Van Dijk & Keita | Posing A New Threat From Deep
I started writing a tactical piece a few months ago which was set to be titled ‘How to Stop Liverpool’. This was around the time that Liverpool suffered two bad results at Anfield in the space of a week by drawing with both West Brom and Everton despite dominating the ball in both matches. The reason I looked to write that piece was because it seemed so easy to nullify Liverpool when watching each game - by simply allowing Liverpool’s …
Tactical Analysis: Breaking Down Arsenal 3-3 Liverpool
It took some doing for Liverpool to best their most ridiculous performance of the season, but somehow they managed to do it. Unlike the Sevilla fixture though, Liverpool only surrendered control for a brief handful of minutes: but that was more than enough for Arsenal to sweep in and turn the game on its head. Yet, were it not for a few moments of madness, we would likely be here, hailing a magnificent performance from Liverpool, once again.
https://twitter.com/Caley_graphics/status/944324234150645765
https://twitter.com/GoalCharts/status/944894603110514688
In …
Liverpool's perfect performance: Tactical masterclass?
Liverpool's demolition of Bournemouth appeared to be one of the complete performances of the season. Utterly dominant and prepotent in the first half, Liverpool romped to victory, with a pressing, passing and offensive performance which defied all expectations.
https://twitter.com/Caley_graphics/status/942502495582113797
To me, Liverpool looked distinctly better with their passing. Indeed, Liverpool had an 88pc passing accuracy, whilst retaining 56pc of the possession. In terms of the number of passes, Liverpool made 655. Considering this, I wondered if there was a way to …
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: A Fair Result?
Liverpool's one-all draw with Chelsea was a disappointing result to take given the scoreline in the 84th minute. The manner of Willian's goal, a floated cross which found its way into the top corner, only compounded the fans' disappointment, after surrendering a three goal lead, away from home, in midweek.
The discussion about the game itself begun well before kick-off, with Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino rested on the bench, with Sturridge and Oxlade-Chamberlain brought in, whilst Milner was also, surprisingly, …
How did Liverpool outplay West Ham?
Whilst watching Liverpool thrash West Ham, I didn't quite know what was going on, but I liked it. Now, I've rewatched the game to get some semblance of what happened, and why it panned out the way it did. Instead of looking at the goals today, we'll be looking essentially at the story of the game - how Liverpool set up, what they took advantage of, and differences compared to other recent games.
A good place to start when looking …
Liverpool FC and The Dreaded U-Shape
Liverpool's last two matches have both ended with impressive score-lines, with six goals and none conceded. However, despite the two 3-0 wins, both of Liverpool's performances have been somewhat flat and lacklustre. The opponents in these past two matches both opted to employ low defensive blocks with no real intention to play or score a goal, so Liverpool had the relatively simple task of having 90 minutes to basically break those teams down.
However, although that may appear simple, and …
Liverpool 3-0 Huddersfield: A Tactical Breakdown
A calming remedy to the farcical display at Wembley against Spurs, but a hurdle which Liverpool were always expected to jump over rather comfortably. Liverpool's 3-0 victory, for the opening 45 minutes threatened to be a washout, as the Reds struggled, with an all-too-familiar drabness. In the second-half though, Liverpool sprung into life, with both Sturridge and Firmino scoring, and Wijnaldum capping the display off towards the end. But this was a break from some of the patterns we've seen …
The Game of Errors - Spurs 4-1 Liverpool
I could scarcely believe my eyes, indeed, I was predisposed to turn off the television and hide. Yet even then, I couldn't bear to even cover my eyes, and instead watched in shock as Liverpool fell apart inside 20 minutes.
Twenty minutes later though, and Liverpool were a few mere minutes away from somehow getting through to half-time a single goal down, despite Spurs' early dominance, then came the killer blow; the goal that ended the match before the second-half …
Tactical Breakdown of Liverpool's Magnificent Seven against Maribor
For several weeks, Liverpool's results have not quite reflected their performances, and even I was beginning to wonder whether persisting with the same approach would be the best route to a confidence-restoring win, after some disappointing results. It seems that more of the same really was the best medicine though, as Liverpool utterly trounced Maribor, away from home in the Champions League.
Shots (on target)
MAR: 5 (2)
LIV: 26 (14) 26pc conversion rate
(Six-yard box/18-yard box/ outside box) 12/62/27
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If anyone can, Emre Can - Analysing Can's performance vs United
Against United, we saw the perfect example of why player performance needs to be analysed from two sides - 'on the ball' plus 'off the ball'.
Emre Can's display at Anfield on Saturday was outstanding. If you don't believe me, then please read on.
On the Ball
Can had 72 touches against United. This was the 5th highest number of 'on the ball' possessions after Henderson, Lovren, Matip and Moreno. For all of his involvement, Can was only dispossessed twice …