Daniel Sturridge has revealed Zeljko Buvac’s behind-the-scenes role in the creation of Liverpool’s famous front three
The Bosnian joined the Reds alongside Jurgen Klopp in October 2015, having previously served as the German’s long-standing assistant manager at both Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund.
He would later leave the club in mysterious circumstances at the end of the 2017/18 season
Firmino was already at Anfield prior to Klopp and Buvac’s arrival, having joined the club from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015.
Meanwhile, Mane and Salah signed from Southampton and AS Roma in 2016 and 2017 respectively
The Reds had initially played a 4-4-1-1 formation following Klopp’s arrival at the club before gradually switching to a 4-3-3 system.
Such a change, along with the signings of Mane and Salah, ultimately led to Sturridge losing his place in the starting XI under the German.
speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, he shared an interesting insight into the creation of Liverpool’s famous front three.
Sturridge
“I think the counter-press was what Jurgen wanted us to do,”
"Win the ball back. I knew, when it comes to counter-pressing, I was more a dribbler in those types of things. Bobby was perfect for that role. I’m transparent in knowing that, Bobby was perfect for that role.
“There was a lot (of work on the training ground). There was a lot with Zeljko (Buvac) when he first came in and they first implemented this system.
“The first season we played a 4-4-1-1. Zeljko was Jurgen Klopp’s first assistant, and then it moved on to Pep Lijnders, who again, along with Jurgen, they were all sort of figuring out, ‘Okay, which system works best for us?’ And they landed on that system and off they went and we won trophies.”
Sturridge continued:
"They (Salah and Mane) are wide strikers. I think the evolvement of maybe, with this now, this is probably the best trio in regards to understanding of each other.
“Firmino was seen as the false nine who would make those movements into the midfield. You see him winning the ball back, he was absolutely fantastic at that.
“I wouldn’t say (they needed each other), I think they were just a great trio. You see Salah now, still putting up the numbers. I think they all had that camaraderie where they knew where each other would be, that chemistry was there.
“I was on the bench. Of course I wanted to play but I knew these guys had a vibe going. And sometimes when something’s special, you have to let it rock.”
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