January Football Focus: Seeking Liverpool’s Next Iconic Attack and Premier League Transformations
The football world entered 2022 with a flurry of headlines: speculation over Liverpool’s legendary front three, managerial shakeups at Norwich, tactical insights from Serie A, and the dramatic opening of the January transfer window. In this month’s in-depth roundup, we explore the search for Liverpool’s next attacking stars, analyze Dean Smith’s impact at Norwich City, break down tactical evolutions in Italy, answer hot-topic transfer questions, and reveal our latest top 100 footballer rankings.
Liverpool’s Next Generation: Replacing Firmino, Mané, and Salah
As Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, and Mohamed Salah reach the end of their contracts in the 2022-23 season, Liverpool face a critical transition. This trio spearheaded the club’s most successful recent era, securing Premier League and Champions League titles and redefining front-three synergy in world football. But as all three near or surpass 30, fresh faces must emerge to continue this legacy.
Let’s examine the likely candidates to fill each role, blending tactical fit, age profile, and realistic market prospects for Jürgen Klopp’s squad transformation:
Christopher Nkunku: The Successor for Sadio Mané
Finding a direct replacement for Sadio Mané is no small feat. The likes of Emmanuel Dennis and Rafael Leão offer specific attributes, but Christopher Nkunku emerges as the optimal next-generation choice. The RB Leipzig attacker embodies attacking drive, press resistance, and relentless productivity. Nkunku’s 83 shot-creating actions during the current season highlight an influential presence that matches Mané’s tireless style. While Leão offers greater technical flair, Nkunku’s blend of versatility and work rate aligns perfectly with Liverpool’s tactical demands.
According to Transfermarkt, Nkunku’s valuation sits at approximately £46 million—appealing for a 24-year-old whose best years still lie ahead. His ability to slot into multiple attacking roles further solidifies his candidacy as Mané’s heir apparent.
Lautaro Martínez: The Natural Successor for Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino’s hybrid role—linking play, dropping deep, and initiating pressing—makes replacing him uniquely challenging. Candidates such as Amine Gouiri and Georginio Rutter show promise, but appear either too raw or stylistically mismatched for a direct transition to Liverpool.
Lautaro Martínez stands out as the frontrunner. The Inter Milan striker combines intelligent movement, technical prowess, and a keen eye for goal. Martínez surpasses Firmino in his finishing instincts, while sharing critical traits like tactical flexibility and high work rate. His current market value is around £72 million, reflecting his established status as a top Serie A scorer. For a longer-term project, Rutter’s off-ball contributions could warrant consideration as well, while Gouiri’s intelligent ball play makes him a viable third option.
Jarrod Bowen: The Next Mohamed Salah?
Although Mohamed Salah’s influence is nearly impossible to replicate, West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen provides the closest match among attainable talents. Bowen excels as a goal threat, creative passer, and determined presser, with the added benefit of Premier League experience. His cost—estimated at £32 million—mirrors the fee Liverpool paid for Salah in 2017, suggesting astute business and a shot at another remarkable transfer success story.
While younger prospects like Bukayo Saka or Moussa Diaby tempt with upside, Bowen’s current production and tactical fit with Klopp’s high-intensity approach make him the most logical short-term target.
Premier League Tactical Spotlight: Dean Smith’s Norwich City Transformation
When Dean Smith was appointed Norwich boss, the club languished at the Premier League’s basement with just one early-season win. Yet, two pivotal victories transformed Norwich’s outlook, providing hope of pulling off a survival miracle. Here’s an analytical look at the tactical shifts under Smith.
Defensive Structure and Pressing Patterns
Norwich primarily defend in a compact 4-4-2, with Adam Idah supporting Teemu Pukki in leading the first line of resistance. The pressing is measured rather than aggressive, but the midfield and defensive lines maintain discipline and tight spacing, especially between the lines. In certain moments, the block morphs to a more advanced 4-2-4, with wingers like Josh Sargent and Milot Rashica stepping out to press.
Sargent, in particular, brings energetic pressing and leads the team in tackles won in the attacking third, amplifying Norwich’s front-line defensive efforts. Captain Grant Hanley organizes the back four and dominates aerial duels, winning 79% in key moments to help keep Norwich’s defensive foundation steady.
Despite conceding 45 goals in 22 matches, improvements in shape, compactness, and set-piece defending under Smith provide a foundation for progress.
