When did Liverpool's tactics become so predictable?
I’m sure I’ve written the start of this article about a million times this season – but here we are again.
Another game, another disappointment or so it seems with this Liverpool side that lulled us into a false sense of security with a convincing win over Arsenal last weekend.
Against Real Madrid however, it was a totally different story. A first half horror show saw the Reds fighting an uphill battle for the remaining 135 minutes of the tie, …
Analysis: What went wrong against Real Madrid?
Whenever Liverpool lose, there's always a bit of a scramble for someone to come up with a definitive answer as to why it happened. It doesn't necessarily have to be the right answer, just the first one.
After all, it's easier to process and accept if there's only one issue. We've all heard about how the high defensive line is a problem. The press isn't the same either, with the Reds being a little more standoffish than usual. There have …
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool: Observations as Vinicius dents improbable dream
Mohamed Salah's away goal means a 2-0 win at Anfield will see Liverpool qualify for the Champions League semifinals. The '2' is feasible but, after a hapless defensive display, the 'nil' less so.
The strong likelihood is that Jurgen Klopp's dark horses will fall at this fence. They were incredibly poor in the first half and passable in the second. This may be a far cry from the Real Madrid that was crowned kings of Europe for three years in …
Lacklustre Liverpool On Champions League Knife Edge After Madrid Defeat
Liverpool's Champions League hopes are on a knife-edge after a 3-1 defeat away to Real Madrid.
The hosts took a 2-0 lead half-time through goals from Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio in a dominant 45-minute display. The Reds improved in the second period and half the deficit to 2-1 after Mohamed Salah scored, but any hopes of a comeback were quashed when Vinicius completed his brace with a low shot past Alisson.
Overall, the visitors -- who would have been …
Tactical Breakdown: Arsenal 0-3 Liverpool
Liverpool won 3-0 at the Emirates, to breathe life back into their hopes of redeeming their league campaign, with goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.
Systems
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal set up in a 4-2-3-1 on ball shape, and a 4-5-1 off ball system.
Thomas Partey and Dani Ceballos were paired together in a double-pivot. Martin Ødegaard was deployed as the no.10, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pépé either side of him. Alexandre Lacazette played up top.
Jürgen Klopp's side …
Will Liverpool Repeat Relegation Signing Trick With Sander Berge
If you analyze Liverpool's transfer business over the last few years, one thing sticks out: they are not shy of signing players from relegated clubs.
Georginio Wijnaldum, a key cog in the club's recent successes, arrived from relegated Newcastle United in the summer of 2016. Likewise, Andy Robertson -- arguably the world's finest left-back -- joined Liverpool from the demoted Hull City in the summer window of 2017. To complete the hattrick, Xherdan Shaqiri swapped Championship bound Stoke for Anfield …
Potential Ibrahima Konate Purchase Shows Liverpool's Pulling Power
Liverpool will trigger Red Bull Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate's €40M release clause before signing the Frenchman in the summer, according to reports from The Athletic.
The 22-year-old centre half is one of Europe's foremost young central defenders and any move for the 6'4" stopper will represent a coup for the Reds, even if Konate has had his fair share of injuries in the recent past.
Should the transfer come to fruition -- and, according to the report in the Athletic, …
How Liverpool identify centre-backs
It might not necessarily be a good thing, but Liverpool do have a type.
They know what they want from their attackers with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota all sharing a number of similar traits and metrics.
On one hand, it is positive that the Reds know exactly the sort of player they want in the final third. If we’re being overly critical, you can make the point that it makes them somewhat predictable in the market. Selling …
Konate Throws Liverpool Gauntlet Down To Kabak
A penny for Ozan Kabak thought's?
After a rocky opening few games in his Liverpool career, the recently turned 21-year-old defender has exuded calm and confidence -- far belying his tender years -- in his most recent appearances.
It was taken for granted that the Turkish international, who is on loan from Germany's Schalke, would have the £18M clause in his contract triggered that would allow him to move to Anfield on a permanent basis.
But now, it appears as …
International Break To Provide Liverpool With Rare Boost
For many years, Liverpool fans would watch football during the international break between the cracks of their fingers.
Several of the Reds' players -- most notably Daniel Sturridge with England -- have picked up lengthy injuries while representing their country, thanks to archaic training regimens(see Roy Hodgson testing Sturridge's "resolve") or -- as was the case with Naby Keita with Guinea -- shocking tackles on substandard pitches.
There was also the timing of the breaks, which -- given Liverpool's brilliant …