Tactical Analysis: Van Dijk Shines as Reds Pass Turf Moore Test
The stage was set for Liverpool to drop their first points of their new campaign. No sooner had the referee ushered the ball towards the centre circle to kickstart proceedings, than Sean Dyche was seen gesticulating towards his players to kick the ball long towards the Liverpool defence. Why? Well, as Sean Dyche pointed out without any concern for subtlety, the sun was shining directly into the eyes of Liverpool's defence and keeper. The message was clear: hit early long …
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal: A Tactical Breakdown
After a series of underwhelming performances, Liverpool's victory against Arsenal was a significant step in the right direction. Whereas in previous games, Liverpool had conceded a number of chances, and defended poorly, through not pressing effectively or making positional errors, the fixture on Saturday evening was far more akin to the efficient, composed and effective performances which came to define Liverpool's ruthless machine-like intensity over the course of last season.
Liverpool set up in their typical 4-3-3 formation, but whereas …
Liverpool 4-1 Norwich: A Tactical Breakdown
Liverpool's Premier League game against Norwich was the first genuine test Jürgen Klopp's men have faced since becoming European Champions. This was the first occasion in which points were at stake, the team would be able to set a marker and display their intent for the season.
The scoreline indicates a strong performance, and the side picking up from where it left off. Yet there were a number of signs that indicate both change and qualitative variance compared to last …
Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich: A Tactical Breakdown
There are very few clubs with the prestige and history of Bayern Munich. Irrespective of their current form or standing, when a club such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Barcelona are set to visit, everyone sits a little straighter. These fixtures are precisely what makes Europe's premier competition the best club competition in the world, in any sport.
Yet when Bayern Munich were drawn against Liverpool, it was one of the few occasions that they were not immediately considered …
Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City: A Tactical Breakdown
With a number of injuries and a suspension to deal with, even after the team sheets were announced, it was unclear exactly how Liverpool would set up. Initial reports indicated Gini Wijnaldum would fill in at right-back, in Alexander-Arnold's absence, but instead, it was club captain, Jordan Henderson who would feature there, and Naby Keïta who would function as one of the pivots in the 4-2-3-1 system.
Liverpool's setup
Henderson and Robertson played as the Liverpool full-backs, and functioned tactically as the …
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool: A Tactical Breakdown
The beautiful game, and two of its best proponents in a tête-à-tête. Manchester City, the Emirati bankrolled behemoth, against Liverpool; the old kid on the block, desperate to reclaim lost territory. Guardiola, the purist football scholar versus Klopp, an underappreciated genius.
It was supposed to be a tight game. It wasn't. One team was clearly better than the other, and it was Liverpool.
However, it was literally decided by fine margins - two stellar pieces of individual skill by Manchester …
Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle: A Tactical Breakdown
Liverpool FC vs. Newcastle United FC; it's one of the most historic games in the Premier League, supposedly always meant to be a toe-to-toe, all-action, enigmatic thriller. Add in the magic of Boxing Day - a day which Liverpool have not lost a league match on for over twenty years - and the return of Rafael Benitez, and there was a recipe for something fantastic.
Newcastle are not the force they once were though, and despite their manager, on a …
Wolverhampton 0-2 Liverpool: A Tactical Breakdown
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been a breath of fresh air to the Premier League. They may have been bankrolled by Jorge Mendes, but their enthralling style, talent-filled roster, and seriously cool manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, have rightfully garnered the praise of pundits and fans across the country.
Wolves are no pushover side though, in games against Arsenal and Spurs, they outscored the opposition in xG, and were extremely unfortunate to draw and lose in those respective games, whilst they also managed …
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United: A Tactical Breakdown
There is no other game which manages to unnerve me like playing Manchester United does. Irrespective of form or quality, as matchday approaches, I fill with dread. On the morning of a match, I can barely eat. Perhaps it's the years of torment at school after losing, and unexplainable events which always seem to favour United that has caused this. Nonetheless, despite Liverpool's greatest ever start to a Premier League season, and mere minutes before the teams were announced, all I …
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham: A Tactical Breakdown
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