Attacking Dynamics and Fullback Utilization
On the attack, Norwich transition swiftly, aiming to break lines through quick vertical passing and dynamic ball carrying. Adam Idah offers direct threats carrying the ball through the center, while Pukki times runs behind defensive lines—critical for a team that averages just 44% possession.
Max Aarons and Brandon Williams play key roles as attack-minded fullbacks. Aarons, in particular, ranks as the team’s leading dribbler and provides attacking width. Typically, only one fullback advances at a time, creating a subtle 3-3-4 shape in possession and mitigating defensive exposure. There is scope for Smith to further exploit both fullbacks’ offensive capabilities, which could provide the extra spark Norwich need in their fight for survival.
Overall, Norwich still face a steep survival challenge, but Smith’s tactical clarity and subtle evolution have revived their campaign.
Top 100 Footballers: January 2022 Update
Our updated list celebrates the top performers from around the football world, reflecting both consistent dominance and emerging stars. Here’s a condensed sample from the full rankings:
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Lewandowski |
| 2 | Mohamed Salah |
| 5 | Kylian Mbappe |
| 10 | Kevin De Bruyne |
| 15 | Sadio Mané |
| 25 | Romelu Lukaku |
| 40 | Marco Verratti |
| 57 | Vinicius Junior |
| 77 | Christopher Nkunku |
| 100 | Tomas Soucek |
This diverse list features a mixture of established world-class players and those poised for further breakthroughs in 2022.
Serie A Tactical Insights: Juventus and Empoli Under the Microscope
Juventus: Strategic Shifts and Flexible Formations
During their recent clash with AC Milan, Juventus’ in-possession shape offered a masterclass in tactical adaptation. Officially lining up in a 4-4-2, Juventus morphed into a fluid structure depending on the game phase. In defensive zones, the center-backs spread wide to accommodate short build-up play, utilizing the goalkeeper as an extra option. Midfielders and fullbacks pushed forward, transitioning into a 2-4-4 in early possession, and at times settling into a 2-3-5 or 3-2-5 when attacking.
These subtle transitions highlight the importance of team selection aligned with the overall game model rather than relying strictly on listed formations.
Empoli vs. AC Milan: A Mid-Table Tactical Clinic
Empoli’s approach against AC Milan showcased the advantages, and risks, of their 4-3-1-2 system. Out of possession, the side prioritized central compactness, while in possession, advanced fullbacks and attacking midfield runners created overloads and threats in wide and central areas. Despite eventually falling 4-2, Empoli’s positive play and creative adaptation underlined the potential of their system, especially when facing stronger opposition.
January Transfer Window and Football Q&A
The winter transfer window brings both excitement and unpredictability. Here, we address some critical questions from fans:
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Leeds’ Defensive Struggles and Kalvin Phillips’ Absence:
Leeds United’s man-marking system under Marcelo Bielsa leaves them vulnerable when possession is lost, as players frequently get pulled out of optimal transition zones. The injury to Kalvin Phillips has further exposed these weaknesses, highlighting the need for a robust defensive midfielder in January. Players such as Santiago Ascacibar or Harrison Reed, with high energy and tactical intelligence, would provide stabilization. -
Newcastle United’s January Reinforcements:
Newcastle’s business has been strategic, addressing key gaps rather than splurging on big names. The signings of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier add both tactical balance and Premier League experience. By focusing on areas of greatest need, Newcastle have set themselves up well for a push away from relegation danger. -
Why Vlahovic Chose Juventus Over Arsenal:
Dusan Vlahovic’s style as a classic target man is better suited to Juventus, who required a physical focal point after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. Arsenal’s system favors versatile, link-up strikers in the Lacazette mold—suggesting Jonathan David might have been the smarter fit for the Gunners.
Podcasts and Interviews: Tactical Deep Dives and Coaching Context
This month’s recommended podcasts feature expert interviews and coaching roundtables. Noteworthy episodes include an analysis of José Mourinho’s tactics at Roma, insights into fitting coaching methods to specific team contexts, and a lively roundtable debating Liverpool’s ideal replacements for their departing legends.
Looking Ahead: Major Themes for 2022
January sets the stage for a pivotal stretch in world football: elite teams refreshing with new faces, innovative coaches redefining tactics, and clubs fighting for league survival. Whether you’re tracking the rise of Liverpool’s next attacking trio, the transformation underway at Norwich, or tactical shifts abroad, the trends of January will echo long into the year.
Stay tuned for more tactical analysis, rankings, and transfer updates as the season continues to unfold.
