Midfield

A Tactical Analysis of Christian Benteke vs Stoke

Christian Benteke was the topic of much debate this summer amongst Liverpool fans, myself included. I wasn't sure if his style would suit how I pictured Liverpool playing, I had my concerns about his goalscoring record when you scratched beneath the surface of it and what worried me most was his lack of movement in...

Liverpool FC 15/16 | 5 Strategic Keys to Champions League Football

PART 1 OF 2 Preface As Liverpool fans close a chapter on last season, many are left to ponder if the club will come to rue a missed and golden opportunity, which in the grander context of British and European football, may well be the start of a new challenge in the English Premier League for...

Stoke 0-1 Liverpool: In-Depth Tactical Analysis

The first game of the season is always difficult to analyse. Some players are not quite match sharp yet. New signings often aren't fully gelled in yet. New tactical concepts and adjustments haven't yet been fully processed and the overall cohesion and game play is often a little off. As such, the first game...

Do Liverpool Have Squad Depth in Midfield?

Much has been made this summer about Liverpool buying in bulk again. Many fans believe we now have the numbers to compete in the many competitions we'll be involved in this coming season. The question is however not 'if' Liverpool have the numbers but whether they've got the requisite quality? After all, numbers don't...

Heroes of our Past: Xabi Alonso

In the summer of 2004, there was a renaissance underway at Anfield.  Liverpool replaced Gerard Houllier with a new man on the touchline in former Valencia manager, Rafa Benitez. Freshly off his second La Liga title in only three seasons at the Mestalla, the Spaniard was set to bring a winning mentality and tenacity...

High Press Could Mean No Defensive Midfielder?

Sam McGuire wrote this article before jetting off to Egypt and it links in nicely with the Sean O'Driscoll rumours. The season is still two months away from the opening game but people have already started asking others how they think the team will line up next season. One thing the majority have mentioned is...

The ‘DM’ Conundrum – How Could They Add Goals?

Shouts for a defensive-midfielder (or more commonly termed as ‘DM’) has never been louder than it has in the summer of 2015. Gone were the days of having a defensive stalwart in midfield – the days of Graeme Souness, Dietmar Hamann, and Javier Mascherano. Varieties of midfielders have since occupied the deepest spot in...

We Need to Talk About Kevin…Volland

With the current occupant of the Liverpool number 31 number looking to be on their way out of the club it looks as though the club have already identified a player to take it over: Kevin Volland. Someone at Liverpool has been playing Football Manager. Not long after the announcement of a certain Roberto Firmino...

Does Milner’s arrival condemn Can to another year in defence?

For the most part of the 2014-15 Premier League season, Emre Can was selected as part of a three-man defensive unit, despite playing in midfield for the majority of his career. The 21-year-old, who made 40 appearances in his maiden season at Anfield in all competitions, is neat and tidy in possession, while he isn’t afraid...

No Change Means More Pain for Liverpool!

It has been a while since I have penned my thoughts. I have read so many articles and blogs from my fellow reds on our poor season and Brendan Rodgers’ failings this season. I have tried not to jump to any firm conclusions without taking the time to form my own opinions and thoughts....