I'm 99% certain the layout she did at WTT was just a "quick and easy" way to get the 3A out there in Japan. No way would she use it for a serious competition: she's only repeated one triple (3T), and included the 3F but not a second 3Lz (despite the 3Lz being easier for Liza, likely to net her more GOE, and having higher BV). It was a test to see how she could handle a layout with all the different triples, and she passed, for the most part (just popping the 3Lo).
I suspect that next year, she'll replace the solo 2A with a 3Lz. Taking out one of the triples might be easier, but three axels could be asking for Zayak trouble if she pops. (Another solution is to bring bring 3Lz-3T back and not do the 3S-2A SEQ).
There's no innate choreographic problem with doing the 3A up top. If the music begins with a bang, then 3A as the first element makes perfect sense. Liza's current programs just weren't designed for the 3A. Hopefully her programs next year will be.
And let's face it, pretty much every woman who has landed 3A decided to do it at the start. There's no advantage of doing it later unless you're crazy and want the halfway bonus. We shouldn't expect the layout to change--instead, we should hope they find music that works with the layout.
: That was the first attempt right? Even still, throwing out all these tiny events and going with 2/3 from the Worlds events, still pretty decent.
