Liverpool's Midfield Balance Without Gerrard
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reached new heights during his second season at the club, seeing his team finish 2nd in the league, just 2 points behind eventual winners Manchester City. After several seasons of disappointment, the Liverpool team looked rejuvenated under Rodgers, striking 101 goals over the course of the campaign and doing so in the most attractive of fashion; Suarez and Sturridge leading the line with 19-year-old Raheem Sterling operating at the peak of a diamond represented arguably the …
How Rodgers' Tactical Changes were Thwarted | Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
It was around this point last season that Liverpool were playing a back three. The basic idea behind it was to free up Sturridge and Suarez, allowing them to to play up front together whilst keeping a strong enough base behind them. This system lasted just over a month until the 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates, where Rodgers switched to a narrow 4-4-2 at half-time and from then on in, kept a back four for the rest of the campaign.
To …
In-Depth Analysis: What’s Wrong with Liverpool FC this Season?
What a difference a summer break makes. Brendan Rodgers had Liverpool playing some of the best attacking football the Premier League had ever seen during the latter stages of last season, but now the Northern Irishman is facing question marks over his credentials and player signing policy. Seemingly, Liverpool have morphed into an ugly duckling version of themselves. A version of themselves that cannot break down supposedly weaker teams, a version of themselves that relies on individuals rather than the …
Liverpool FC: A Case For The Defence?
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Liverpool v FC Basel Preview: Opposition Scouting and Info
On their return to Champions League football after a five year absence, Liverpool made hard work of a home fixture against Ludogorets Razgrad - the so-called minnows of group B. Next week they embark on a trip to the home of perennial Swiss champions, FC Basel, who have a history of troubling English sides in European competition.
Last season the RotBlau beat Chelsea home and away in the Champions League group stages, but failed to qualify for the knock-out round …
Liverpool FC: What Do We Need To Do To Save Our Season?
This article is being written in the immediate aftermath of a Jagielka thunderbolt that robbed two points from Anfield. What was a very decent performance from the Reds, was let down but the inability to put the ball in the net to secure all the points. Points we were definitely in need of. At the time of writing (i.e. before the rest of the weekend's fixtures have been played), Liverpool lie in 10th position, with just seven points from their …
The Build-Up Phases in Liverpool's Diamond Formation
Since the introduction of the diamond system into the Liverpool team last season, the overall performance of the team improved radically. This article aims to look at the various build-up plays that are involved in the 4-3-1-2 system or the diamond system, as it is commonly known.
The basic principle in this system is to control the game while holding possession of the ball but also have the option of making a fast counter attack when opponents lose possession on …
How the First 10 Games Could Define Liverpool's Season
Anyone who follows me on Twitter will have noticed that I like to break a season down into groups of five games. Why? Well it’s an easy way to monitor how Liverpool are doing in relation to their goals for the season.
2013/14 was all about getting back into the Champions league. I worked out that if Liverpool were achieving 10 out of the 15 points available in every group of five games, they would have a very good chance …
Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool: A Year of Learning
It is at times required to look back to find focus on what lies ahead. As has been recited in articles, podcasts, and books alike, Liverpool's remarkable achievements last season were unfathomable, especially when one considers the obstacles and interrogations of Rodgers' ability which were met en route.
Unfortunately, many believe 'Brenton Fraudgers' will be found out next year, with a number of fans and pundits citing a lack of preparation time this season due to European competition as one of …
Replacing Suarez's Goals
He's finally gone. Weeks of negotiations have seen the third best player in the world move to Barcelona for £75m. Many have said this is too cheap, especially when you consider the 'less good' Gareth Bale, moved for £80m just last season. However, Bale has never bitten anyone, nor (supposedly) racially abused someone and wasn't serving a four month ban. So £75m is probably the best we could hope for, and Barcelona got a £100m player at a discount (for …