tabled by the Reds. Jurgen Klopp has been eyeing up a change in his physiotherapy to cope with the massive injuries, but not even he can account for Teixeira’s sudden injury.
The initial reaction was one of shock and awe, although some on Twitter reacted by claiming that Teixeira’s injury was nothing more than a slight strain.
Whatever the case may be, Liverpool could well use the added flair of another Brazilian talent to couple with their in-house Brazilians, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino.
It may be of Liverpool’s best interest to reevaluate their formation if such a move is to be made, however. The Reds regularly run a 4-3-3 with no real spot for a centralized attacking midfielder. Emre Can sits in the center of it all, but he can also move out wide, similar to Jordan Henderson. The personnel rotates like a game of musical chairs because of injuries, but when all is said and done, a 4-2-3-1 formation would be what suits Liverpool best.
Alex Teixeira is at his best when he sits right behind the striker in a No. 10 or secondary striker role. He can play out wide but to line him up out there puts limitations on his massive potential. Of course, Brazilian team mate Philippe Coutinho also plays traditionally in the No. 10 role. Between Teixeira and Coutinho, though, the favor has to fall to the potential newcomer. Teixeira is a much superior passer and Coutinho has proven that he can be just as good out wide.
The 4-3-3 scenario is not very conducive to Teixera’s play. He is either forced to line up out wide or sit in the midst of a midfield line. While the Brazilian has shown strong defensive abilities, it would again render his attacking lair less effective. Plus it could leave the defense exposed as Teixeira spends the majority of his time attacking.
Pairing Teixeira with his international team mate Firmino up front with even more Brazilian spark on the left would give Liverpool a very young, strong attacking core. All they would have to do after that is stay healthy.