Midfield

Liverpool’s Blunt Midfield Needs Sharpening

Ever since the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley in the second game of the Premier League season there have been concerns as to whether or not Liverpool can break down teams who look to park the bus. It's been a slow burner with the Reds putting the likes of Leicester City, Watford and...

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur – Key Battles

That dreaded 10-game spell is a thing of the past. Liverpool played a game every Tuesday or Wednesday in January and for the first time since mid-December, they have got a full week to prepare for Tottenham's visit to Anfield on Saturday. It was a week that Jurgen Klopp started with giving the players a...

A Missing Link For Liverpool

Lots has been made this season over the transformation of Adam Lallana into the finest English footballer currently within the Premier League. Like many at Anfield, Lallana hasn’t been without his critics since joining from Southampton, but he has overcome them spectacularly, fitting seamlessly into Jurgen Klopp’s high intensity style of football. The German’s admiration...

Was Jordan Henderson the Balance Weight for Liverpool FC?

It’s true what they say you know. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I’ve been pretty vocal in the past about my concerns surrounding Jordan Henderson operating in the number 6 role for Liverpool but it’s clear as day he’s been missed in recent matches. In games against Sunderland, Plymouth (admittedly with a...

Analysing Emre Can’s Performance Against Sunderland

The disappointing 2-2 draw against Sunderland was the first Premier League match Liverpool have been without Jordan Henderson all season. The captain has been a bit of a divisive figure amongst fans since Jurgen Klopp moved him to a slightly more withdrawn role, which has seen him operate as a number 6. He's expected...

Gini & Emre: Why Do We Have To Choose One Or The Other?

Imagine not being able to love both Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso at the same time. Or Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher. That would be mad, wouldn't it? Bizarrely, however, this is the position we find ourselves in with Liverpool’s current midfield generals Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can - two brilliant but hugely contrasting...

Where Data Meet Tactics: Ball Retention and Loss of Possession

These words were written to accompany the following graphic, and provide further context to the data. https://twitter.com/AIUnderPressure/status/804631753591816192 Working Out The first important piece of context regarding this graphic is that it’s not based on passes. It’s based on losses of possession due to a poor touch or an unsuccessful dribble. The numbers were calculated by dividing losses of...

Jordan Henderson and Out of Context Stats

In hindsight it was probably definitely naive of me to write an article highlighting my concerns about Jordan Henderson's ability on the ball when the opposition press him. I was under the impression that you were allowed to point out a player's weakness and not simultaneously hate him. But alas, it was perhaps a quixotic...

Henderson – A Leader At Last

Happy Klopp anniversary everyone! Ok, I'm a little late. Sorry. Nonetheless, during these lengthy and joyous annual celebrations of Anfield life under Klopp, I’ve decided to take a look at our captain, Jordan Henderson, and what’s changed for the skipper under his manager. As he hardly played under Rodgers last season due to injury, it’s...

Liverpool v Hull City: Key Battles

Liverpool have won three games in three after the first international break of the season, and the last league victory at Stamford Bridge would have been a huge boost to everyone at the club. On Saturday, the Reds welcome Hull City to Anfield for the second home game of the season. The Tigers have got only...