Every year, fans of the FIFA franchise argue over which teams and players are the most powerful in the game, and how best to utilize them. Without a doubt, one of the strongest teams in this year’s title is Liverpool. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners have a superb squad with plenty of options across the pitch while possessing several of the world’s best individuals such as Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

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Despite this, there are still plenty of ways to shape the team in order to be as effective as possible, but after many hours of trialing different players and tactics, here is the best formation and starting line-up to use when playing with Liverpool in FIFA 22.

12 Formation – 4-3-3 False Nine

Liverpool Formation 4-3-3 False Nine

While a number of similar formations are also viable, the default setup for Liverpool seems to suit their style and players perfectly. This is no surprise when players consider the high-tempo, electrifying football that Jurgen Klopp’s side plays.

With marauding fullbacks bombing up the pitch and overlapping two of the best wingers in the game, this formation creates endless counter-attacking opportunities. A powerful tactic is to cut back from the byline to the deep-lying forward, or one of the midfielders breaking into the box. Defensively, this formation is rock solid thanks to the CDM and two central midfielders supporting the superb back four.

11 GK – Alisson (89)

Alisson stats

Not much of a shock here. As for most teams in FIFA 22, the goalkeeper is an obvious choice. With Liverpool, it’s no different, and the Brazilian shot-stopper, one of the best goalkeepers in FIFA, is the clear pick between the sticks. This is thanks to his 89 rating and immense in-game stats such as 89 Reflexes and 90 positioning.

10 LB – Andy Robertson (87)

Robertson stats

Left-back is another unsurprising choice as Scotland’s Andy Robertson is a fantastic combination of pace, skill, and technique, with solid all-round stats that make him perfect for this Liverpool team.

Able to break down the flank and whip pinpoint crosses into the box, while being strong enough defensively to break up attacks, Robertson is a reliable choice on the left. His 91 stamina also means he can run all day, which really helps him stay involved later in games.

9 CB – Virgil Van Dijk (89)

Virgil Van Dijk stats

An absolute no-brainer, the 89-rated Dutch monster is quite simply one of the best defenders in world football, and his stats in FIFA 22 reflect this. As commanding in the air as anyone, his pace, power, and defensive positioning mean almost every attack falls apart around him.

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88 Sprint speed and 92 strength make VVD a physical freak, while 90 interceptions, 92 defensive awareness, and 92 standing tackle mean he reads the game incredibly and would walk into any team.

8 CB – Joe Gomez (82)

Joe Gomez stats

Partnering Van Dijk at the back is Joe Gomez. Although boasting a lower rating than Joel Matip, Gomez has a great pace with 85 sprint speed, meaning he can keep up with pacey strikers and track those deadly central runs.

While he boasts some pretty average defensive stats, his pace alone gets him into the side ahead of Matip, who is simply too slow to be usable in such a pace-dominated game as FIFA 22.

7 RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold (87)

Trent Alexander-Arnold Stats

Rounding off the defense is Trent Alexander-Arnold. The young Englishman has phenomenal passing, and his 92 crossing with 87 curve and 90 long passing stats mean he can pick out insane long balls and will bag plenty of assists.

While not the quickest fullback, with a modest 78 pace, Trent makes up for it in his all-round ability, and much like Robertson on the other side, his creativity and high attacking work rate emphasize just how effective he is going forward.

6 CDM – Fabinho (86)

Fabinho stats

Starting off the midfield is a player who could easily slot in at center-back if needed. With defensive stats such as 88 interceptions and 86 defensive awareness, the Brazilian will break up attacks and protect the back line with no issues.

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Physically, his 88 stamina is vital as he will have plenty of work to do defensively, but solid passing means he can also spray balls forward and build attacks too, while his high defensive work rate means he will track back whenever required.

5 CM – Jordan Henderson (84)

Jordan Henderson stats

Next up is Jordan Henderson. With an 84 rating and no stats above 90, Henderson is lacking a little of the stardust sprinkled on some of his flashier teammates. But if solid, hardworking, and gritty midfield play is what’s required, look no further than this guy.

With no serious weakness in any department, he is perfect for that box-to-box role and will link defense to attack brilliantly, while being solid and dependable in the middle.

4 CM – Thiago (86)

Thiago stats

Alongside Henderson and completing the midfield trio is Thiago. The Spaniard has an 86 rating in FIFA 22 which includes 90 dribbling, 91 agility, and 90 balance, making him incredible on the ball. Although his 59 strength means he does lose the physical battle, the ball feels glued to his boot when dribbling, so he can work his way out of the tightest spaces.

Another bonus is the five-star skill moves, which make using Thiago just incredibly fun for those who love to spam tricks and add a little flair to their build-up play.

3 LW – Sadio Mane (89)

Mane stats

On the left wing is a man who has now moved to Bayern Munich in the real world. Fortunately for fans of Liverpool, in FIFA 22 he’s still at Anfield and is possibly the first name on the team sheet.

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With four-star skills, a four-star weak foot, and 91 pace, Mane is almost unplayable in wide areas, equally able to blast past defenders with raw speed or take them on using footwork. Once through on goal, 86 finishing means he rarely fluffs his lines, and can just as easily provide for teammates by cutting balls back across goal.

2 RW – Mohamed Salah (90)

Mo Salah stats

The opposite wing sees the Egyptian King Mo Salah as another easy choice when playing with Liverpool. Much like Mane, his pace, shooting and dribbling stats are all world-class, and as soon as he cuts in onto that deadly left foot it’s almost a certain goal.

Just as effective as a center-forward, Salah’s 91 finishing is as good as almost any attacker, while his 91 positioning means he’s always on the end of crosses or through balls and ready to tap home anything in the box.

1 CF – Diogo Jota (83)

Jota stats

Finally, we have the false nine or deep-lying forward role. Although Roberto Firmino has been a mainstay in the Liverpool side of recent times, the signing of Diogo Jota has provided a superb option up top for the Anfield outfit.

Alongside 85 dribbling and 84 finishing, it’s Jota’s 87 acceleration, coupled with a five-star weak foot, that sees him get into the team ahead of Firmino. This gives him the ability to burst through onto long balls and evade defenders, either scoring himself or providing for both of the elite wingers.

FIFA 22 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and Google Stadia.

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