No, Walker plays and Stones plays RCB with Dias & Ake on the left. Stones steps into RCM with Rodri from the RCB position, rather than pulling a FB out of position.
It’s why Lewis hasn’t had a look-in recently. Pep has tweaked the inverted FB position into a “step forward” position for Stones, who is uniquely qualified for that role amongst our CBs.
With Bernie, that gives us a 3-3-1-3/3-3-3-1. Indeed, we have even seen it morph into a 4-4-2, with KDB getting to hang out upfront with Haaland, and our “wingers” (Mahrez & Grealish) slotting in across the 4.
In the 3-3-3-1, they simply slot into “forward midfield” positions with KDB, as a first line of defence for the opposition to break through, in addition to giving the option of playing the 3-3 in behind them, and helping solidify the middle of the field.
Expect Liverpool to go over the top and down the lines, because they know they can’t compete in the middle of the park, and also that Mahrez & Grealish do not want to defend.
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