- Anfield Index

The manager knows better than you. That is often read as a conversation ender when it should be the beginning. Liverpool have a detail-oriented, world class manager who makes decisions that do not fit with popular opinion among casual fans, nor do they comport with the analysis of those who spend ungodly amounts of time collecting statistical minutia on our beloved Reds. The discussion often feels like, “what is Klopp thinking?” in a purely negative sense, especially an hour before …

Over the course of the season I've been breaking down a number of Liverpool's matches in both the Premier League and Champions League, however, this week I was asked to do something rather different instead, and scout Real Madrid for the AEye Scouted pod, hosted by Dave Hendrick. Below are the key findings of my 12 game scouting exercise - essentially my notes - and a blueprint of sorts for as to how Liverpool might be able to beat Real …

What a season. Liverpool have qualified for their second consecutive Champions League campaign by securing automatic qualification for the first time since 2008/09. They have also have finished with 75 points, one less than last season's tally (76), which is also the record for fourth spot. Mo Salah has broken the all-time Premier League record for goals scored with his 32nd of the season whilst his teammates in the front three - Mané and Firmino - have notched themselves 10 …

Fine lines. The thinnest of margins. The point at which dreamland meets bedlam. Where delirium bisects mayhem. That's where Liverpool fans found themselves as they watched the unthinkable happen. Liverpool had pressed Manchester City into submission in January, but Pep Guardiola, the greatest manager and tactical innovator of his generation would surely not let it happen again, would he? Acutely aware of the pressing prowess of Liverpool, Guardiola set City up with Fernandinho in the same position as he was in …

After the international break, it's always interesting to see how a team performs, and Liverpool appeared to start brightly against Palace, but soon it became clear that if Liverpool were to take anything from this game, they needed to really work for it, as simple passes went astray, and frustration built up. If you watched the game, it was plain to see what Palace were trying to do, with runners working off Benteke's second ball, what we're focussing on though …

Horses for courses With Jurgen Klopp showing an encouraging level of pragmatism following the Spurs game, he deserves a great deal of credit. Whilst his squad is not yet at the level he would want, he is maximising what he has at his disposal. An interesting recent tactical development is the use of the 442, arguably a precursor for things to come next season. Many have spoken about a 4231/424, but essentially Klopp used a fluid 442 against West Ham …

Jurgen Klopp hasn't had it easy since taking over as Liverpool boss. He's had to cope with an injury crisis  of unparalleled proportions. It's not often you have your three first choice strikers out injured as well as your captain. Not only this though, he's had to put up with the British media way of things. The media, pundits and even fans have all been saying the same thing lately. "Has Jurgen Klopp changed anything?" "Has he done anything Brendan …