Do Liverpool Need a Creative Midfielder to Break Down Defensive Teams?
On the most recent edition of the Tactics Weekly pod, host Daniel Rhodes quizzed Paul Dalglish in an AI:PRO Q&A Special (you can listen for FREE for one week). One particular question (below) posed was that of breaking down defensive sides, an issue Liverpool have had for quite a while - harking back to troubles under Rodgers.
Do Liverpool need a creative CM to break down a low block, or is the positional play (i.e. width & using the pace …
Why one player alone can't replace Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool
Philippe Coutinho is leaving Liverpool. This won't come as a surprise to many as it was pretty clear since the player went on strike in the summer that it was only going to be a matter of time. Many supporters including myself are however extremely concerned about losing Coutinho this month. The Reds are in great form, 17 games unbeaten across all competitions, comfortably in the top 4 just 3 points behind second-place Manchester United and into the last 16 …
Key Stats From Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Liverpool were in scintillating form once again as they took apart Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium in order to move back into the Premier League’s top four, with Mo Salah and Phil Coutinho once again the stars of the show. But what were the stats that jumped out at me from the game?
Away Hot Streak
https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/942460331175096320
There are plenty of stats to fall under this topic, but let’s start with the one above. I’ve mentioned before that Liverpool’s …
Key Stats from Brighton 1-5 Liverpool
Liverpool vs Brighton – The Key Stats
The Reds won 5-1 on the South Coast to move 4th in the Premier League, but which stats (or sets of stats), stood out for me?
Coutinho Samba
Whilst Coutinho’s two main stats in this game speak for themselves – one goal and three assists – his underlying stats are exceptional too. Three chances created is very good anyway, but the fact that that culminated in an xA of 0.93 is fantastic; comfortably …
Will Reds Come Up Short with Phil In Midfield?
The run-in to the 2016/17 season gave Liverpool fans a tantalizing view of what’s to come with Phil Coutinho’s move into a central midfield position, picking the ball up from the back and ending the careers of several would-be tacklers on his way forward. With 3 goals to go with an assist in the last two games there is a lot for Reds supporters to be excited about.
Coutinho's West Ham highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8On5xZihFg
Quotes from Klopp suggest that Phil will …
The De-Evolution of Philippe Coutinho
I remember when we signed Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan. I hadn't seen much of him other than a few games at Espanyol and the odd Inter game, one of which being their 4-3 victory over Spurs when Gareth Bale grabbed a hattrick. It was the Welshman that grabbed the headlines but I was quietly impressed by with the Inter number 29.
Such tight close control, an eye for a pass and the technique to execute it. He had that …
Coutinho: Why Confidence and Pressing Matters
The struggles of Philippe Coutinho in recent weeks have been well documented on this website. The diminutive Brazilian hasn't had the best of times since his beautiful long-range winner at Stoke City on the opening day of the season.
So what has been the issue for Coutinho? Lack of options in front of him? Lack of players he trusts around him? External factors causing a loss of confidence? Or all of the above?
Let's look at the lack of options to …
How to Get The Best Out of Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho has been the main topic of a lot of debates so far this season. The mercurial maestro is perceived to be in a lull of form and this inconsistency in his game is becoming all but too familiar for Liverpool fans. It seems whenever the Brazilian international is out of sorts then so is the team and with the Reds chasing top four in a weak-looking league they can't afford to be so erratic.
It's not really news …
Liverpool 2 West Ham 0 - Talking Points: Return of the Dancing Man
The win at Anfield was as far away as you could have got from the disappointment at Upton Park in the reverse fixture in September.
Liverpool dominated and took their chances, while West Ham struggled to impose their own unique brand of physicality on the game and create openings.
In September, Liverpool were effectively bulldozed by a strong and decisive West Ham team on its way to putting together its best ever season. This time round the Reds stood up …
Anfield Index PODCAST: Adam Lallana Special
Episode 32: Adam Lallana Special
Date: 28th June, 2014
With Adam Lallana on the verge of joining Liverpool Football Club the original Anfield Index Podcast crew, John Ritchie, Dave Hendrick and Gags Tandon, re-unite to analyse the signing. They also touch upon the Luis Suarez situation briefly!
All this and more, it's the Anfield Index Podcast!
Download on iTunes (Only subscribers will receive new episodes immediately)
Host: John Ritchie
Guests: Dave Hendrick and Gags Tandon
You can listen to the podcast by using the …