- Anfield Index

Liverpool ended a run of four consecutive league defeats with a 2-0 away victory at Bramall Lane. Tactically, they made a few changes, but their performance was mostly in step with recent matches. Setting up in their native 4-3-3, with the unchanged front three supported by a midfield three of Jones, Wijnaldum and Thiago. In defence Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak and Robertson played in front of Adrian, who deputised for Alisson. Liverpool's used Alexander-Arnold in a deeper position, to support both …

The Times’ David Walsh called Liverpool’s 5-1 deconstruction of Arsenal “their best performance of the season”. Liverpool barely pushed themselves. This was a clinical, ruthless and efficient dismembering of Arsenal, and precisely why Pep Guardiola said Liverpool are "the best team in the world right now". To thoroughly outplay Arsenal, score five goals, and create opportunities for at least two more, are doing so without breaking a sweat, and while needlessly opening up space for Arsenal to exploit was intimidatingly …

"It was a joy to watch, to be honest." - Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp was all-smiles as he delivered his post-match press conference, and who could bemoan him for being so, after such a strong performance from Liverpool. The Holy Trinity of Salah, Firmino and Mané not only bagged a goal apiece but thrived and attacked with intensity across the match. Liverpool's full-backs, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, shone too with their offensive contributions remarkable, consistent and at a high …

It might just be me, but I do love a good-old 0-2 victory. Indeed, this was Liverpool's first 2-0 league victory of the season. And we should not knock that at all, a 2-0 is an underrated scoreline, it usually means control by one side within a fair game, a game in which the opposition is resolute enough to not concede more, but the winning team is focussed enough to not concede at all. That's a massive generalisation, and not …

Well it's international break so unfortunately there has been no club football to comment on from the weekend *groans*. Happily, what it does do is allow a bit of time to reflect on things from the last few weeks - in particular a couple of defensive issues. Under Brendan Rodgers' management, Liverpool have used a number of different shapes. Just eleven games into the league season, at least four basic formations have been used - 4-2-3-1, 3-4-1-2, 3-1-4-2 and 4-4-2. …

On Saturday, Arsenal became only the 2nd team next to Southampton to beat Liverpool in the league since February 11th this year. There will be varying opinions on the biggest attribute to these improvements, especially concerning which system of play will provide the most success. Many Liverpool FC associated writers and fans have spoken in recent months about the potential gains to be had by Brendan Rodgers through the utilisation of the 4-4-2 diamond formation. Rodgers has even mentioned it …

Arsenal for their part started in their usual 4-2-3-1 shape. Arteta and Ramsey started as the holding midfielders, although Ramsey didn't particularly play as a holding player, preferring to get forward and combine with Cazorla, Ozil, Rosicky and the lone striker Giroud. This was at risk of leaving Arteta isolated on transition defence. Liverpool continued with their 3-5-2, keeping the same midfield shape as they did last week against West Brom with Lucas as the pivot just in front of …