Could 4222 Shape Be Liverpool's Next Tactical Step?
As much as Arsenal fans on the internet will tell you otherwise, the Community Shield is a glorified friendly and its importance should be framed as such.
There were, however, some interesting takeaways for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw -- and subsequent penalty shootout defeat, again -- with the Gunners at Wembley.
Namely the switch in shape from the Reds' usual 433 alignment to a 4222 shape or, as its also known, the box midfield.
https://twitter.com/JDNalton/status/1299753022894018561?s=20
In every pre-season since …
Balance the Key to Fixing Liverpool's 4-3-3
At the start of the season, before a ball had been kicked, the assumption was that Liverpool would end the season with a first choice midfield of Fabinho, Keita and one other midfielder. Liverpool’s two new, big money, acquisitions were expected to dominate the team sheet sooner or later, and the question of which of the remaining trio – Milner, Henderson or Wijnaldum – would fit the third midfield slot.
Since then, that particular question has been rather emphatically answered …
Liverpool's Pre-Season - Five Things to Keep an Eye On
Ever since Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool manager he has stressed the importance of having time with his squad on the training pitch. With pre-season being the ideal opportunity for the German to set-out his masterplan for the forthcoming season, let's take a look at five areas we should be keeping a close eye on this summer.
The Formation
Over the course of the past two preseason's Klopp has had with the squad, it has become pretty apparent which formation the …
Liverpool's 3-4-3 – Just how ‘radical’ is it?
Liverpool’s ‘new’ 3-4-2-1 formation has been widely acclaimed by pundits, fans and the media alike. Brendan Rodgers has been, rightly, praised for his brave decision to make such a ‘radical’ change at such an important stage in Liverpool’s season. There have been a number of articles focusing on the new formation; recently the excellent @SamMcGuire90 theorised that Liverpool’s upturn in form was due to the player’s employed in keys position’s in the system rather than the system itself. The theory …
Graft, Craft and How to Fill "The Lucas Role"
Getting the right mix of grafters and crafters is vital to a team's success. A grafter is the type of player who makes up for any failings in natural technical ability through sheer blood, guts and endeavour. Think Dirk Kuyt. On the opposite end of the scale you have crafters, players who have a very high level of technical ability but are are more tactile in their play. Jordan Henderson fits into this box.
Liverpool's squad has many players who immediately …